THE  {    .JAN    9    1933 

BOOK  OF  MORMO 


TRANSLATED  BY 

JOSEPH  SMITH,  JR. 


COMPARED  WITH  THE  ORIGINAL  MANUSCRIPT  AND  THE 

KIRTLAND  EDITION   OF    1837,  WHICH   WAS   CARE- 

FULLY  RE-EXAMINED  AND  COMPARED  WITH 

THE  ORIGINAL  MANUSCRIPT  BY  JOSEPH 

SMITH  AND  OLIVER  COWDERY 


AUTHORIZED   EDITION 


LAMONI,  IOWA 

Published  by  the  Board  of  Publication  of  the  Reorganized 
Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter  Day  Saints 

1917 


THE   BOOK   OF   MORMON. 

AN   ACCOUNT  WRITTEN   BY  THE  HAND  OF   MORMON   UPON   PLATES 
TAKEN   FROM   THE  PLATES  OF  NEPHL 

Wherefore,  it  is  an  abridgment  of  the  record  of  the  people  of  Nephi, 
and  also  of  the  Lamanites ;  written  to  the  Lamanites,  who  are  a 
remnant  of  the  house  of  Israel ;  and  also  to  Jew  and  Gentile  ;  written 
by  way  of  commandment,  and  also  by  the  spirit  of  prophecy  and 
of  revelation.  Written,  and  sealed  up,  and  hid  unto  the  Lord,  that 
they  might  not  be  destroyed  ;  to  come  forth  by  the  gift  and  power  of 
God  unto  the  interpretation  thereof ;  sealed  by  the  hand  of  Moroni, 
and  hid  up  unto  the  Lord,  to  come  forth  in  due  time  by  the  way  of 
Gentile ;  the  interpretation  thereof  by  the  gift  of  God. 

An  abridgment  taken  from  the  Book  of  Ether ;  also,  which  is  a 
record  of  the  people  of  Jared ;  who  were  scattered  at  the  time  the 
Lord  confounded  the  language  of  the  people,  when  they  were  build- 
ing a  tower  to  get  to  heaven  :  which  is  to  shew  unto  the  remnant 
of  the  house  of  Israel  what  great  things  the  Lord  hath  done  for  their 
fathers ;  and  that  they  may  know  the  covenants  of  the  Lord,  that 
they  are  not  cast  off  for  ever ;  and  also  to  the  convincing  of  the  Jew 
and  Gentile  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ,  the  Eternal  God,  manifesting 
himself  unto  all  nations.  And  now  if  there  are  faults,  they  are  the 
mistakes  of  men  ;  wherefore,  condemn  not  the  things  of  God,  that  ye 
may  be  found  spotless  at  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ. 

(iii) 


THE   TESTIMONY   OF   THREE   WITNESSES. 

Be  it  known  imto  all  nations,  kindreds,  tongues,  and  people,  unto 
whom  this  work  shall  come,  that  we,  through  the  grace  of  God'  the 
Father,  and  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  have  seen  the  plates  which  con- 
tain this  record,  which  is  a  record  of  the  people  of  Nephi,  and  also 
of  the  Lamanites,  their  brethren,  and  also  of  the  people  of  Jared, 
who  came  from  the  tower  of  which  hath  been  spoken  ;  and  we  also 
know  that  they  have  been  translated  by  the  gift  and  power  of  God, 
for  his  voice  hath  declared  it  unto  us ;  wherefore  we  know  of  a 
surety,  that  the  work  is  true.  And  we  also  testify  that  we  have 
seen  the  engravings  which  are  upon  the  plates ;  and  they  have  been 
shewn  unto  us  by  the  power  of  God,  and  not  of  man.  And  we 
declare  with  words  of  soberness,  that  an  angel  of  God  came  down 
from  heaven,  and  he  brought  and  laid  before  our  eyes,  that  we  beheld 
and  saw  the  plates,  and  the  engravings  thereon  ;  and  we  know  that 
it  is  by  the  grace  of  God  the  Father,  and  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
that  we  beheld  and  bear  record  that  these  things  are  true  ;  and  it  is 
marvelous  in  our  eyes,  nevertheless,  the  voice  of  the  Lord  com- 
manded us  that  we  should  bear  record  of  it ;  wherefore,  to  be 
obedient  unto  the  commandments  of  God,  we  bear  testimony  of 
these  things.  And  we  know  that  if  we  are  faithful  in  Christ,  we 
shall  rid  our  garments  of  the  blood  of  all  men,  and  be  found  spot- 
less before  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ,  and  shall  dwell  with  him 
eternally  in  the  heavens.  And  the  honor  be  to  the  Father,  and  to 
the  Son,  and  to  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  is  one  God.     Amen. 

Oliver      Cowdery. 

David    Whitmer. 

Martin   Harris. 

(iv) 


AND  ALSO  THE  TESTIMONY  OF  EIGHT  WITNESSES. 

Be  it  known  unto  all  nations,  kindreds,  tongues,  and  people,  unto 
whom  this  work  shall  come,  that  Joseph  Smith,  Jr.,  the  translator 
of  this  work,  has  shewn  unto  us  the  plates  of  which  hath,  been 
spoken,  which  have  the  appearance  of  gold  ;  and  as  many  of  the  leaves 
as  the  said  Smith  has  translated,  we  did  handle,  with  iour  hands  :  and 
we  also  saw  the  engravings  thereon,  ■  all  of  which  has  the  appear- 
ance of  ancient  work,  and  of  curious  workmanship.  And  this  we  bear 
record  with  words  of  soberness,  that  the  said  Smith  has  shown  unto 
us,  for  we  have  seen  and  hefted,  and  know  of  a  surety,  that  the  said 
Smith  has  got  the  plates  of  which  we  have  spoken.  And  we  give 
our  names  unto  the  world,  to  witness  unto  the  world  that  which  we 
have  seen  ;  and  we  lie  not,  God  bearing  witness  of  it. 

Christian    Whither. 

Jacob    Whitmer. 

Peter   Whitmer,  Jr. 

John   Whitmer. 

Hiram   Page. 

Joseph    Smith,    Sen. 

Hyrum   Smith. 

Samuel   H.    Smith. 
(V) 


PREFACE. 

At  a  General  Conference  of  the  Reorganized  Church  of  Jesus  Christ 
of  Latter  Day  Saints,  in  April,  190G,  the  following  preamble  and 
resolution    were    adopted : 

"Whereas,  There  are  several  editions  of  the  Book  of  Mormon  extant, 
diflfering  in  divisions  of  chapters  and  paragraphs,  thereby  I'endering 
it  impossible  to  prepare  concordance  and  works  of  reference,  there- 
fore, 

"Resolved,  That  we  recommend  .  .  .  the  appointment  of  a  com- 
mittee ...  to  investigate  and  prepare  a  uniform  plan  for  the  divi- 
sions of  chapters  and  verses,  and,  if  thought  advisable,  to  pi-epare  or 
adopt  a  system  of  references." 

Frederick  M.  Smith,  Heman  C.  Smith,  Richard  S.  Salyards,  Francis 
M.  Sheehy,  Columbus  Scott,  Edmund  L.  Kelley,  and  Frederick  B.  Blair 
were  appointed. 

The  committee  appointed  Frederick  M.  Smith,  Heman  C.  Smith, 
and  Richard  S.  Salyards  as  a  sub-committee  to  do  the  woi*k  of  reversi- 
fication,  etc.,  with  instructions  to  use  the  large-type,  Lamoni  edition 
as  a  basis  ;  to  leave  the  chapters  as  in  the  original  Palmyra  edition. 

The  sub-committee  completed  the  work  of  reversification,  and  in  so 
doing  made  "all  verses  from  the  Book  of  Isaiah  to  correspond  in  their 
divisions"  to  the  versification  of  the  Inspired  Translation  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  and  indicated  such  matter  by  reference  notes. 

The  general  committee  indorsed  the  work  of  the  sub-committee.  It 
concluded  to  broaden  the  scope  of  its  work  by  m-aking  provision  for 
comparison  of  the  Lamoni  edition  with  the  Original  Manuscript  and 
the  Kirtland  edition.  It  adopted  the  following  as  instruction  to  the 
sub-committee  for   the  completion   of  the   work: 

"Resolved,  That  it  be  the  sense  of  this  committee  that  in  the  publi- 
cation of  the  new  work  we  follow  the  corrections  of  the  Book  of 
Mormon  so  as  to  make  the  new  work  in  accordance  with  the  Original 
Manuscript  and  the  Kirtland  edition  of  the  Book  of  Mormon,  pub- 
lished by  Pratt  &  Goodson,  of  1837,  that  the  work  may  be  com- 
pleted as  corrected  by  Joseph  Smith  and  Oliver  Cowdery." 

The  sub-committee  were  authorized  to  "examine  proofs  and  cor- 
rections" according  to  the  foregoing  resolution  :  to  pi-oof-road  the 
matter  as  published ;  and  to  prepare  a  suitable  index.  They  were 
also  instructed  to  indicate  by  paragraph  signs  the  divisions  into  para- 


PREFACE.  vii 

sjrapbs  according  to  tbe  Palmyra  odiiion.  and  to  hand  ovor  th?  work 
for  publication.  . 

Tbe  sub-commifttee  carefully  compared  tbe  Original  Manuscript  wiia 
tbe  Kirtland  and  tbe  large-type  editions.  One  member  of  the  com- 
mittee read  from  tbe  Manuscript,  one  followed  tbe  Kirtland  edition, 
the  other  recorded  all  corrections  in  tbe  large-type  edition.  Tbe 
Manuscript  is  legible;  there  was  little  difficulty  in  reading  it.  They 
also  referred  to  tbe  Palmyra  edition  in  tbe  examination  of  the  test. 
There  is  very  little  difference  in  tbe  paragraphs  in  tbe  Palmyra  and 
tbe   Kirtland  editions. 

The  Preface  to  the  Kirtland  edition  contains  tbe  following  para- 
graph : 

"Individualg  acquainted  with  book  printing,  are  aware  of  the 
numerous  typographical  errors  which  always  occur  in  manuscript 
editions.  It  is  only  necesisary  to  say,  that  the  whole  has  been  carefully 
reexamined  and  comipared  with  tbe  original  manuscripts,  by  Elder 
Joseph  Smith,  Jr.,  the  translator  of  the  Book  of  Mormon,  assisted  by 
tbe  present  printer.  Brother  O.  Cowdery.  who  formerly  wrote  the 
greatest  portion  of  the  same,  as  dictated  by  Brother  Smith." 

Tbe  committee  found  errors,  including  omissions,  in  tbe  Lamoni 
edition  ;  also  some  matter  in  tbe  Original  Manuscript  omitted  in  tbe 
Palmyra  or  tbe  Kirtland  edition,  or  in  both  those  editions ;  such 
omissions  evidently  being  overlooked  in  proof-reading. 

Where  differences  occurred  between  tbe  Manuscript  and  the  Kirt- 
land edition,  the  committee  were  governed  by  the  subject-matter  of 
tbe  context.  There  were  no  material  differences  in  the  sense  of  the 
test  of  the  Manuscript  and  of  tbe  Kirtland  edition. 

Numerous  minor  changes  were  made,  many  of  which  have  improved 
tbe  subject-matter.  Among  the  more  important  corrections  we  note 
tbe  following :  •*.  . 

Concerning  tbe  prohibition  of  polygamy  :  book  of  Jacoi).  cbapvtr 
2  :  6,  7  :  "I  must  testify  vmto  you  concerning  tbe  wickedness  of  your 
hearts"  ;  must,  instead  of  wight.  2  :  45  :  "Behold  ye  have  done  greater 
iniquity  than  the  Lamanites,  our  brethren."  Iniquity,  singular  form, 
specific  ;  instead  of  iniquities  in  other  editions.  Ether  1:16:  "The 
Palmyra  and  Kirtland  editions  both  read,  "thy  families,"  referring  to 
the  brother  of  Jared  and  the  commandment  to  migrate.  The  manu- 
script reads,  "thy  family"  ;  the  singular  instead  of  rb'>  plural  form 
of  tbe  word.     Tbe  text  was  made  to  read  according  to  tbe  manuscript. 

Samples  of  matter  omitted  in  one  or  all  early  editions,  included  in 
this  correct  edition  : 

Book  of  Alma  4:8:  "there  having  been  a  city  built  which  was 
called  the  city  of  Gideon. '  12 :  5 :  "even  as  with  the  power  and 
authority."  15:55:  "yea,  decreeth  unto  them  decrees  which  are 
unalterable."  16  :  157 :  "And  now  behold,  will  not  Ibis  strengthen 
your    faith?     Yea,    it   will   stren^hen   your   faith,   for   ye   will    say,    I 


dii  PREFACE. 

know  that  this  is  a  good  seed,  for  behold,  it  sprouteth  and  beginneth  to 
grow."     25  :  59  :     "yea,  they  would  not  partake  of  wine." 

Book  of  Nephi  2  :  32  :     "and  the  land  which  was  between  the  land 
of  Zarahemla." 
...vSamples   of   corrections: 

'■■fVil  Nephi  3  :  219  :  The  Palmyra  and  Kirtland  editions  read,  "whose 
foundation  is  the  devil":  the  Manuscript  reads,  "founder" ;  the  text 
was  made' to  conform  to  the  Manuscript. 

2  Nephi  12  :  84  :  ''White  and  a  delightsome,"  instead  of  "pure  and  a 
delightsome."  ■   '  !, 

Mosiah,  11  :  190  :     wading,  instead  of  loandering. 

Alma    3  :  89  :      inherit,    instead    of    "enter    the    kingdom."      15  :  27  : 
"where   they   had   pitched   their   tents,"   instead   of   whence.  ••  21  :  lOS: 
"armies"  should  march,  instead  of  servants. 
■  Rook  of  Nephi  1  :  9:     "hniUl  cities,"  instead  of  "fiU  cities." 
,->;  Names  corrected: 

■)-\  Ammeron.,  tor  Ammaron,  wherever  given.  (This  does  not  refer  to 
Aniaron,  book  of  Omni.)  Jeneiim,  instead  of  Joneam,  Mormon  3:15. 
Cianenihah,   insteaiCtot   Camenihah,  wherever  given. 

Mosiah  9  :  170  :  The  Manuscript  reads,  "King  Benjamin  had  a  gift 
from  God"  ;  the  Kirtland  edition  reads,  "King  Mosiah."  The  text  was 
made    to    read,    '-'King    Mosiah." 

The  name  Mosiah  was  inserted  in  brackets  after  the  words  King 
Benjamin  in  book  of  Ether  1  :  95,  in  harmony  with  the  reading  of  the 
book  of  Mosiah  9:  170. 

The  committee  concluded  that  instead  of  providing  marginal  refer- 
ences, a  concordance  to  the  Book  of  Mormon  should  be  provided. 

Frederick    M.    Smith,    Chairman. 
Richard    S.    Sal  yards.    Secretary. 

Lamoni,  Iowa,  July  17,  1908.  -^^U 


THE  ROOK  OF  MORMON 


THE  FIRST  BOOK  OF  NEPHI. 

HIS    REIGN     AND    MINISTRY. 


CHAPTER    1. 

An  account  of  Lehi  and  his  wife  Sariah,  and  his  four  sons, 
being  called  {beginning  at  the  eldest),  Laman,  Lemuel, 
Sam,  and  Nephi.  The  Lord  warns  Lehi  to  depart  out  of 
the  land  of  Jerusalem,  because  he  prophesieth  unto  the 
jjeople  concerning  their  iniquity;  and  they  seek  to  destroy 
his  life.  He  taketh  three  days'  journey  into  the  wilderness 
with  his  family.  Nephi  taketh  his  brethren  and  returns  to 
the  land  of  Jerusalem  after  the  record  of  the  Jews.  The 
account  of  their  sufferings.  They  take  the  daughters  of 
Ish7nael  to  wife.  They  take  their  families  and  depart  into 
the  wilderness.  Their  sufferings  and  afflictions  in  the  ivil- 
derness.  The  course  of  their  travels.  They  come  to  the 
large  waters.  Nephi's  brethren  rebelleth  against  him.  He 
confoundeth  the^n,  and  buildeth  a  ship.  They  call  the  place 
Bountiful.  They  cross  the  large  waters  into  the  promised 
loAid,  &c.  This  is  according  to  the  account  of  Nephi;  or 
in  other  words,  I,  Nephi  wrote  this  record. 
1  ^I,  Nephi,  having  been  born  of  goodly  parents,  therefore 
I  was  taught  somewhat  in  all  the  learning  of  my  father;  and 
having  seen  many  afflictions  in  the  course  of  my  days — never- 
theless, having  been  highly  favored  of  the  Lord  in  all  my 


2  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  1. 

days;  yea,  having  had  a  great  knowledge  of  the  goodness 
and  the  mysteries  of  God,  therefore  I  make  a  record  of  my 
proceedings  in  my  days;  yea,  I  make  a  record  in  the  lan- 
guage of  my  father,  which  consists  of  the  learning  of  the 
Jews  and  the  language  of  the  Egyptians. 

2  And  I  know  that  the  record  which  I  make  is  true;  and 
I  make  it  with  mine  own  hand;  and  I  make  it  according  to 
my  knowledge. 

3  ^For  it  came  to  pass,  in  the  commencement  of  the  first 
year  of  the  reign  of  Zedekiah,  king  of  Judah  (my  father 
Lehi  having  dwelt  at  Jerusalem  in  all  his  days)  ;  and  in  that 
same  year  there  came  many  prophets,  prophesying  unto  the 
people  that  they  must  repent,  or  the  great  city  Jerusalem 
must  be  destroyed. 

4  Wherefore  it  came  to  pass  that  my  father  Lehi,  as  he 
went  forth,  prayed  unto  the  Lord,  yea,  even  with  all  his 
heart,  in  behalf  of  his  people. 

5  TlAnd  it  came  to  pass,  as  he  prayed  unto  the  Lord,  there 
came  a  pillar  of  fire  and  dwelt  upon  a  rock  before  him;  and 
he  saw  and  heard  much ;  and  because  of  the  things  which  he 
'saw  and  heard,  he  did  quake  and  tremble  exceedingly. 

6  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  returned  to  his  own  house 
at  Jerusalem;  and  he  cast  himself  upon  his  bed,  being  over- 
come with  the  Spirit  and  the  things  which  he  had  seen; 

7  And  being  thus  overcome  with  the  Spirit,  he  was  carried 
away  in  a  vision,  even  that  he  saw  the  heavens  open,  and 
he  thought  he  saw  God  sitting  upon  his  throne,  surrounded 
with  num.berless  concourses  of  angels  in  the  attitude  of  sing- 
ing and  praising  their  God. 

8  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  saw  one  descending  out  of 
the  midst  of  heaven,  and  he  beheld  that  his  luster  was  above 
that  of  the  sun  at  noon-day; 

9  And  he  also  saw  twelve  others  following  him,  and  their 
brightness  did  exceed  that  of  the  stars  in  the  firmament;  and 
they  came  down  and  went  forth  upon  the  face  of  the  earth; 

10  And  the  first  came  and  stood  before  my  father,  and  gave 
unto  him  a  book,  and  bade  him  that  he  should  read. 


CHAP.  1.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  3^ 

11  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  as  he  read,  he  was  filled  with 
the  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  and  he  read,  saying,  Wo,  wo  unto 
Jerusalem!    for  I  have  seen  thine  abominations; 

12  Yea,  and  many  things  did  my  father  read  concerning 
Jerusalem — that  it  should  be  destroyed,  and  the  inhabitants 
thereof,  many  should  perish  by  the  sword,  and  many  should 
be  carried  away  captive  into  Babylon. 

13  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  when  my  father  had  read 
and  saw  many  great  and  marvelous  things,  he  did  exclaim 
many  things  unto  the  Lord;  such  as,  Great  and  marvelous 
are  thy  works,  O  Lord  God  Almighty!  Thy  throne  is  high 
in  the  heavens,  and  thy  power,  and  goodness,  and  mercy  are 
over  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth;  and  because  thou  art 
merciful,  thou  wilt  not  suffer  those  who  come  unto  thee  that 
they  shall  perish! 

14  And  after  this  m.anner  was  the  language  of  my  father 
in  the  praising  of  his  God;  for  his  soul  did  rejoice,  and  his 
whole  heart  was  filled,  because  of  the  things  which  he  had 
seen;    yea,  which  the  Lord  had  shewn  unto  him. 

15  And  now  I,  Nephi,  do  not  make  a  full  account  of  the 
things  which  my  father  hath  written,  for  he  hath  written 
many  things  which  he  saw  in  visions  and  in  dreams; 

16  And  he  also  hath  written  m.any  things  which  he  prophe- 
sied and  spake  unto  his  children,  of  which  I  shall  not  make 
a  full  account;  but  I  shall  make  an  account  of  my  proceed- 
ings in  my  days.  o 

17  Behold  I  make  an  abridgment  of  the  record  of  my 
father,  upon  plates  which  I  have  made  with  mine  own  hands; 
wherefore  after  I  have  abridged  the  record  of  my  father, 
then  will  I  make  an  account  of  mine  own  life. 

18  ^Therefore,  I  would  that  ye  should  know,  that  after 
the  Lord  had  shewn  so  many  marvelous  things  unto  my 
father  Lehi,  yea,  concerning  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem, 
behold  he  went  forth  among  the  people,  and  began  to  prophesy 
and  to  declare  unto  them  concerning  the  things  which  he  had 
both  seen  and  heard. 

19  ^And    it   came   to    pass    that   the   Jews    did    mock   him 


4r.  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  1. 

because   of   the   things   which   he   testified  of  them;     for   he 
truly  testified  of  their  wickedness  and  their   abominations; 

20  And  he  testified  that  the  things  which  he  saw  and  heard, 
and  also  the  things  which  he  read  in  the  book,  manifested 
plainly  of  the  coming  of  a  Messiah,  and  also  the  redemption 
of  the  world. 

21  ^And  when  the  Jews  heard  these  things,  they  were 
angry  with  him;  yea,  even  as  with  the  prophets  of  old,  whom 
they  had  cast  out,  and  stoned,  and  slain; 

22  And  they  also  sought  his  life,  that  they  might  take  it 
away. 

23  But  behold  I,  Nephi,  will  shew  unto  you  that  the  tender 
mercies  of  the  Lord  are  over  all  those  whom  he  hath  chosen, 
because  of  their  faith,  to  make  them  mighty  even  unto  the 
power  of  deliverance. 

24  ^For  behold  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  spake  unto 
my  father,  yea,  even  in  a  dream,  and  said  unto  him,  Blessed 
art  thou  Lehi,  because  of  the  things  which  thou  hast  done; 

25  And  because  thou  hast  been  faithful  and  declared  unto 
this  people  the  things  which  I  commanded  thee,  behold  they 
seek  to  take  away  thy  life. 

26  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  commanded  my 
father,  even  in  a  dream,  that  he  should  take  his  family  and 
depart  into  the  wilderness. 

27  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  was  obedient  unto  the  word 
of  the  Lord,  v/herefore  he  did  as  the  Lord  commanded  him. 

28  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  departed  into  the  wilder- 
ness, 

29  And  he  left  his  house,  and  the  land  of  his  inheritance, 
and  his  gold,  and  his  silver,  and  his  precious  things,  and 
took  nothing  with  him,  save  it  were  his  family,  and  provisions, 
and  tents,  and  he  departed  into  the  wilderness; 

30  And  he  came  down  by  the  borders  near  the  shore  of 
the  Red  Sea; 

31  And  he  traveled  in  the  wilderness  in  the  borders  which 
were  nearer  the  Red  Sea;  ; 

32  And  he  did   travel   in  the  wilderness   with    his   family 


CHAP.  1.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  5 

which  consisted  of  my  mother  Sariah,  and  my  elder  brothers, 
who  were  Laman,  Lemuel,  and  Sam. 

33  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  he  had  traveled  three 
days  in  the  wilderness,  he  pitched  his  tent  in  a  valley  by  the 
side  of  a  river  of  water. 

34  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  built  an  altar  of  stones, 
and  he  made  an  offering  unto  the  Lord,  and  gave  thanks  unto 
the  Lord  our  God. 

35  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  called  the  name  of  the  river 
Laman,  and  it  emptied  into  the  Red  Sea;  and  the  valley  was 
in  the  borders  near  the  mouth  thereof. 

36  TJAnd  when  my  father  saw  that  the  waters  of  the  river 
emptied  into  the  fountain  of  the  Red  Sea,  he  spake  unto 
Laman,  saying,  O  that  thou  mightest  be  like  unto  this  river, 
continually  running  into  the  fountain  of  all  righteousness. 

37  And  he  also  spake  unto  Lemuel:  O  that  thou  mightest 
be  like  unto  this  valley,  firm  and  steadfast,  and  immovable 
in  keeping  the  commandments  of  the  Lord. 

38  Now  this  he  spake  because  of  the  stiffneckedness  of 
Laman  and  Lemuel;  for  behold  they  did  murmur  in  many 
things  against  their  father,  because  he  was  a  visionary  man, 
and  had  led  them  out  of  the  land  of  Jerusalem,  to  leave  the 
land  of  their  inheritance,  and  their  gold,  and  their  silver,  and 
their  precious  things,  to  perish  in  the  wilderness. 

39  And  this  they  said  he  had  done  because  of  the  foolish 
imaginations  of  his  heart. 

40  And  thus  Laman  and  Lemuel,  being  the  eldest,  did  mur- 
mur against  their  father. 

41  And  they  did  murmur  because  they  knew  not  the  deal- 
ings of  that  God  who  had  created  them. 

42  Neither  did  they  believe  that  Jerusalem,  that  great  city, 
could  be  destroyed  according  to  the  words  of  the  prophets. 

43  And  they  were  like  unto  the  Jews,  who  were  at  Jeru- 
salem, who  sought  to  take  away  the  life  of  my  father. 

44  1[And  it  came  to  pass  that  my  father  did  speak  unto 
them  in  the  valley  of  Lemuel,  with  power,  being  filled  with 
the  Spirit,  until  their  frames  did  shake  before  him. 


6  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  1. 

45  And  he  did  confound  them,  that  they  durst  not  utter 
against  him;    wherefore  they  did  as  he  commanded  them. 

46  And  my  father  dwelt  in  a  tent. 

47  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  Nephi,  being  exceeding- 
young,  nevertheless  being  large  in  stature,  and  also  having 
great  desires  to  know  of  the  mysteries  pf  God, 

48  Wherefore  I  did  cry  unto  the  Lord;  and  behold  he  did 
visit  me,  and  did  soften  my  heart  that  I  did  believe  all  the 
words  which  had  been  spoken  by  my  father;  V\^her,efor,e,  _  I 
did  not  rebel  against  him  like  unto  my  brothers.       .acrfTKLf 

49  And  I  spake  unto  Sam,  making  known  unto  hi"m  the' 
things  which  the  Lord  had  manifested  unto  me  by  his  Holy 
Spirit. 

50  T|Ahd  it  came  to  pass  that  he  believed  in  my  words; 

51  But  behold  Laman  and  Lemuel  would  not  hearken  unto 
my  words: 

52  And  being  grieved  because  of  the  hardness  of  their 
hearts,  I  cried  unto  the  Lord  for  them. 

53  T[And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  spake  unto  me, 
saying.  Blessed  art  thou  Nephi,  because  of  thy  faith,  for 
thou  hast  sought  me  diligently,  with  lowliness  of  Iieart. 

54  And  inasmuch  as  ye  shall  keep  my  com.mandments,  ye 
shall  prosper,  and  shall  be  led  to  a  land  of  premise;  yea, 
even  a  land  which  I  have  prepared  for  you;  yea,  a  land 
which  is  choice  above  all  other  lands. 

55  And  inasmuch  as  thy  brethren  shall  rebel  against  thee, 
they  shall  be  cut  off  from  the  presence,  oi  the  I^ord. 

56  And  inasmuch  as  thou  shalt  keep.  my.  commandments, 
thou  shalt  be  made  a  ruler  and  a  teacher  over  thy  brethren. 

57  For  behold,  in  that  day  that  tli-sy  shall  rebel  against  me, 
I  will  curse  them  even  with  a  sonfi^cuxse,  and  they  shall  have 
no  powder  p,ver  thy  seed,  except-tii^T,ey;.;^hall  rebel  against  me 

also.  -         ,  ;  -,.,.-..      „.  ,,,  ,    , 

58  And  if  it, so  be  that  they  reb^el  against  me,  they  shall 
be  a  scourge  unto  thy  seed,  to  stir  them  up  in  the  way^,  of. 
remembrance.  ,,     i:,,-,  ,k-      i, 


CHAP.  1.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  7 

59  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  Nephi,  returned  from 
speaking  with  the  Lord,  to  the  tent  of  my  father. 

60  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  spake  unto  me,  saying: 
Behold  I  have  dreamed  a  dream,  in  the  which  the  Lord  hath 
commanded  me  that  thou  and  thy  brethren  shall  return  to 
Jerusalem. 

61  For  behold,  Laban  hath  the  record  of  the  Jews,  and  also 
a  genealogy  of  thy  forefathers,  and  they  are  engraven  upon 
plates  of  brass. 

62  Wherefore  the  Lord  hath  commanded  me  that  thou  and 
thy  brothers  should  go  unto  the  house  of  Laban,  and  seek 
the  records,  and  bring  them  down  hither  into  the  wilderness. 

63  And  now,  behold  thy  brothers  murmur,  saying  it  is 
a  hard  thing  which  I  have  required  of  them;  but  behold  I 
have  not  required  it  of  them;  but  it  is  a  commandment  of 
the  Lord. 

64  Therefore  go,  my  son,  and  thou  shalt  be  favored  of 
the  Lord,  because  thou  hast  not  murmured. 

65  TIAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  Nephi,  said  unto  my  father, 
I  will  go  and  do  the  things  which  the  Lord  hath  commanded, 
for  I  know  that  the  Lord  giveth  no  commandments  unto  the 
children  of  men,  save  he  shall  prepare  a  way  for  them  that 
they  may  accomplish  the  thing  which  he  commandeth  them. 

66  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  when  my  father  had  heard 
these  words,  he  was  exceeding  glad,  for  he  knew  that  I  had 
been-  blessed  of  the  Lord, 

67  And  I,  Nephi,  and  my  brethren  took  our  journey  in  the 
wilderness  with  our  tents,  to  go  up  to  the  land  of  Jerusalem. 

68  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  when  we  had  come  up  to 
the  land  of  Jerusalem,  I  and  my  brethren  did  consult  one 
with  another;  and  we  cast  lots  who  of  us  should  go  in  unto 
the  house  of  Laban. 

69  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  lot  fell  upon  Laman;  and 
Laman  went  in  unto  the  house  of  Laban,  and  he  talked  with 
him  as  he  sat  in  his  house. 

70  And  he  desired  of  Laban  the  records  which  were  en- 


8  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  1. 

graven  upon  the  plates  of  brass,  which  contained  the  gene- 
alogy of  my  father. 

71  IJAnd  behold  it  came  to  pass  that  Laban  was  angry,  and 
thrust  him  out  from  his  presence;  and  he  would  not  that  he 
should  have  the  records. 

72  Wherefore,  he  said  unto  him,  Behold  thou  art  a  robber, 
and  I  will  slay  thee. 

73  But  Laman  fled  out  of  his  presence,  and  told  the  things 
which  Laban  had  done,  unto  us. 

74  And  we  began  to  be  exceeding  sorrowful,  and  my  breth- 
ren were  about  to  return  unto  my  father  in  the  wilderness. 

75  But,  behold,  I  said  unto  them,  that  as  the  Lord  liveth, 
and  as  we  live,  we  will  not  go  down  unto  our  father  in  the 
wilderness,  until  we  have  accomplished  the  thing  which  the 
Lord  hath  commanded  us. 

76  Wherefore  let  us  be  faithful  in  keeping  the  command- 
ments oi  the  Lord; 

77  Therefore  let  us  go  down  to  the  land  of  our  father's 
inheritance,  for  behold  he  left  gold  and  silver,  and  all  man- 
ner of  riches. 

78  And  all  this  he  hath  done,  because  of  the  commandments 
of  the  Lord;  for  he  knowing  that  Jerusalem  must  be  de- 
stroyed, because  of  the  wickedness  of  the  people. 

79  ^For  behold,  they  have  rejected  the  words  of  the 
prophets. 

80  Wherefore  if  my  father  should  dwell  in  the  land  after 
he  hath  been  commanded  to  flee  out  of  the  land,  behold  he 
would  also  perish. 

81  Wherefore  it  must  needs  be  that  he  flee  out  of  the  land. 

82  And  behold  it  is  wisdom  in  God  that  we  should  obtain 
these  records,  that  we  may  preserve  unto  our  children  the 
language  of  our  fathers; 

83  And  also  that  we  may  preserve  unto  them  the  words 
which  have  been  spoken  by  the  mouth  of  all  the  holy  prophets, 
which  have  been  delivered  unto  them  by  the  Spirit  and  power 
of  God,  since  the  world  began,  even  down  unto  this  present 
time. 


CHAP.  1.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  9 

84  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  after  this  manner  of  language 
did  I  persuade  my  brethren,  that  they  might  be  faithful  in 
keeping  the  commandments  of  God. 

85  And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  went  down  to  the  land  of 
our  inheritance,  and  we  did  gather  together  our  gold,  and  our 
silver,  and  our  precious  things. 

86  And  after  we  had  gathered  these  things  together,  we 
went  up  again  unto  the  house  of  Laban. 

87  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  went  in  unto  Laban,  and 
desired  him  that  he  would  give  unto  us  the  records  which 
were  engraven  upon  the  plates  of  brass,  for  which  we  would 
give  unto  him  our  gold,  and  our  silver,  and  all  our  precious 
things. 

88  IJAnd  it  cam.e  to  pass  that  when  Laban  saw  our  property, 
that  it  was  exceeding  great,  he  did  lust  after  it,  insomuch 
that  he  thrust  us  out,  and  sent  his  servants  to  slay  us,  that 
he  might  obtain  our  property. 

89  And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  flee  before  the  servants 
of  Laban,  and  we  were  obliged  to  leave  behind  our  property, 
and  it  fell  into  the  hands  of  Laban. 

90  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  we  fled  into  the  wilderness, 
and  the  servants  of  Laban  did  not  overtake  us,  and  we  hid 
ourselves  in  the  cavity  of  a  rock. 

91  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Laman  was  angry  with  me, 
and  also  with  my  father,  and  also  was  Lemuel;  for  he 
hearkened  unto  the  words  of  Laman. 

92  Wherefore  Laman  and  Lemuel  did  speak  many  hard 
words  unto  us,  their  younger  brothers,  and  they  did  smite 
us  even  with  a   rod. 

93  ^And  it  came  to  pass  as  they  smote  us  with  a  rod,  behold 
an  angel  of  the  Lord  came  and  stood  before  them,  and  he 
spake  unto  them,  saying,  Why  do  ye  smite  your  younger 
brother  with  a  rod? 

94  Know  ye  not  that  the  Lord  hath  chosen  him  to  be  a 
ruler  over  you,  and  this  because  of  your  iniquities? 

95  Behold  ye  shall  go  up  to  Jerusalem  again,  and  the  Lord 
will  deliver  Laban  into  your  hands. 


lb  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  1. 

96  And  after  the  an^el  had  spoken  unto  us,  he  departed. 

97  And  after  the  angel  had  departed,  Laman  and  Lemuel 
again  began  to  murmur,  saying,  How  is  it  possible  that  the 
Lord  will  deliver  Laban  into  our  hands? 

98  Behold  he  is  a  mighty  man,  and  he  can  command  fifty, 
yea,  even  he  can  slay  fifty;    then  why  not  us? 

99  TlAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  I  spake  unto  my  brethren, 
saying,  Let  us  go  up  again  unto  Jerusalem,  and  let  us  be 
faithful  in  keeping  the  commandments  of  the  Lord;  for 
behold  he  is  mightier  than  all  the  earth,  then  why  not 
mightier  than  Laban  and  his  fifty,  yea,  or  even  than  his  tens 
of  thousands. 

100  Therefore  let  us  go  up;  let  us  be  strong  like  unto 
Moses;  for  he  truly  spake  unto  the  waters  of  the  Red  Sea, 
and  they  divided  hither  and  thither,  and  our  fathers  came 
through  out  of  captivity  on  dry  ground,  and  the  armies  of 
Pharaoh  did  follow  and  were  drowned  in  the  waters  of  the 
Red  Sea. 

101  Now  behold  ye  know  that  this  is  true;  and  ye  also 
know  that  an  angel  hath  spoken  unto  you,  wherefore  can, ye 
doubt? 

102  Let  us  go  up;  the  Lord  is  able  to  deliver  us,  even  as 
our  fathers,  and  to  destroy  Laban  even  as  the  Egyptians. 

103  ^Now  when  I  had  spoken  these  words,  they  were  yet 
wroth,  and  did  still  continue  to  murmur;  nevertheless  they 
did  foUov/  me  up  until  we  came  without  the  walls  of  Jeru-^ 
salem. 

104  And  it  was  by  night:  and  I  caused  that  they  should 
hide  themselves  without  the  walls. 

105  And  after  they  had  hid  themselves,  I,  Nephi,  crept 
into  the  city,  and  went  forth  towards  the  house  of  Laban. 

106  And  I  was  led  by  the  Spirit,  not  knowing  beforehand 
the  things  which  I  should  do. 

107  Nevertheless  I  went  forth,  and  as  I  came  near  unto 
the  house  of  Laban,  I  beheld  a  man,  and  he  had  fallen  to  the 
earth  before  me,  for  he  was  drunken  with  wine. 

108  And  when  I  came  to  him  I  found  that  it  was  Laban. 


CHAP.  1.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  11 

109  And  I  beheld  his  sword,  and  I  drew  it  forth  from  the 
sheath  thereof,  and  the  hilt  thereof  was  of  pure  gold,  and 
the  workmanship  thereof  was  exceeding  fine:  and  I  saw  that 
the  blade  thereof  was  of  the  most  precious  steel. 

110  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  was  constrained  by  the 
Spirit  that  I  should  kill  Laban; 

111  But  I  said  in  my  heart,  Never  at  any  time  have  I 
shed  the  blood  of  man,  and  I  shrunk  and  would  that  I  might 
not  slay  him. 

112  And  the  Spirit  said  unto  me  again,  Behold  the  Lord 
hath  delivered  him  into  thy  hands ;  yea,  and  I  also  knew  that 
he  had  sought  to  take  away  mine  own  life;  yea,  and  he 
would  not  hearken  unto  the  commandments  of  the  Lord;  and 
he  also  had  taken  away  our  property. 

113  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Spirit  said  unto  me 
again,  Slay  him,  for  the  Lord  hath  delivered  him  into  thy 
hands. 

114  Behold  the  Lord  slayeth  the  wicked  to  bring  forth  his 
righteous  purposes. 

115  It  is  better  that  one  man  should  perish,  than  that  a 
nation  should  dwindle  and  perish  in  unbelief. 

116  ^And  nov7,  when  I,  Nephi,  had  heard  these  words,  I 
remembered  the  words  of  the  Lord  which  he  spake  unto  me 
in  the  wilderness,  saying.  That  inasmuch  as  thy  seed  shall 
keep  my  commandments,  they  shall  prosper  in  the  land  of 
promise. 

117  Yea,  and  I  also  thought  that  they  could  not  keep  the 
commandments  of  the  Lord  according  to  the  law  of  Moses, 
save  they  should  have  the  law. 

118  And  I  also  knew  that  the  law  was  engraven  upon  the 
plates  of  brass. 

119  And  again,  I  knew  that  the  Lord  had  delivered  Laban 
into  my  hands  for  this  cause,  that  I  might  obtain  the  records 
according  to  his  commandments. 

120  Therefore  I  did  obey  the  voice  of  the  Spirit,  and  took 
Laban  by  the  hair  of  the  head,  and  I  smote  off  his  head  with 
his  own  sword. 


12  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  1. 

121  ^And  after  I  had  smitten  off  his  head  with  his  own 
sword,  I  took  the  garments  of  Laban  and  put  them  upon 
mine  own  body;  yea,  even  every  whit;  and  I  did  gird  on 
his  armor  about  my  loins. 

122  And  after  I  had  done  this,  I  went  forth  unto  the  treas- 
ury of  Laban. 

123  And  as  I  went  forth  towards  the  treasury  of  Laban, 
behold  I  saw  the  servant  of  Laban,  who  had  the  keys  of  the 
treasury. 

124  And  I  commanded  him  in  the  voice  of  Laban,  that  he 
should  go  with  me  into  the  treasury;  and  he  supposed  me  to 
be  his  master  Laban,  for  he  beheld  the  garments  and  also  the 
sword  girded  about  my  loins. 

125  And  he  spake  unto  me  concerning  the  elders  of  the 
Jews,  he  knowing  that  his  master  Laban  had  been  out  by 
night  among  them. 

126  And  I  spake  unto  him  as  if  it  had  been  Laban. 

127  And  I  also  spake  unto  him  that  I  should  carry  the 
engravings  which  were  upon  the  plates  of  brass,  to  my  elder 
brethren,  who  were  without  the  walls. 

128  And  I  also  bade  him  that  he  should  follow  me. 

129  And  he  supposing  that  I  spake  of  the  brethren  of  the 
church,  and  that  I  was  truly  that  Laban  whom  I  had  slain, 
wherefore  he  did  follow  me. 

130  And  he  spake  unto  me  many  times  concerning  the 
elders  of  the  Jews,  as  I  went  forth  unto  my  brethren,  who 
were  without  the  walls. 

131  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Laman  saw  me,  he  was 
exceedingly  frightened,  and  also  Lemuel  and  Sam. 

132  And  they  fled  from  before  my  presence;  for  they  sup- 
posed it  was  Laban,  and  that  he  had  slain  me,  and  had  sought 
to  take  away  their  lives  also. 

133  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  called  after  them,  and  they 
did  hear  me;  wherefore  they  did  cease  to  flee  from  my  pres- 
ence. 

134  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  the  servant  of  liaban 


CHAP.  1.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  13 

beheld  my  brethren,  he  began  to  tremble,  and  was  about  to 
flee  from  before  me,  and  return  to  the  city  of  Jerusalem. 

135  ^And  now  I,  Nephi,  being  a  man  large  in  stature,  and 
also  having  received  much  strength  of  the  Lord,  therefore  I 
did  seize  upon  the  servant  of  Laban,  and  held  him  that  he 
should  not  flee. 

136  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  spake  with  him,  that  if  he 
would  hearken  unto  my  words,  as  the  Lord  liveth,  and  as  I 
live,  even  so  that  if  he  would  hearken  unto  our  words,  we 
would  spare  his  life. 

137  And  I  spake  unto  him,  even  with  an  oath,  that  he  need 
not  fear;  that  he  should  be  a  free  man  like  unto  us,  if  he 
would  go  down  in  the  wilderness  v/ith  us. 

138  And  I  also  spake  unto  him,  saying,  Surely  the  Lord 
hath  commanded  us  to  do  this  thing,  and  shall  we  not  be 
diligent  in  keeping  the  commandments  of  the  Lord? 

139  Therefore,  if  thou  wilt  go  down  into  the  wilderness  to 
my  father,  thou  shalt  have  place  with  us. 

140  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  Zoram  did  take  courage  at 
the  words  which  I  spake. 

141  Now  Zoram  was  the  name  of  the  servant;  and  he  prom- 
ised that  he  would  go  down  into  the  wilderness  unto  our 
father. 

142  And  he  also  made  an  oath  unto  us,  that  he  would  tarry 
with  us  from  that  time  forth. 

143  Now  we  were  desirous  that  he  should  tarry  with  us  for 
this  cause,  that  the  Jews  might  not  know  concerning  our 
flight  into  the  wilderness,  lest  they  should  pursue  us  and 
destroy  us. 

144  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Zoram  had  made  an 
oath  unto  us,  our  fears  did  cease  concerning  him. 

145  And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  took  the  plates  of  brass 
and  the  servant  of  Laban,  and  departed  into  the  wilderness, 
and  journeyed  unto  the  tent  of  our  father. 

146  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  after  we  had  come  down  into 
the  wilderness  unto  our  father,  behold  he  was  filled  with  joy, 
and  also  my  mother  Sariah  was  exceeding  glad,  for  she  truly 


14  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHL  [chap.  1. 

had  mourned  because  of  us;    for  she  had  supposed  that  we 
had  perished  in  the  wilderness; 

147  And  she  also  had  complained  against  my  father,  telling 
him  that  he  was  a  visionary  man;  saying,  Behold  thou  hast 
led  us  forth  from  the  land  of  our  inheritance,  and  my  sons 
are  no  more,  and  we  perish  in  the  wilderness. 

148  And  after  this  manner  of  language  had  my  mother 
complained  against  iny  father. 

149  ^And  it  had  come  to  pass  that  my  father  spake  unto 
her,  saying,  I  know  that  I  am  a  visionary  man;  for  if  I  had 
not  seen  the  things  of  God  in  a  vision,  I  should  not  have 
known  the  goodness  of  God,  but  had  tarried  at  Jerusalem,  and 
had  perished  v/ith  my  brethren. 

150  But  behold  I  have  obtained  a  land  of  promise,  in  the 
which  things  I  do  rejoice; 

151  Yea,  and  I  know  that  the  Lord  will  deliver  my  sons  out 
of  the  hands  of  Laban,  and  bring  them  down  again  unto  us  in 
the  wilderness. 

152  And  after  this  manner  of  language  did  my  father  Lehi 
comfort  my  mother  Sariah  concerning  us,  while  we  journeyed 
in  the  wilderness  up  to  the  land  of  Jerusalem,  to  obtain  the 
record  of  the  Jews. 

153  ^And  when  we  had  returned  to  the  tent  of  my  father, 
behold  their  joy  was  full,  and  my  mother  was  comforted; 

154  And  she  spake,  saying.  Now  I  know  of  a  surety  that 
the  Lord  hath  commanded  my  husband  to  flee  into  the  wil- 
derness ; 

155  Yea,  and  I  also  know  of  a  surety  that  the  Lord  hath 
protected  my  sons,  and  delivered  them  out  of  the  hands  of 
Laban,  and  gave  them  power  whereby  they  could  accomplish 
the  thing  which  the  Lord  hath  commanded  them. 

156  And  after  this  manner  of  language  did  she  speak. 

157  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  rejoice  exceedingly, 
and  did  offer  sacrifice  and  burnt  offerings  unto  the  Lord; 
and  they  gave  thanks  unto  the  God  of  Israel. 

158  And  after  they  had  given  thanlcs  unto  the  God  of  Israel, 
my  father  Lehi  took  the  records  which  were  engraven  upon 


CHAP.  1.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  15 

the  plates  of  brass,  and  he  did  search  them  from  the  begin- 
ning. 

159  And  he  beheld  that  they  did  contain  the  five  books  of 
Moses,  which  gave  an  account  of  the  creation  of  the  world; 

160  And  also  of  Adam  and  Eve,  who  were  our  first  parents ; 

161  And  also  a  record  of  the  Jews  from  the  beginning, 
even  down  to  the  commencement  of  the  reign  of  Zedekiah, 
king  of  Judah; 

162  And  also  the  prophecies  of  the  holy  prophets,  from  the 
beginning,  even  down  to  the  commencement  of  the  reign  of 
Zedekiah ; 

163  And  also  many  prophecies  which  have  been  spoken  by 
the  mouth  of  Jeremiah. 

164  IIAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  my  father  Lehi  also  found 
upon  the  plates  of  brass  a  genealogy  of  his  fathers; 

165  Wherefore  he  knew  that  he  was  a  descendant  of  Joseph ; 
yea,  even  that  Joseph  who  was  the  son  of  Jacob,  who  was 
sold  into  Egypt,  and  who  was  preserved  by  the  hand  of  the 
Lord,  that  he  might  preserve  his  father  Jacob  and  all  his 
household  from  perishing  with  famine. 

166  And  they  were  also  led  out  of  captivity  and  out  of 
the  land  of  Egypt,  by  that  same  God  who  had  preserved  them. 

167  And  thus  my  father  Lehi  did  discover  the  genealogy 
of  his  fathers. 

168  And  Laban  also  was  a  descendant  of  Joseph,  where- 
fore he  and  his  fathers  had  kept  the  records. 

169  IJAnd  now  when  my  father  saw  all  these  things  he  was 
filled  with  the  Spirit,  and  began  to  prophesy  concerning  his 
seed;  that  these  plates  of  brass  should  go  forth  unto  all 
nations,  kindreds,  tongues  and  people,  who  were  of  his  seed. 

170  Wherefore  he  said  that  these  plates  of  brass  should 
never  perish,  neither  should  they  be  dimmed  any  more  by 

time. 

171  And  he  prophesied  many  things  concerning  his  seed. 

172  TIAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  thus  far  I  and  my  father 
had  kept  the  commandments  wherewith  the  Lord  had  com- 
manded us. 


.16  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  2. 

173  And  we  had  obtained  the  record  which  the  Lord  had 
commanded  us,  and  searched  them  and  found  that  they  were 
desirable;  yea,  even  of  great  worth  unto  us,  insomuch  that 
we  could  preserve  the  commandments  of  the  Lord  unto  our 
children. 

174  Wherefore  it  was  wisdom  in  the  Lord  that  we  should 
carry  them  with  us  as  we  journeyed  in  the  wilderness  towards 
the  land  of  promise 


CHAPTER    2. 

1  IJAnd  now  I,  Nephi,  do  not  give  the  genealogy  of  my 
fathers  in  this  part  of  my  record;  neither  at  any  time  shall 
I  give  it  after  upon  these  plates  which  I  am  writing;  for  it 
is  given  in  the  record  which  has  been  kept  by  my  father; 
wherefore  I  do  not  write  it  in  this  work. 

2  For  it  sufficeth  me  to  say  that  we  are  a  descendant  of 
Joseph. 

3  And  it  mattereth  not  to  me  that  I  am  particular  to  give 
a  full  account  of  all  the  things  of  my  father,  for  they  can 
not  be  written  upon  these  plates,  for  I  desire  the  room  that  I 
may  write  of  the  things  of  God. 

4  For  the  fullness  of  mine  intent  is  that  I  may  persuade 
men  to  come  unto  the  God  of  Abraham,  and  the  God  of  Isaac, 
and  the  God  of  Jacob,  and  be  saved. 

5  Wherefore  the  things  which  are  pleasing  unto  the  world, 
I  do  not  write,  but  the  things  which  are  pleasing  unto  God 
and  unto  those  who  are  not  of  the  world. 

6  Wherefore  I  shall  give  commandment  unto  my  seed,  that 
they  shall  not  occupy  these  plates  with  things  which  are  not 
of  worth  unto  the  children  of  men. 

7  And  now  I  would  that  ye  might  know,  that  after  my 
father  Lehi  had  made  an  end  of  prophesying  concerning  his 
seed,  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  spake  unto  him  again, 
saying,  that  it  was  not  meet  for  him,  Lehi,  that  he  should 
take  his  family  into  the  wilderness  alone;  but  that  his  sons 


CHAP.  2.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  17 

should  take  daughters  to  wife,  that  they  might  raise  up  seed 
unto  the  Lord  in  the  land  of  promise. 

8  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  commanded  him  that 
I,  Nephi,  and  my  brethren,  should  again  return  unto  the 
land  of  Jerusalem,  and  bring  down  Ishmael  and  his  family 
into  the  wilderness. 

9  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  Nephi,  did  again,  with  my 
brethren,  go  forth  into  the  wilderness  to  go  up  to  Jerusalem. 

10  And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  went  up  unto  the  house 
of  Ishmael,  and  we  did  gain  favor  in  the  sight  of  Ishmael, 
insomuch  that  we  did  speak  unto  him  the  words  of  the  Lord. 

11  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  did  soften  the  heart 
of  Ishmael  and  also  his  household,  insomuch  that  they  took 
their  journey  with  us  down  into  the  wilderness  to  the  tent 
of  our  father. 

12  And  it  came  to  pass  that  as  we  journeyed  in  the  wilder- 
ness, behold  Laman  and  Lemuel,  and  two  of  the  daughters 
of  Ishmael,  and  the  two  sons  of  Ishmael,  and  their  families, 
did  rebel  against  us;  yea,  against  I, Nephi,  and  Sam,  and  their 
father  Ishmael,  and  his  wife,  and  his  three  other  daughters. 

13  ^And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  which  rebellion  they  were 
desirous  to  return  unto  the  land  of  Jerusalem. 

14  And  now  I,  Nephi,  being  grieved  for  the  hardness  of 
their  hearts,  therefore  I  spake  unto  them,  saying,  yea,  even 
unto  Laman  and  unto  Lemuel,  Behold  ye  are  mine  elder 
brethren;  and  how  is  it  that  ye  are  so  hard  in.  your  hearts, 
and  so  blind  in  your  minds,  that  ye  have  need  that  I,  your 
younger  brother,  should  speak  unto  you,  yea,  and  set  an 
example  for  you? 

15  How  is  it  that  ye  have  not  hearkened  unto  the  word  of 
the  Lord? 

16  How  is  it  that  ye  have  forgotten  that  ye  have  seen  an 
angel  of  the  Lord? 

17  Yea,  and  how  is  it  that  ye  have  forgotten  what  great 
things  the  Lord  hath  done  for  us  in  delivering  us  out  of  the 
hands  of  Laban,  and  also  that  we  should  obtain  the  record? 

18  Yea,  and  how  is  it  that  ye  have  forgotten  that  the  Lord 


18  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  2. 

is  able  to  do  all  things  according  to  his  will,  for  the  children 
of  men,  if  it  so  be  that  they  exercise  faith  in  him;  wherefore 
let  us  be  faithful  to  him. 

19  And  if  it  so  be  that  we  are  faithful  to  him,  we  shall 
obtain  the  land  of  promise;  and  ye  shall  know  at  some  future 
period  that  the  word  of  the  Lord  shall  be  fulfilled  concerning 
the  destruction  of  Jerusalem; 

20  For  all  things  which  the  Lord  hath  spoken  concerning 
the  destruction  of  Jerusalem  must  be  fulfilled. 

21  For  behold,  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  ceaseth  soon  to  strive 
with  them; 

22  For  behold  they  have  rejected  the  prophets,  and  Jere- 
mian  have  they  cast  into  prison. 

23  And  they  have  sought  to  take  away  the  life  of  my 
father,  insomuch  that  they  have  driven  him  out  of  the  land. 

24  ^Now  behold,  I  say  unto  you,  that  if  ye  will  return  unto 
Jerusalem  ye  shall  also  perish  with  them. 

25  And  now,  if  ye  have  choice,  go  up  to  the  land,  and 
remember  the  words  which  I  speak  unto  you,  that  if  ye 
go  ye  will  also  perish;  for  thus  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  con- 
straineth  me  that  I  should  speak. 

26  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  I,  Nephi,  had  spoken 
these  words  unto  my  brethren  they  were  angry  with  me. 

27  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  lay  their  hands  upon 
me — for  behold,  they  were  exceeding  wroth — and  they  did  bind 
me  with  cords,  for  they  sought  to  take  away  my  life,  that 
they  might  leave  me  in  the  wilderness  to  be  devoured  by  wild 
beasts. 

28  IJBut  it  came  to  pass  that  I  prayed  unto  the  Lord,  say- 
ing, O  Lord,  according  to  my  faith  which  is  in  thee,  wilt  thou 
deliver  me  from  the  hands  of  my  brethren; 

29  Yea,  even  give  me  strength  that  I  may  burst  these 
bands  with  which  I  am  bound. 

30  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  I  had  said  these  words, 
behold,  the  bands  were  loosed  from  off  my  hands  and  feet, 
and  I  stood  before  my  brethren,  and  I  spake  unto  them  again. 


CHAP.  2.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  19 

31  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  they  were  angry  with  me 
again,  and  sought  to  lay  hands  upon  me; 

32  But  behold,  one  of  the  daughters  of  Ishmael,  yea,  and 
also  her  mother,  and  one  of  the  sons  of  Ishmael,  did  plead 
with  my  brethren,  insomuch  that  they  did  soften  their  hearts; 
and  they  did  cease  striving  to  take  away  my  life. 

33  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  were  sorrowful,  because 
of  their  wickedness,  insomuch  that  they  did  bow  down  before 
me,  and  did  plead  with  me,  that  I  would  forgive  them  of  the 
thing  that  they  had  done  against  me. 

34  1[And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  did  frankly  forgive  them  all 
that  they  had  done,  and  I  did  exhort  them  that  they  would 
pray  unto  the  Lord  their  God  for  forgiveness. 

35  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  so. 

36  And  after  they  had  done  praying  unto  the  Lord  we  did 
again  travel  on  our  journey  toward  the  tent  of  our  father. 

37  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  come  down  unto  the 
tent  of  our  father. 

38  And  after  I  and  my  brethren,  and  all  the  house  of 
Ishmael,  had  come  down  unto  the  tent  of  my  father,  they  did 
give  thanks  unto  the  Lord  their  God; 

39  And  they  did  offer  sacrifice  and  burnt  offerings  unto 
him. 

40  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  had  gathered  together  all 
manner  of  seeds  of  every  kind;  both  of  grain  of  every  kind, 
and  also  of  the  seeds  of  fruits  of  every  kind. 

41  And  it  came  to  pass  that  while  my  father  tarried  in  the 
wilderness  he  spake  unto  us,  saying.  Behold,  I  have  dreamed 
a  dream;    or  in  other  words,  I  have  seen  a  vision. 

42  And  behold,  because  of  the  thing  which  I  have  seen,  I 
have  reason  to  rejoice  in  the  Lord  because  of  Nephi,  and  also 
of  Sam;  for  I  have  reason  to  suppose  that  they,  and  also 
many  of  their  seed,  will  be  saved. 

43  But  behold,  Laman  and  Lemuel,  I  fear  exceedingly 
because  of  you;  for  behold,  methought  I  saw  in  my  dream  a 
dark  and  dreary  wilderness. 


20  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  2. 

44  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  saw  a  man,  and  he  was 
dressed  in  a  white  robe;   and  he  came  and  stood  before  me. 

45  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  spake  unto  me,  and  bade  me 
follow  him. 

46  And  it  came  to  pass  that  as  I  followed  him,  I  beheld 
myself  that  I  was  in  a  dark  and  dreary  waste. 

47  And  after  I  had  traveled  for  the  space  of  many  hours 
in  darkness  I  began  to  pray  unto  the  Lord,  that  he  would 
have  mercy  on  me  according  to  the  multitude  of  his  tender 
mercies. 

48  ^And  it  came  to  pass  after  I  had  prayed  unto  the  Lord, 
I  beheld  a  large  and  spacious  field. 

49  And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  beheld  a  tree,  whose  fruit 
was  desirable  to  make  one  happy. 

50  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  did  go  forth  and  partake  of 
the  fruit  thereof;  and  I  beheld  that  it  was  most  sweet  above 
all  that  I  ever  before  tasted. 

51  Yea,  and  I  beheld  that  the  fruit  thereof  was  white,  to 
exceed  all  the  whiteness  that  I  had  ever  seen. 

52  And  as  I  partook  of  the  fruit  thereof,  it  filled  my  soul 
with  exceeding  great  joy; 

53  Wherefore  I  began  to  be  desirous  that  my  family  should 
partake  of  it  also;  for  I  knew  that  it  was  desirable  above 
all  other  fruit. 

54  And  as  I  cast  my  eyes  round  about,  that  perhaps  I  might 
discover  my  family  also,  I  beheld  a  river  of  water;  and  it 
ran  along,  and  it  was  near  the  tree  of  which  I  was  partaking 
the  fruit. 

55  And  I  looked  to  behold  from  whence  it  came;  and  I  saw 
the  head  thereof  a  little  way  off; 

56  And  at  the  head  thereof  I  beheld  your  mother  Sariah, 
and  Sam,  and  Nephi;  and  they  stood  as  if  they  knew  not 
whither  they  should  go. 

57  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  I  beckoned  unto  them;  and 
I  also  did  say  unto  them  with  a  loud  voice  that  they  should 
Come  unto  me  and  partake  of  the  fruit,  which  was  desirable 
above  all  other  fruit. 


CHAP.  2.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  21 

58  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  come  unto  me,  and 
partake  of  the  fruit  also. 

59  And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  was  desirous  that  Laman 
and  Lemuel  should  come  and  partake  of  the  fruit  also; 

60  Wherefore,  I  cast  mine  eyes  towards  the  head  of  the 
I'iver,  that  perhaps  I  might  see  them. 

61  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  saw  them,  but  they  would 
not  come  unto  me,  and  partake  of  the  fruit. 

62  And  I  beheld  a  rod  of  iron;  and  it  extended  along  the 
bank  of  the  river,  and  led  to  the  tree  by  which  I  stood. 

63  And  I  also  beheld  a  straight  and  narrow  path,  which 
came  along  by  the  rod  of  iron,  even  to  the  tree  by  which 
I  stood; 

64  And  it  also  led  by  the  head  of  the  fountain  unto  a  large 
and  spacious  field,  as  if  it  had  been  a  world; 

65  And  I  saw  numberless  concourses  of  people,  many  of 
whom  were  pressing  forward,  that  they  might  obtain  the  path 
which  led  unto  the  tree  by  which  I  stood. 

66  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  come  forth  and 
commence  in  the  path  which  led  to  the  tree. 

67  And  it  came  to  pass  that  there  arose  a  mist  of  dark- 
ness; yea,  even  an  exceeding  great  mist  of  darkness,  inso- 
much that  they  who  had  commenced  in  the  path  did  lose 
their  way,  that  they  wandered  off  and  were  lost. 

68  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  beheld  others  pressing  for- 
ward, and  they  came  forth  and  caught  hold  of  the  end  of  the 
rod  of  iron; 

69  And  they  did  press  forward  through  the  mist  of  dark- 
ness, clinging  to  the  rod  of  iron,  even  until  they  did  come 
forth  and  partake  of  the  fruit  of  the  tree. 

70  And  after  they  had  partaken  of  the  fruit  of  the  tree 
they  did  cast  their  eyes  about  as  if  they  were  ashamed. 

71  And  I  also  cast  my  eyes  round  about,  and  beheld  on  the 
other  side  of  the  river  of  water  a  great  and  spacious  building; 

72  And  it  stood  as  it  were  in  the  air,  high  above  the  earth; 

73  And  it  was  filled  with  people,  both  old  and  young,  both 
male  and  female; 


221.'  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  2. 

74  And  their  manner  of  dress  was  exceeding  fine; 

75  And  they  were  in  the  attitude  of  mocking  and  pointing 
their  fingers  towards  those  who  had  come  at,  and  were  par- 
taking of  the  fruit. 

76  And  after  they  had  tasted  of  the  fruit  they  were 
ashamed,  because  of  those  that  were  scoffing  at  them;  and 
they  fell  away  into  forbidden  paths  and  were  lost. 

77  ^And  now  I,  Nephi,  do  not  speak  all  the  words  of  my 
father. 

78  But,  to  be  short  in  writing,  behold,  he  saw  other  multi- 
tudes pressing  forward;  and  they  came  and  caught  hold  of 
the  end  of  the  rod  of  iron;  and  they  did  press  their  way 
forward,  continually  holding  fast  to  the  rod  of  iron,  until 
they  came  forth  and  fell  down  and  partook  of  the  fruit  of 
the  tree. 

79  And  he  also  saw  other  multitudes  feeling  their  way 
towards  that  great  and  spacious  building. 

80  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  many  were  drowned  in  the 
depths  of  the  fountain; 

81  And  many  were  lost  from  his  view,  wandering  in 
strange   roads. 

82  And  great  was  the  multitude  that  did  enter  into  that 
strange  building. 

83  And  after  they  did  enter  into  that  building  they  did 
point  the  finger  of  scorn  at  me,  and  those  that  were  partak- 
ing of  the  fruit  also;   but  we  heeded  them  not. 

84  These  are  the  words  of  my  father:  For  as  many  as 
heeded  them,  had  fallen  away. 

85  And  Laman  and  Lemuel  partook  not  of  the  fruit,  said 
my  father. 

86  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  after  my  father  had  spoken  all 
the  words  of  his  dream  or  vision,  which  were  many,  he  said 
unto  us,  because  of  these  things  which  he  saw  in  a  vision, 
he  exceedingly  feared  for  Laman  and  Lemuel; 

87  Yea,  he  feared  lest  they  should  be  cast  off  from  the 
presence  of  the  Lord; 

88  And  he  did  exhort  them  then  with  all  the  feeling  of  a 


CHAP.  2.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  23 

tender  parent,  that  they  would  hearken  to  his  words,  that, 
perhaps  the  Lord  would  be  merciful  to  them,  and  not  cast 
them  off; 

89  Yea,  my  father  did  preach  unto  them. 

90  ^And  after  he  had  preached  unto  them,  and  also  prophe- 
sied unto  them  of  many  things,  he  bade  them  to  keep  the 
commandments  of  the  Lord; 

91  And  he  did  cease  speaking  unto  them. 

92  And  all  these  things  did  my  father  see,  and  hear,  and 
speak,  as  he  dwelt  in  a  tent,  in  the  valley  of  Lemuel;  and 
also  a  great  many  more  things,  which  can  not  be  written 
upon  these  plates. 

93  And  now,  as  I  have  spoken  concerning  these  plates, 
behold,  they  are  not  the  plates  upon  which  I  make  a  full 
account  of  the  history  of  my  people; 

94  For  the  plates  upon  which  I  make  a  full  account  of  my 
people,  I  have  given  the  name  of  Nephi; 

95  Wherefore,  they  are  called  the  plates  of  Nephi,  after 
mine  own  name;  and  these  plates  also  are  called  the  plates 
of  Nephi. 

96  ^Nevertheless,  I  have  received  a  commandment  of  the 
Lord  that  I  should  make  these  plates  for  the  special  purpose 
that  there  should  be  an  account  engraven  of  the  ministry  of 
my  people. 

97  Upon  the  other  plates  should  be  engraven  an  account  of 
the  reign  of  the  kings,  and  the  wars  and  contentions  of  my 
people; 

98  Wherefore,  these  plates  are  for  the  more  part  of  the 
ministry;  and  the  other  platv^s  are  for  the  more  part  of  the 
reign  of  the  kings,  and  the  wars  and  contentions  of  my 
people. 

99  Wherefore,  the  Lord  hath  commanded  me  to  make  these 
plates  for  a  wise  purpose  in  him;  which  purpose  I  know  not. 

100  But  the  Lord  knoweth  all  things  from  the  beginning; 

101  Wherefore,  he  prepareth  a  way  to  accomplish  all  his 
works  among  the  children  of  men;  for  behold  he  hath  all 
power  unto  the  fulfilling  of  all  his  words. 

102  And  thus  it  is.     Amen. 


24  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI  [chap.  3. 

CHAPTER    3. 

1  ^And  now  I,  Nephi,  proceed  to  give  an  account  upon 
these  plates,  of  my  proceedings,  and  my  reign  and  ministry; 
wherefore,  to  proceed  with  mine  account,  I  must  speak  some- 
what of  the  things  of  my  father,  and  also  of  my  brethren. 

2  IJFor  behold,  it  came  to  pass  after  my  father  had  made 
an  end  of  speaking  the  words  of  his  dream,  and  also  of  ex- 
horting them  to  all  diligence,  he  spake  unto  them  concerning 
the  Jews,  that  after  they  should  be  destroyed,  even  that  great 
city  Jerusalem,  and  many  be  carried  away  captive  into  Baby- 
lon, according  to  the  own  due  time  of  the  Lord  they  should 
return  again;  yea,  even  be  brought  back  out  of  captivity; 

3  And  after  they  should  be  brought  back  out  of  captivity 
they  should  possess  again  the  land  of  their  inheritance. 

4  IJYea,  even  six  hundred  years  from  the  time  that  my 
father  left  Jerusalem,  a  prophet  would  the  Lord  God  raise  up 
among  the  Jews,  even  a  Messiah ;  or,  in  other  words,  a  Savior 
of  the  world. 

5  And  he  also  spake  concerning  the  prophets,  how  great  a 
number  had  testified  of  these  things,  concerning  this  Messiah, 
of  whom  he  had  spoken,  or  this  Redeemer  of  the  world. 

6  Wherefore,  all  mankind  were  in  a  lost  and  in  a  fallen 
state,  and  ever  would  be,  save  they  should  rely  on  this  Re- 
deemer. 

7  TJAnd  he  spake  also  concerning  a  prophet,  who  should 
come  before  the  Messiah,  to  prepare  the  way  of  the  Lord; 

8  Yea,  even  he  should  go  forth  and  cry  in  the  wilderness. 
Prepare  ye  the  way  of  the  Lord  and  make  his  paths  straight; 

9  For  there  standeth  one  among  you  whom  ye  know  not; 
and  he  is  mightier  than  I,  whose  shoe's  latchet  I  am  not 
worthy  to  unloose. 

10  And  much  spake  my  father  concerning  this  thing. 

11  ^And  my  father  said  he  should  baptize  in  Bethabara, 
beyond  Jordan;  and  he  also  said  he  should  baptize  with 
water;  even  that  he  should  baptize  the  Messiah  with  water. 

12  And  after  he  had  baptized  the  Messiah  with  water,  he 


CHAP.  3.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  25 

should  behold  and  bear  record  that  he  had  baptized  the  Lamb 
of  God,  who  should  take  away  the  sins  of  the  world. 

13  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  after  my  father  had  spokep  these 
words,  he  spake  unto  my  brethren  concerning  the  gospel  which 
should  be  preached  among  the  Jews, 

14  And  also  concerning  the  dwindling  of  the  Jews  in  un- 
belief. 

15  And  after  they  had  slain  the  Messiah  who  should  come, 
and  after  he  had  been  slain,  he  should  rise  from  the  dead, 
and  should  make  himself  manifest  by  the  Holy  Ghost  unto  the 
Gentiles. 

16  ^Yea,  even  my  father  spake  much  concerning  the  Gen- 
tiles, and  also  concerning  the  house  of  Israel,  that  they  should 
be  compared  like  unto  an  olive  tree,  whose  branches  should 
be  broken  off,  and  should  be  scattered  upon  all  the  face  of 
the  earth. 

17  Wherefore  he  said  it  must  needs  be  that  we  should  be 
led  with  one  accord  into  the  land  of  promise,  unto  the  fulfill- 
ing of  the  word  of  the  Lord  that  we  should  be  scattered  upon 
all  the  face  of  the  earth. 

18  And  after  the  house  of  Israel  should  be  scattered,  they 
should  be  gathered  together  again; 

19  Or,  in  fine,  after  the  Gentiles  had  received  the  fullness 
of  the  gospel,  the  natural  branches  of  the  olive  tree,  or  the 
remnants  of  the  house  of  Israel,  should  be  grafted  in,  or  come 
to  the  knowledge  of  the  true  Messiah,  their  Lord  and  their 
Redeemer. 

20  And  after  this  manner  of  language  did  my  father 
prophesy  and  speak  unto  my  brethren; 

21  And  also  many  more  things,  which  I  do  not  write  in 
this  book;  for  I  have  written  as  many  of  them  as  were  expe- 
dient for  me  in  mine  other  book. 

22  And  all  these  things  of  which  I  have  spoken,  were  done 
as  my  father  dwelt  in  a  tent  in  the  valley  of  Lemuel. 

23  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  after  I,  Nephi,  having  heard  all 
the  v;ords  of  my  father  concerning  the  things  which  he  saw 
in  a  vision; 


26  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  3. 

24  And  also  the  things  which  he  spake  by  the  power  of  the 
Holy  Ghost;  which  power  he  received  by  faith  on  the  Son  of 
God; 

25  And  the  Son  of  God  was  the  Messiah  who  should  come; 

26  ^I,  Nephi,  was  desirous  also  that  I  might  see,  and  hear, 
and  know  of  these  things,  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
which  is  the  gift  of  God  unto  ail  those  who  diligently  seek 
him,  as  well  in  times  of  old  as  in  the  time  that  he  should 
manifest  himself  unto  the  children  of  men: 

27  For  he  is  the  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever. 

28  And  the  way  is  prepared  from  the  foundation  of  the 
world,  if  it  so  be  that  they  repent  and  com.e  unto  him; 

29  For  he  that  diligently  seeketh  shall  find; 

30  And  the  mysteries  of  God  shall  be  unfolded  unto  them 
by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  as  well  in  this  time  as  in 
times  of  old; 

31  And  as  v/ell  in  times  of  old  as  in  times  to  come; 

'     32  Wherefore,  the  course  of  the  Lord  is  one  eternal  round. 

33  Therefore  remember,  0  man,  for  all  thy  doings  thou 
shalt  be  brought  into  judgment. 

34,  Wherefore,  if  ye  have  sought  to  do  wickedly  in  the  days 
of  your  probation,  then  ye  are  found  unclean  before  the  judg- 
ment seat  of  God; 

35  And  no  unclean  thing  can  dwell  with  God;  wherefoT:-e 
ye  must  be  cast  off  for  ever. 

36  And  the  Holy  Ghost  giveth  authority  that  I  should 
speak  these  things  and  deny  them  not. 

37  ^For  it  came  to  pass  after  I  had  desired  to  know  the 
things  that  my  father  had  seen,  and  believing  that  the  Lord 
was  able  to  make  them  known  unto  me, 

38  As  I  sat  pondering  in  mine  heart  I  was  caught  away  in 
the  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  yea,  into  an  exceeding  high  mountain, 
which  I  never  had  before  seen,  and  upon  which  I  never  had 
before  set  my  foot. 

39  And  the  Spirit  said  unto  me,  Behold,  what  desirest  thou? 


CHAP.  3.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  27 

40  And  I  said,  I  desire  to  behold  the  things  v/hich  my 
father  saw. 

41  And  the  Spirit  said  unto  me,  Believest  thou  that  thy 
father  saw  the  tree  of  which  he  hath  spoken? 

42  And  I  said.  Yea,  thou  knowest  that  I  believe  all  the 
words  of  my  father. 

43  IJAnd  when  I  had  spoken  these  words,  the  Spirit  cried 
with  a  loud  voice,  saying,  Hosanna  to  the  Lord,  the  most  high 
God;    for  he  is  God  over  all  the  earth,  yea,  even  above  all. 

44  And  blessed  art  thou,  Nephi,  because  thou  believest  in 
the  Son  of  the  most  high  God;  wherefore,  thou  shalt  behold 
the  things  which  thou  hast  desired. 

45  And  behold,  this  thing  shall  be  given  unto  thee  for  a 
sign,  that  after  thou  hast  beheld  the  tree  which  bore  the  fruit 
which  thy  father  tasted,  thou  shalt  also  behold  a  man  de- 
scending out  of  heaven;  and  him  shall  ye  witness;  and  after 
he  have  witnessed  him,  ye  shall  bear  record  that  it  is  the  Son 
of  God. 

46  f[And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Spirit  said  unto  me.  Look ! 
and  I  looked  and  beheld  a  tree;  and  it  was  like  unto  the  tree 
which  my  father  had  seen;  and  the  beauty  thereof  was  far 
beyond,  yea,  exceeding  of  all  beauty;  and  the  v/hiteness 
thereof  did  exceed  the  whiteness  of  the  driven  snow. 

47  ^And  it  came  to  pass  after  I  had  seen  the  tree,  I  said 
unto  the  Spirit,  I  behold  thou  hast  shewn  unto  me  the  tree 
which  is  precious  above  all. 

48  And  he  said  unto  me.  What  desirest  thou? 

49  And  I  said  unto  him,  To  knov/  the  interpretation 
thereof : 

50  For  I  spake  unto  him  as  a  man  speaketh;  for  I  beheld 
that  he  was  in  the  form  of  a  man;  yet,  nevertheless,  I  knev; 
that  it  w^as  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord:  and  he  spake  unto  me  as 
a  man  speaketh  with  another. 

51  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  said  unto  me,  Look!  and 
I  looked  as  if  to  look  upon  him,  and  I  saw  him  not;  for  he 
had  gone  from  before  my  presence. 


28  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  3. 

52  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  looked  and  beheld  the  great 
city  of  Jerusalem,  and  also  other  cities. 

53  And  I  beheld  the  city  of  Nazareth:  and  in  the  city  of 
Nazareth  I  beheld  a  virgin,  and  she  was  exceedingly  fair  and 
white. 

54  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  saw  the  heavens  open;  and 
an  angel  came  down  and  stood  before  me;  and  he  said  unto 
me,  Nephi,  what  beholdest  thou? 

55  And  I  said  unto  him,  A  virgin,  most  beautiful  and  fair 
above  all  other  virgins. 

56  And  he  said  unto  me,  Knowest  thou  the  condescension 
of  God? 

57  And  I  said  unto  him,  I  know  that  he  loveth  his  children; 
nevertheless  I  do  not  know  the  meaning  of  all  things. 

58  And  he  said  unto  me,  Behold,  the  virgin  whom  thou 
seest  is  the  mother  of  the  Son  of  God,  after  the  manner  of 
the  flesh. 

59  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  I  beheld  that  she  was  carried 
away  in  the  Spirit; 

60  And  after  she  had  been  carried  away  in  the  Spirit  for 
the  space  of  a  time,  the  angel  spake  unto  me,  saying,  Look! 

61  And  I  looked  and  beheld  the  virgin  again,  bearing  a 
child  in  her  arms. 

62  And  the  angel  said  unto  me,  Behold  the  Lamb  of  God, 
yea,  even  the  Son  of  the  Eternal  Father ! 

63  Knowest  thou  the  meaning  of  the  tree  which  thy  father 
saw? 

64  And  I  answered  him,  saying,  Yea,  it  is  the  love  of  God, 
which  sheddeth  itself  abroad  in  the  hearts  of  the  children  of 
men;  wherefore  it  is  the  most  desirable  above  all  things. 

65  And  he  spake  unto  me,  saying,  Yea,  and  the  most  joy- 
ous to  the  soul. 

66  And  after  he  had  said  these  words,  he  said  unto  me, 
Look!  And  I  looked,  and  I  beheld  the  Son  of  God  going  forth 
among  the  children  of  men: 

67  And  I  saw  many  fall  down  at  his  feet  and  worship  him. 

68  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  I  beheld  that  the  rod  of  iron, 


CHAP.  3.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHL  29 

which  my  father  had  seen,  v/as  the  word  of  God,  which  led  to 
the  fountain  of  living  waters,  or  to  the  tree  of  life;  which 
waters  are  a  representation  of  the  love  of  God; 

69  And  I  also  beheld  that  the  tree  of  life  was  a  representa- 
tion of  the  love  of  God. 

70  And  the  angel  said  unto  me  again,  Look  and  behold  the 
condescension  of  God! 

71  And  I  looked  and  beheld  the  Redeemer  of  the  world,  of 
whom  my  father  had  spoken; 

72  And  I  also  beheld  the  prophet  who  should  prepare  the 
way  before  him. 

73  And  the  Lamb  of  God  went  forth  and  was  baptized  of 
him; 

74  And  after  he  was  baptized,  I  beheld  the  heavens  open, 
and  the  Holy  Ghost  come  down  out  of  heaven  and  abode  upon 
him  in  the  form  of  a  dove. 

75  And  I  beheld  that  he  went  forth  ministering  unto  the 
people  in  power  and  great  glory; 

76  And  the  multitudes  were  gathered  together  to  hear  him ; 

77  And  I  beheld  that  they  cast  him  out  from  among  them. 

78  And  I  also  beneld  twelve  others  following  him. 

79  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  they  were  carried  away  in  the 
Spirit,  from  before  my  face,  and  I  saw  them  not. 

80  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  angel  spake  unto  me  again, 
saying,  Look!  And  I  looked,  and  I  beheld  the  heavens  open 
again, 

81  And  I  saw  angels  descending  upon  the  children  of  men; 
and  they  did  minister  unto  them. 

82  And  he  spake  unto  me  again,  saying.  Look!  And  I 
looked,  and  I  beheld  the  Lamb  of  God  going  forth  among  the 
children  of  men. 

83  And  I  beheld  multitudes  of  people  who  were  sick,  and 
who  were  afflicted  with  all  manner  of  diseases,  and  with 
devils,  and  unclean  spirits; 

84  And  the  angel  spake  and  shewed  all  these  things  unto 
me. 


30  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  3. 

85  And  they  were  healed  by  the  power  of  the  Lamb  of  God, 
and  the  devils  and  the  unclean  spirits  were  cast  out. 

86  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  angel  spake  unto  me 
again,  saying,  Look!  And  I  looked  and  beheld  the  Lamb  of 
God,  that  he  was  taken  by  the  people;  yea,  the  Son  of  the 
everlasting  God  was  judged  of  the  world;  and  I  saw  and  bear 
record. 

87  And  I,  Nephi,  saw  that  he  was  lifted  up  upon  the  cross, 
and  slain  for  the  sins  of  the  world. 

88  And  after  he  was  slain,  I  saw  the  multitudes  of  the 
earth,  that  they  were  gathered  together  to  fight  against  the 
apostles  of  the  Lamb;  for  thus  were  the  tv/elve  called  by  the 
angel  of  the  Lord. 

89  And  the  multitude  of  the  earth  was  gathered  together; 

90  And  I  beheld  that  they  were  in  a  large  and  spacious 
building,  like  unto  the  building  which  my  father  saw. 

91  And  the  angel  of  the  Lord  spake  unto  me  again,  saying, 
Behold  the  world  and  the  wisdom  thereof; 

92  Yea,  behold,  the  house  of  Israel  hath  gathered  together 
to  fight  against  the  twelve  apostles  of  the  Lamb. 

93  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  I  saw  and  bear  record,  that 
the  great  and  spacious  building  was  the  pride  of  the  world; 

94  And  it  fell;  and  the  fall  thereof  was  exceedinP:  great. 

95  And  the  angel  of  the  Lord  spake  unto  me  again,  saying, 
Thus  shall  be  the  destruction  of  all  nations,  kindreds,  tongues 
and  people,  that  shall  fight  against  the  twelve  apostles  of  the 
Lamb. 

96  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  angel  said  unto  me,  Look 
and  behold  thy  seed,  and  also  the  seed  of  thy  brethren! 

97  And  I  looked  and  beheld  the  land  of  promise; 

98  And  I  beheld  multitudes  of  people,  yea,  even  as  it  were 
in  number  as  many  as  the  sand  of  the  sea. 

99  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  beheld  multitudes  gathered 
together  to  battle,  one  against  the  other;  and  I  beheld  wars, 
and  rumors  of  wars,  and  great  slaughters  with  the  sword 
among  my  people. 

100  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  beheld  many  generations 


CHAP.  3.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  31 

pass  away,  after  the  manner  of  wars  and  contentions  in  the 
land; 

101  And  I  beheld  many  cities,  yea,  even  that  I  did  not 
number  them. 

102  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  saw  a  mist  of  darkness  on 
the  face  of  the  land  of  promise; 

103  And  I  saw  lightnings,  and  I  heard  thunderings,  and 
earthquakes,  and  all  manner  of  tumultuous  noises; 

104  And  I  saw  the  earth  and  the  rocks  that  they  rent; 

105  And  I  saw  mountains  tumbling  into  pieces; 

106  And  I  saw  the  plains  of  the  earth,  that  they  were 
broken  up; 

107  And  I  saw  many  cities,  that  they  were  sunk; 

108  And  I  saw  many  that  they  were  burned  with  fire; 

109  And  I  saw  many  that  did  tumble  to  the  earth,  because 
of  the  quaking  thereof. 

110  ^And  it  came  to  pass  after  I  saw  these  things,  I  saw 
the  vapor  of  darkness,  that  it  passed  from  off  the  face  of  the 
earth ; 

111  And  behold,  I  saw  multitudes  who  had  fallen  because 
of  the  great  and  terrible  judgments  of  the  Lord. 

112  And  I  saw  the  heavens  open,  and  the  Lamb  of  God 
descending  out  of  heaven;  and  he  came  down  and  shewed  him.- 
self  unto  them. 

113  And  I  also  sav/  and  bear  record  that  the  Holy  Ghost 
fell  upon  twelve  others,  and  they  were  ordained  of  God,  and 
chosen. 

114  ^jAnd  the  angel  spake  unto  me,  saying.  Behold  the 
twelve  disciples  of  the  Lamb,  who  are  chosen  to  minister  unto 
thy  seed. 

115  And  he  said  unto  me.  Thou  remembereth  the  twelve 
apostles  of  the  Lamb?  Behold  they  are  they  who  shall  judge 
the  twelve  tribes  of  Israel: 

116  Wherefore,  the  twelve  ministers  of  thy  seed  shall  be 
judged  of  them;  for  ye  are  of  the  house  of  Israel;  and  these 
twelve  ministers  whom  thou  beholdest,  shall  judge  thy  seed. 

117  And  behold  they  are  righteous  for  ever;   for  because  of 


32  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  3. 

their  faith   in  the  Lamb  of   God,  their  garments  are  made 
white  in  his  blood. 

118  ^And  the  angel  said  unto  me,  Look!  And  I  looked  and 
beheld  three  generations  pass  away  in  righteousness,  and 
their  garments  were  white,  even  like  unto  the  Lamb  of  God. 

119  And  the  angel  said  unto  me.  These  are  made  white  in 
the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  because  of  their  faith  in  him. 

120  And  I,  Nephi,  also  saw  many  of  the  fourth  generation, 
who  passed  away  in  righteousness. 

121  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  saw  the  multitudes  of  the 
earth  gathered  together. 

122  And  the  angel  said  unto  me.  Behold  thy  seed,  and  also 
the  seed  of  thy  brethren. 

123  And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  looked  and  beheld  the  peo- 
ple of  my  seed  gathered  together  in  multitudes  against  the 
seed  of  my  brethren;  and  they  were  gathered  together  to 
battle. 

124  ^And  the  angel  spake  unto  me,  saying.  Behold  the 
fountain  of  filthy  water  which  thy  father  saw;  yea,  even  the 
river  of  which  he  spake;  and  the  depths  thereof  are  the 
depths  of  hell; 

125  And  the  mists  of  darkness  are  the  temptations  of  the 
devil,  which  blindeth  the  eyes,  and  hardeneth  the  hearts  of 
the  children  of  men,  and  leadeth  them  away  into  broad  roads, 
that  they  may  perish,  and  are  lost; 

126  And  the  large  and  spacious  building  which  thy  father 
saw  is  vain  imaginations  and  the  pride  of  the  children  of  meii. 

127  And  a  great  and  a  terrible  gulf  divideth  them;  yea, 
even  the  word  of  the  justice  of  the  eternal  God,  and  the 
Messiah  who  is  the  Lamb  of  God,  of  whom  the  Holy  Ghost 
beareth  record,  from  the  beginning  of  the  world  until  this 
time,  and  from  this  time  henceforth  and  for  ever. 

128  And  while  the  angel  spake  these  words,  I  beheld  and 
saw  that  the  seed  of  my  brethren  did  contend  against  my 
seed,  according  to  the  word  of  the  angel; 

129  And  because  of  the  pride  of  my  seed,  and  the  tempta- 


CHAP.  3.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHL  33 

tions  of  the  devil,  I  beheld  that  the  seed  of  my  brethren  did 
overpower  the  people  of  my  seed. 

130  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  beheld  and  saw  the  people 
of  the  seed  of  my  brethren,  that  they  had  overcome  my  seed; 
and  they  went  forth  in  multitudes  upon  the  face  of  the  land. 

131  And  I  saw  them  gathered  together  in  multitudes; 

132  And  I  saw  wars  and  rumors  of  wars  among  them;  and 
in  wars,  and  rumors  of  wars,  I  saw  many  generations  pass 
away. 

133  And  the  angel  said  unto  me.  Behold,  these  shall  dwindle 
in  unbelief. 

134  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  beheld  after  they  had 
dwindled  in  unbelief,  they  became  a  dark  and  loathsome,  and 
a  filthy  people,  full  of  idleness  and  all  manner  of  abomina- 
tions. 

135  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  angel  spake  unto  me, 
saying,  Look!  And  I  looked  and  beheld  many  nations  and 
kingdoms. 

136  And  the  angel  said  unto  me.  What  beholdest  thou? 

137  And  I  said,  I  behold  many  nations  and  kingdoms. 

138  And  he  said  unto  me.  These  are  the  nations  and  king- 
doms of  the  Gentiles. 

139  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  saw  among  the  nations  of 
the  Gentiles  the  foundation  of  a  great  church. 

140  And  the  angel  said  unto  me.  Behold  the  foundation  of 
a  church,  which  is  most  abominable  above  all  other  churches, 
which  slayeth  the  saints  of  God,  yea,  and  tortureth  them  and 
bindeth  them  down,  and  yoketh  them  with  a  yoke  of  iron,  and 
bringeth  them  down  into  captivity. 

141  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  beheld  this  great  and 
abominable  church;  and  I  saw  the  devil  that  he  was  the 
foundation  of  it. 

142  And  I  also  saw  gold  and  silver,  and  silks,  and  scarlets, 
and  fine  twined  linen,  and  all  manner  of  precious  clothing; 
and  I  saw  many  harlots. 

143  And  the  angel  spake  unto  me,  saying,  Behold  the  gold, 
and  the  silver.    And  the  silks,  and  the  scarlets,  and  the  fine 


34  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  3. 

twined  linen,  and  the  precious  clothing,  and  the  harlots,  are 
the  desires  of  this  great  and  abominable  church; 

144  And  also  for  the  praise  of  the  world  do  they  destroy 
the  saints  of  God,  and  bring  them  down  into  captivity. 

145  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  looked  and  beheld  many 
waters;  and  they  divided  the  Gentiles  from  the  seed  of  my 
brethren. 

146  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  angel  said  unto  me. 
Behold  the  wrath  of  God  is  upon  the  seed  of  thy  brethren! 

147  And  I  looked  and  beheld  a  man  among  the  Gentiles, 
who  was  separated  from  the  seed  of  my  brethren  by  the-  many 
waters;  and  I  beheld  the  Spirit  of  God,  that  it  came  down 
and  wrought  upon  the  man;  and  he  Vs?ent  forth  upon  the 
many  waters,  even  unto  the  seed  of  my  brethren,  who  were  in 
the  promised  land. 

148  ][And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  beheld  the  Spirit  of  God, 
that  it  wrought  upon  other  Gentiles;  and  they  went  forth  out 
of  captivity,  upon  the  many  waters. 

149  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  beheld  many  multitudes 
of  the  Gentiles  upon  the  land  of  promise; 

150  And  I  beheld  the  wrath  of  God  that  it  was  upon  the 
seed  of  my  brethren;  and  they  were  scattered  before  the 
Gentiles,  and  were  smitten. 

151  And  I  beheld  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  that  it  was  upon 
the  Gentiles;  that  they  did  prosper,  and  obtain  the  land  for 
their  inheritance;  and  I  beheld  that  they^  were  white,  and 
exceeding  fair  and  beautiful,  like  anto  my  people  before  they 
were  slain. 

152  TJAnd  it  came  to  pnss  that  I,  Nephi,  beheld  that  the  Gen- 
tiles who  had  gone  forth  out  of  captivity  did  humble  them- 
selves before  the  Lord,  and  the  power  of  the  Lord  was  with 
th  em ; 

153  And  I  beheld  that  their  mother  Gentiles  v/ere  gathered 
together  upon  the  waters,  and  upon  the  land  also,  to  battle 
against  them; 

154  And  I  beheld  that  the  'power  of  God  was  with  them; 


CHAP.  3.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  35 

and  also  that  the  wrath  of  God  was  upon  all  those  that  were 
gathered  together  against  them  to  battle. 

155  And  I,  Nephi,  beheld  that  the  Gentiles  that  had  gone 
out  of  captivity  were  delivered  by  the  power  of  God  out  of 
the  hands  of  all  other  nations. 

156  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  Nephi,  beheld  that  they 
did  prosper  in  the  land; 

157  And  I  beheld  a  book,  and  it  was  carried  forth  among 
them. 

158  And  the  angel  said  unto  me,  Knowest  thou  the  meaning 
of  the  book? 

159  And  I  said  unto  him,  I  know  not. 

160  And  he  said.  Behold,  it  proceedeth  out  of  the  mouth  of 
a  Jew-;  and  I,  Nephi,  beheld  it; 

161  And  he  said  unto  me,  The  book  that  thou  beholdest  is  a 
record  of  the  Jews,  which  contains  the  covenants  of  the  Lord 
which  he  hath  made  unto  the  house  of  Israel; 

162  And  it  also  containeth  many  of  the  prophecies  of  the 
holy  prophets;  , 

163  And  it  is  a  record  like  unto  the  engravings  which  are 
upon  the  plates  of  brass,  save  there  are  not  so  many;  never- 
theless, they  contain  the  covenants  of  the  Lord  which  he 
hath  made  unto  the  house  of  Israel; 

164  Wherefore,  they  are  of  great  worth  unto  the  Gentiles. 

165  ^And  the  angel  of  the  Lord  said  unto  me,  Thou  hast 
beheld  that  the  book  proceeded  forth  from  the  mouth  of  a 
Jew;  and  when  it  proceeded  forth  from  the  mouth  of  a  Jew 
it  contained  the  plainness  of  the  gospel  of  the  Lord,  of  whom 
the  twelve  apostles  bear  record;  and  they  bear  record  accord- 
ing to  the  truth  which  is  in  the  Lamb  of  God: 

166  V/herefore,  these  things  go  forth  from  the  Jews  in 
purity  unto  the  Gentiles,  according  to  the  truth  which  is  in 
God: 

167  And  after  they  go  forth  by  the  hand  of  the  twelve 
apostles  of  the  Lamb,  from  the  Jews  unto  the  Gentiles,  thou 
seest  the  foundation  of  a  great  and  abominable  church,  which 
is  most  abominable  above  ail  other  churches; 


36  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  3. 

168  For  behold,  they  have  taken  away  from  the  gospel  of 
the  Lamb  many  parts  which  are  plain  and  most  precious; 

169  And  also  many  covenants  of  the  Lord  have  they  taken 
away; 

170  And  all  this  have  they  done  that  they  might  pervert 
the  right  ways  of  the  Lord;  that  they  might  blind  the  eyes 
and  harden  the  hearts  of  the  children  of  men: 

171  Wherefore,  thou  seest  that  after  the  book  hath  gone 
forth  through  the  hands  of  the  great  and  abominable  church 
that  there  are  many  plain  and  precious  things  taken  away 
from  the  book,  which  is  the  book  of  the  Lamb  of  God; 

172  And  after  these  plain  and  precious  things  were  taken 
away,  it  goeth  forth  unto  all  the  nations  of  the  Gentiles: 

173  And  after  it  goeth,  forth  unto  all  the  nations  of  the 
Gentiles,  yea,  even  across  the  many  waters  which  thou  hast 
seen,  with  the  Gentiles  which  have  gone  forth  out  of  cap- 
tivity; 

174  Thou  seest  because  of  the  many  plain  and  precious 
things  which  have .  been  taken  out  of  the  book,  which  were 
plain  unto  the  understanding  of  the  children  of  men,  accord- 
ing to  the  plainness  which  is  in  the  Lamb  of  God; 

175  Because  of  these  things  which  are  taken  away  out  of 
the  gospel  of  the  Lamb,  an  exceeding  great  many  do  stumble, 
yea,  insomuch  that  Satan  hath  great  power  over  them; 

176  Nevertheless  thou  beholdest  that  the  Gentiles  who  have 
gone  forth  out  of  captivity,  and  have  been  lifted  up  by  the 
power  of  God  above  all  other  nations  upon  the  face  of  the 
land,  which  is  choice  above  all  other  lands, 

177  Which  is  the  land  that  the  Lord  God  hath  covenanted 
with  thy  father  that  his  seed  should  have  for  the  land  of 
their  inheritance,  will  not  utterly  destroy  the  mixture  of  thy 
seed,  which  are  among  thy  brethren; 

178  Neither  will  he  suffer  that  the  Gentiles  shall  destroy 
the  seed  of  thy  brethren; 

179  Neither  will  the  Lord  God  suffer  that  the  Gentiles  shall 
for  ever  remain  in  that  awful  state  of  blindness,  which  thou 
beholdest  they  are  in  because  of  the  plain  and  most  precious 


CHAP.  3.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  37 

parts  of  the  gospel  of  the  Lamb  which  have  been  kept  back 
by  that  abominable  church,  whose  formation  thou  hast  seen. 

180  Wherefore,  saith  the  Lamb  of  God,  I  will  be  merciful 
unto  the  Gentiles,  unto  the  visiting  of  the  remnant  of  the 
house  of  Israel  in  great  judgment. 

181  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  angel  of  the  Lord  spake 
unto  me,  saying,  Behold,  saith  the  Lamb  of  God,  after  I  have 
visited  the  remnant  of  the  house  of  Israel,  and  this  remnant 
of  whom  I  speak  is  the  seed  of  thy  father; 

182  Wherefore,  after  I  have  visited  them  in  judgment,  and 
smitten  them  by  the  hand  of  the  Gentiles; 

183  And  after  the  Gentiles  do  stumble  exceedingly  because 
of  the  most  plain  and  precious  parts  of  the  gospel  of  the 
Lamb  which  has  been  kept  back,  by  that  abominable  church, 
which  is  the  mother  of  harlots,  saith  the  Lamb,  I  will  be  mer- 
ciful unto  the  Gentiles  in  that  day,  insomuch  that  I  will  bring 
forth  unto  them  in  mine  own  power,  much  of  my  gospel, 
which  shall  be  plain  and  precious,  saith  the  Lamb; 

184  For  behold,  saith  the  Lamb,  I  will  manifest  myself 
unto  thy  seed,  that  they  shall  write  many  things  which  I 
shall  minister  unto  them,  which  shall  be  plain  and  precious; 

185  And  after  thy  seed  shall  be  destroyed  and  dwindle  in 
unbelief,  and  also  the  seed  of  thy  brethren;  behold,  these 
things  shall  be  hid  up,  to  come  forth  unto  the  Gentiles  by  the 
gift  and  power  of  the  Lamb; 

186  And  in  them  shall  be  written  my  gospel,  saith  the 
Lamb,  and  my  rock  and  my  salvation; 

187  And  blessed  are  they  who  shall  seek  to  bring  forth  my 
Zion  at  that  day,  for  they  shall  have  the  gift  and  the  power  of 
the  Holy  Ghost; 

188  And  if  they  endure  unto  the  end,  they  shall  be  lifted 
up  at  the  last  day,  and  shall  be  saved  in  the  everlasting  king- 
dom of  the  Lamb; 

189  And  whoso  shall  publish  peace,  yea,  tidings  of  great 
joy,  how  beautiful  upon  the  mountains  shall  they  be. 

190  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  beheld  the  remnant  of  the 
seed  of  my  brethren,  and  also  the  book  of  the  Lamb  of  God, 


38  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  3. 

which  had  proceeded  forth  from  the  mouth  of  the  Jew,  that  it 
came  forth  from  the  Gentiles,  unto  the  remnant  of  the  seed  ol 
my  brethren; 

191  And  after  it  had  come  forth  unto  them,  I  beheld  other 
books  which  came  forth  by  the  power  cf  the  Lamb,  from  the 
Gentiles  unto  them,  unto  the  convincing  of  the  Gentiles,  and 
the  remnant  of  the  seed  of  my  brethren,  and  also  the  Jev/s, 
who  were  scattered  upon  all  the  face  of  the  earth,  that  the 
records  of  the  prophets  and  of  the  twelve  apostles  of  the 
Lamb  are  true. 

192  ^And  the  angel  spake  unto  me,  saying,  These  last 
records  which  thou  hast  seen  among  the  Gentiles  shall  estab- 
lish the  truth  of  the  first,  which  are  of  the  twelve  apostles 
of  the  Lamb,  and  shall  make  known  the  plain  and  precious 
things  which  have  been  taken  away  from  them; 

193  And  shall  make  known  to  all  kindreds,  tongues  and 
people,  that  the  Lamb  of  God  is  the  Son  of  the  Eternal 
Father,  and  the  Savior  of  the  world;  and  that  all  men  must 
come  unto  him.  or  they  can  not  be  saved; 

194  And  they  must  come  according  to  the  words  which 
shall  be  established  by  the  mouth  of  the  Lamb; 

195  And  the  words  of  the  Lamb  shall  be  made  known  in 
the  records  of  thy  seed,  as  well  as  in  the  records  of  the 
twelve  apostles  of  the  Lamb; 

196  Wherefore,  they  both  shall  be  established  in  one; 

197  For  there  is  one  God  and  one  Shepherd  over  all  the 
earth ; 

198  And  the  time  cometh  that  he  shall  manifest  himself 
unto  all  nations,  both  unto  the  Jews,  and  also  unto  the  Gen- 
tiles ; 

199  And  after  he  has  manifested  himself  unto  the  Jews 
and  also  unto  the  Gentiles;  then  he  shall  manifest  himself 
unto  the  Gentiles,  and  also  unto  the  Jews, 

200  And  the  last  shall  be  first,  and  the  first  shall  be  last. 

201  ^And  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  if  the  Gentiles  shall 
hearken  unto  the  Lamb  of  God  in  that  day  that  he  shall  mani- 
fest himself  unto  them  in  word,  and  also  in  power,  in  very 


CHAP.  3.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  39 

deed,  unto  the  taking  away  of  their  stumbling-blocks,  and 
harden  not  their  hearts  against  the  Lamb  of  God,  they  shall 
be  numbered  among  the  seed  of  thy  father; 

202  Yea,  they  shall  be  numbered  among  the  house  of  Israel; 

203  And  they  shall  be  a  blessed  people  upon  the  promised 
land  for  ever; 

204  They  shall  be  no  more  brought  down  into  captivity; 

205  And  the  house  of  Israel  shall  no  more  be  confounded; 

206  And  that  great  pit  which  hath  been  digged  for  them 
by  that  great  and  abominable  church,  which  was  founded  by 
the  devil  and  his  children,  that  he  might  lead  away  the  souls 
of  men  down  to  hell; 

207  Yea,  that  great  pit  which  hath  been  digged  for  the 
destruction  of  men,  shall  be  filled  by  those  who  digged  it, 
unto  their  utter  destruction,  saith  the  Lamb  of  God; 

208  Not  the  destruction  of  the  soul,  save  it  be  the  casting 
of  it  into  that  hell  which  hath  no  end; 

209  For  behold,  this  is  according  to  the  captivity  of  the 
devil,  and  also  according  to  the  justice  of  God,  upon  all 
those  who  will  work  wickedness  and  abomination  before  him. 

210  llAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  angel  spake  unto  me, 
Nephi,  saying,  Thou  hast  beheld  that  if  the  Gentiles  repent, 
it  shall  be  well  w^ith  them; 

211  And  thou  also  knowest  concerning  the  covenants  of  the 
Lord  unto  the  house  of  Israel; 

212  And  thou  also  hast  heard,  that  v/hoso  repenteth  not, 
must  perish; 

213  Therefore,  wo,  be  unto  the  Gentiles,  if  it  so  be  that 
they  harden  their  hearts  against  the  Lamb  of  God; 

214  For  the  time  cometh,  saith  the  Lamb  of  God,  that  I 
will  work  a  great  and  a  marvelous  work  among  the  children 
of  men; 

215  A  work  which  shall  be  everlasting,  either  on  the  one 
hand  or  on  the  other; 

216  Either  to  the  convincing  of  them  \into  peace  and  life 
eternal,  or  unto  the  deliverance  of  them  to  the  hardness  of 
their  hearts  and  the  blindness  of  their  minds,  unto  their  being 


40  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  3. 

brought  down  into  captivity  and  also  unto  destruction,  both 
temporally  and  spiritually,  according;  to  the  captivity  of  the 
devil,  of  which  I  have  spoken. 

217  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  the  angel  had  spoken 
these  words,  he  said  unto  me.  Remember  thou  the  covenants 
of  the  Father  unto  the  house  of  Israel? 

218  I  said  unto  him,  Yea. 

219  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  said  unto  me.  Look  and 
behold  that  great  and  abominable  church,  which  is  the  mother 
of  abominations,  whose  founder  is  the  devil. 

220  And  he  said  unto  me.  Behold,  there  are  save  two 
churches    only: 

221  The  one  is  the  church  of  the  Lamb  of  God,  and  the 
other  is  the  church  of  the  devil; 

222  Wherefore,  whoso  belongeth  not  to  the  church  of  the 
Lamb  of  God  belongeth  to  that  great  church,  which  is  the 
mother  of  abominations; 

223  And  she  is  the  whore  of  all  the  earth. 

224  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  I  looked  and  beheld  the 
whore  of  all  the  earth,  and  she  sat  upon  many  waters; 

225  And  she  had  dominion  over  all  the  earth,  among  all 
nations,  kindreds,  tongues  and  people. 

226  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  beheld  the  church  of  the 
Lamb  of  God,  and  its  numbers  were  few,  because  of  the  wick- 
edness and  abominations  of  the  whore  who  sat  upon  many 
waters ; 

227  Nevertheless,  I  beheld  that  the  church  of  the  Lamb, 
who  were  the  saints  of  God,  were  also  upon  all  the  face  of 
the  earth; 

228  And  their  dominions  upon  the  face  of  the  earth  were 
small,  because  of  the  wickedness  of  the  great  whore  whom  I 
saw. 

229  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  I  beheld  that  the  great 
mother  of  abominations  did  gather  together  in  multitudes 
upon  the  face  of  all  the  earth,  among  all  the  nations  of  the 
Gentiles,  to  fight  against  the  Lamb  of  God. 

230  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  Nephi,  beheld  the  power 


CHAP.  3.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  41 

of  the  Lamb  of  God,  that  it  descended  upon  the  saints  of  the 
church  of  the  Lamb,  and  upon  the  covenant  people  of  the 
Lord,  who  were  scattered  upon  all  the  face  of  the  earth; 

231  And  they  were  armed  with  righteousness  and  with  the 
power  of  God  in  great  glory. 

232  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  beheld  that  the  wrath  of 
God  was  poured  out  upon  the  great  and  abominable  church, 
insomuch  that  there  were  wars  and  rumors  of  wars  among 
all  the  nations  and  kindreds  of  the  earth, 

233  And  as  there  began  to  be  wars  and  rumors  of  wars 
among  all  the  nations  which  belonged  to  the  mother  of  abomi- 
nations, the  angel  spake  unto  me,  saying, 

234  Behold,  the  wrath  of  God  is  upon  the  mother  of  har- 
lots; 

235  And  behold,  thou  seest  all  these  things; 

236  And  when  the  day  cometh  that  the  wrath  of  God  is 
poured  out  upon  the  mother  of  harlots,  which  is  the  great 
and  abominable  church  of  all  the  earth,  whose  foundation  is 
the  devil, 

237  Then  at  that  day,  the  work  of  the  Father  shall  com- 
mence, in  preparing  the  way  for  the  fulfilling  of  his  cove- 
nants which  he  hath  made  to  his  people,  who  are  of  the  house 
of  Israel. 

238  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  angel  spake  unto  me, 
saying,  Look!  And  I  looked  and  beheld  a  man,  and  he  was 
dressed  in  a  white  robe; 

239  And  the  angel  said  unto  me,  Behold  one  of  the  twelve 
apostles  of  the  Lamb! 

240  Behold,  he  shall  see  and  write  the  remainder  of  these 
things ; 

241  Yea,  and  also  many  things  which  have  been; 

242  And  he  shall  also  write  concerning  the  end  of  the 
world ; 

243  Wherefore,  the  things  which  he  shall  write  are  just 
and  true; 

244  And  behold,  they  are  written  in  the  book  which  thou 
beheld  proceeding  out  of  the  mouth  of  the  Jew; 


42  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  3. 

245  And  at  the  time  they  proceeded  out  of  the  mouth  of  the 
Jew,  or,  at  the  time  the  book  proceeded  out  of  the  mouth  of 
the  Jew,  the  things  which  were  written  were  plain  and  pure, 
and  most  precious  and  easy  to  the  understanding  of  all  men. 

246  And  behold,  the  things  which  this  apostle  of  the  Lamb 
shall  write,  are  many  things  which  thou  hast  seen; 

247  And  behold,  the  remainder  shalt  thou  see; 

248  But  the  things  which  thou  shalt  see  hereafter,  thou 
shalt  not  write;  for  the  Lord  God  hath  ordained  the  apos- 
tle of  the  Lamb  of  God  that  he  should  write  them. 

249  And  also  others  who  have  been,  to  thern  hath  he  shown 
all  things,  and  they  have  written  them; 

250  And  they  are  sealed  up  to  come  forth  in  their  purity 
according  to  the  truth  which  is  in  the  Lamb,  in  the  own  due 
time  of  the  Lord,  unto  the  house  of  Israel. 

251  ^And  I,  Nephi,  heard  and  bear  record,  that  the  name 
of  the  apostle  of  the  Lamb  was  John,  according  to  the  word 
of  the  angel. 

252  And  behold,  I,  Nephi,  am  forbidden  that  I  should  write 
the  remainder  of  the  things  which  I  saw  and  heard;  where- 
fore, the  things  which  I  have  written  sufficeth  me; 

253  And  I  have  not  written  but  a  small  part  of  the  things 
which  I  saw. 

254  And  I  bear  record,  that  I  saw  the  things  which  my 
father  sav/,  and  the  angel  of  the  Lord  did  make  thera  known 
unto  me. 

255  And  nov/  I  make  an  end  of  speaking  concerning  the 
things  which  I  saw,  while  I  was  carried  away  in  the  Spirit; 

256  And  if  all  the  things  which  I  saw  are  not  written,  the 
things  v\rhich  I  have  written  are  true.    And  thus  it  is.    Amen. 


CHAP.  4.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  43 


CHAPTER    4. 

1  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  after  I,  Nephi,  had  been  car- 
ried away  in  the  Spirit,  and  seen  all  these  things,  I  returned 
to  the  tent  of  my  father. 

2  And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  beheld  my  brethren,  and  they 
were  disputing  one  with  another,  concerning  the  things  which 
my  father  had  spoken  unto  them; 

3  For  he  truly  spake  many  great  things  unto  them,  which 
were  hard  to  be  understood,  save  a  man  should  inquire  of  the 
Lord; 

4  And  they  being  hard  in  their  hearts,  therefore  they  did 
not  look  unto  the  Lord  as  they  ought. 

5  And  now  I,  Nephi,  was  grieved  because  of  the  hardness 
of  their  hearts,  and  also  because  of  the  things  which  I  had 
seen,  and  knew  they  must  unavoidably  come  to  pass  because 
of  the  great  wickedness  of  the  children  of  men. 

6  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  was  overcome  because  of  my 
afflictions,  for  I  considered  that  mine  afflictions  were  great 
above  all,  because  of  the  destructions  of  my  people;  for  I 
had  beheld  their  fall. 

7  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  after  I  had  received  strength, 
I  spake  unto  my  brethren,  desiring  to  know  of  them  the  cause 
of  their  disputations. 

8  And  they  said,  Behold,  we  can  not  understand  the  w^ords 
which  our  father  hath  spoken,  concerning  the  natural  branches 
of  the  olive  tree,  and  also  concerning  the  Gentiles. 

9  And  I  said  unto  them.  Have  ye  inquired  of  the  Lord? 

10  And  they  said  unto  me.  We  have  not;  for  the  Lord 
maketh  no  such  thing  known  unto  us. 

11  Behold,  I  said  unto  them.  How  is  it  that  ye  do  not  keep 
the  commandments  of  the  Lord? 

12  Hov/  is  it  that  ye  will  perish  because  of  the  hardness  of 
your  hearts? 

13  Do  ye  not  rerjiember  the  things  which  the  Lord  hath 
said,  If  ye  will  not  harden  your  hearts,  and  ask  me  in  faith, 
believing  that  ye  shall  receive,  with  diligence  in  keeping  my 


44  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  4. 

commandments,    surely,   these   things    shall   be   made    known 
unto  you? 

14  ^Behold,  I  say  unto  you,  that  the  house  of  Israel  was 
compared  unto  an  olive  tree,  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  which 
was  in  our  fathers; 

15  And  behold,  are  we  not  broken  off  from  the  house  of 
Israel;   and  are  we  not  a  branch  of  the  house  of  Israel? 

16  And  now,  the  thing  which  our  father  meaneth  concern- 
ing the  grafting  in  of  the  natural  branches  through  the  full- 
ness of  the  Gentiles,  is,  that  in  the  latter  days,  when  our 
seed  shall  have  dwindled  in  unbelief,  yea,  for  the  space  of 
many  years  and  many  generations,  after  the  Messiah  shall 
be  manifested  in  body  unto  the  children  of  men,  then  shall 
the  fullness  of  the  gospel  of  the  Messiah  come  unto  the  Gen- 
tiles, and  from  the  Gentiles  unto  the  remnant  of  our  seed; 

17  And  at  that  day  shall  the  remnant  of  our  seed  know 
that  they  are  of  the  house  of  Israel,  and  that  they  are  the 
covenant  people  of  the  Lord; 

18  And  then  shall  they  know  and  come  to  the  knowledge  of 
their  forefathers,  and  also  to  the  knowledge  of  the  gospel  of 
their  Redeemer,  which  was  ministered  unto  their  fathers  by 
him; 

19  Wherefore,  they  shall  come  to  the  knowledge  of  their 
Redeemer,  and  the  very  points  of  his  doctrine,  that  they  may 
know  how  to  come  unto  him  and  be  saved. 

20  And  then  at  that  day,  will  they  not  rejoice  and  give 
praise  unto  their  everlasting  God,  their  rock  and  their  salva- 
tion? 

21  Yea,  at  that  day,  will  they  not  receive  the  strength  and 
nourishment  from  the  true  vine? 

22  Yea,  will  they  not  come  unto  the  true  fold  of  God? 

23  Behold,  I  say  unto  you.  Yea:  they  shall  be  remembered 
again  among  the  house  of  Israel; 

24  They  shall  be  grafted  in,  being  a  natural  branch  of  the 
olive  tree,  into  the  true  olive  tree; 

25  And  this  is  what  our  father  meaneth ; 


CHAP.  4.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  45 

26  And  he  meaneth  that  it  will  not  come  to  pass,  until  after 
they  are  scattered  by  the  Gentiles; 

27  And  he  meaneth  that  it  shall  come  by  way  of  the  Gen- 
tiles, that  the  Lord  may  shew  his  power  unto  the  Gentiles, 
for  the  very  cause  that  he  shall  be  rejected  of  the  Jews,  or 
of  the  house  of  Israel: 

28  Wherefore,  our  father  hath  not  spoken  of  our  seed  alone, 
but  also  of  all  the  house  of  Israel,  pointing  to  the  covenant 
which  should  be  fulfilled  in  the  latter  days; 

29  Which  covenant  the  Lord  made  to  our  father  Abraham, 
saying.  In  thy  seed  shall  all  the  kindreds  of  the  earth  be 
blessed. 

30  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  Nephi,  spake  much  unto 
them  concerning  these  things; 

31  Yea,  I  spake  unto  them  concerning  the  restoration  of 
the  Jews,  in  the  latter  days; 

32  And  I  did  rehearse  unto  them  the  words  of  Isaiah,  who 
spake  concerning  the  restoration  of  the  Jews,  or  of  the  house 
of  Israel; 

33  And  after  they  were  restored,  they  should  no  more  be 
confounded,  neither  should  they  be  scattered  again. 

34  And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  did  speak  many  words  unto 
my  brethren,  that  they  were  pacified,  and  did  humble  them- 
selves before  the  Lord. 

35  11  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  speak  unto  me  again, 
saying.  What  meaneth  this  thing  which  our  father  saw  in  a 
dream? 

36  What  meaneth  the  tree  which  he  saw? 

37  And  I  said  unto  them.  It  was  a  representation  of  the 
tree  of  life. 

38  And  they  said  unto  me.  What  meaneth  the  rod  of  iron 
which  our  father  saw,  that  led  to  the  tree? 

39  And  I  said  unto  them,  that  it  was  the  word  of  God; 
and  whoso  would  hearken  unto  the  word  of  God,  and  would 
hold  fast  unto  it,  they  would  never  perish; 

40  Neither  could  the  temptations  and  the  fiery  darts  of  the 


4.6  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  4. 

adversary,  overpower  them  unto  blindness,  to  lead  them  away 
to  destruction. 

41  Wherefore,  I,  Nephi,  did  exhort  them  to  give  heed  unto 
the  word  of  the  Lord; 

42  Yea,  I  did  exhort  them  with  all  the  energies  of  my  soul, 
and  with  all  the  faculty  which  I  possessed,  that  they  would 
give  heed  to  the  word  of  God,  and  remember  to  keep  his  com- 
mandments always,  in  all  things. 

43  And  they  said  unto  me,  What  meaneth  the  river  of  water 
which  our  father  saw? 

44  And  I  said  unto  them,  that  the  water  which  my  father 
saw,  was  filthiness; 

45  And  so  much  was  his  mind  swallowed  up  in  other  things, 
that  he  beheld  not  the  filthiness  of  the  water; 

46  And  I  said  unto  them,  that  it  was  an  awful  gulf,  which 
separateth  the  wicked  from  the  tree  of  life,  and  also  from  the 
saints  of  God. 

47  And  I  said  unto  them,  that  it  was  a  representation  of 
that  awful  hell,  which  the  angel  said  unto  me  was  prepared 
for  the  wicked. 

48  And  I  said  unto  them  that  our  father  also  saw,  that  the 
justice  of  God  did  also  divide  the  wicked  from  the  righteous; 

49  And  the  brightness  thereof  was  like  unto  the  brightness 
of  a  flaming  fire,  which  ascendeth  up  unto  God  for  ever  and 
ever,  and  hath  no  end. 

50  ^And  they  said  unto  me^  Doth  this  thing  mean  the  tor- 
ment of  the  body  in  the  days  of  probation,  or  doth  it  mean 
the  final  state  of  the  soul  after  the  death  of  the  temporal 
body,  or  doth  it  speak  of  the  things  which  are  temporal? 

51  And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  said  unto  them,  that  it  was 
a  representation  of  things  both  temporal  and  spiritual; 

52  For  the  day  should  come  that  they  must  be  judged  of 
their  works,  yea,  even  the  works  which  were  done  by  the  tem- 
poral body  in  their  days  of  probation; 

53  Wherefore,  if  they  should  die  in  their  wickedness,  they 
must  be  cast  off  also,  as  to  the  things  which  are  spiritual, 
which  are  pertaining  to  righteousness; 


CHAP.  5.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  47 

54  Wherefore,  they  must  be  brought  to  stand  before  God 
to  be  judged  of  their  works: 

55  And  if  their  works  have  been  filthiness,  they  must  needs 
be  filthy: 

56  And  if  they  be  filthy,  it  must  needs  be  that  they  can  not 
dwell  in  the  kingdom  of  God: 

57  If  so,  the  kingdom  of  God  must  be  filthy  also. 

58  But  behold,  I  say  unto  you,  the  kingdom  of  God  is  not 
filthy,  and  there  can  not  any  unclean  thing  enter  into  the 
kingdom  of  God; 

59  Wherefore,  there  must  needs  be  a  place  of  filthiness  pre- 
pared for  that  which  is  filthy. 

60  And  there  is  a  place  prepared,  yea,  even  that  awful  hell 
of  which  I  have  spoken,  and  the  devil  is  the  foundation  of  it' 

61  Wherefore,  the  final  state  of  the  souls  of  men  is  to  dwell 
in  the  kingdom  of  God,  or  to  be  cast  out  because  of  that  jus 
tice  of  which  I  have  spoken; 

62  Wherefore,  the  wicked  are  rejected  from  the  righteous 
and  also  from  that  tree  of  life,  whose  fruit  is  most  precious 
and  most  desirable  above  all  other  fruits: 

63  Yea,  and  it  is  the  greatest  of  all  the  gifts  of  God. 

64  And  thus  I  spake  unto  my  brethren.     Amen. 


CHAPTER    5. 

1  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  after  I,  Nephi,  had  made 
an  end  of  speaking  to  my  brethren,  behold,  they  said  unto  me 
Thou  hast  declared  unto  us  hard  things,  more  than  we  are 
able  to  bear. 

2  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  said  unto  them,  that  I  knew 
that  I  had  spoken  hard  things  against  the  wicked,  according 
to  the  truth;  and  the  righteous  have  I  justified,  and  testified 
that  they  should  be  lifted  up  at  the  last  day;  wherefore,  the 
guilty  taketh  the  truth  to  be  hard,  for  it  cutteth  them  to  the 
very  center. 

3  And  now,  my  brethren,  if  ye  were  righteous,  and  were 
willing  to  hearken  to  the  truth,  and  give  heed  unto  it,  that  ye 


48  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  5. 

might  walk  uprightly  before  God,  then  ye  would  not  murmur 
because  of  the  truth,  and  say,  Thou  speakest  hard  things 
against  us. 

4  And  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  Nephi,  did  exhort  my  breth- 
ren, with  all  diligence,  to  keep  the  commandments  of  the  Lord. 

5  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  humble  themselves 
before  the  Lord;  insomuch  that  I  had  joy  and  great  hopes  of 
them,  that  they  would  walk  in  the  paths  of  righteousness. 

6  Now,  all  these  things  were  said  and  done,  as  my  father 
dwelt  in  a  tent  in  the  valley  which  he  called  Lemuel. 

7  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  Nephi,  took  one  of  the 
daughters  of  Ishmael  to  wife;  and  also,  my  brethren  took 
of  the  daughters  of  Ishmael  to  wife;  and  also,  Zoram  took 
the  eldest  daughter  of  Ishmael  to  wife. 

8  And  thus  my  father  had  fulfilled  all  the  commandments 
of  the  Lord  which  had  been  given  unto  him. 

9  And  also,  I,  Nephi,  had  been  blessed  of  the  Lord  exceed- 
ingly. 

10  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  voice  of  the  Lord  spake 
unto  my  father,  by  night,  and  commanded  him,  that  on  the 
morrow,  he  should  take  his  journey  into  the  wilderness. 

11  And  it  came  to  pass  that  as  my  father  arose  in  the 
morning,  and  went  forth  to  the  tent  door,  to  his  great  aston- 
ishment, he  beheld  upon  the  ground  a  round  ball,  of  curious 
workmanship;    and  it  was  of  fine  brass. 

12  And  within  the  ball  were  two  spindles;  and  the  one 
pointed  the  way  whither  we  should  go  into  the  wilderness. 

13  ^fAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  gather  together  what- 
soever things  we  should  carry  into  the  wilderness,  and  all  the 
remainder  of  our  provisions  which  the  Lord  had  given  unto 
us; 

14  And  we  did  take  seed  of  every  kind,  that  we  might 
carry  into  the  wilderness. 

15  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  take  our  tents,  and 
depart  into  the  wilderness,  across  the  river  Laman. 

16  And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  traveled  for  the  space  of 
four  days,  nearly  a  south,  south-east  direction,  and  we  did 


CHAP.  5.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  49 

pitch  our  tents  again;    and  we  did  call  the  name  of  the  place 
Shazer. 

17  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  take  our  bows  and  our 
arrows,  and  go  forth  into  the  wilderness,  to  slay  food  for  our 
families;  and  after  we  had  slain  food  for  our  families,  we 
did  return  again  to  our  families  in  the  wilderness,  to  the  place 
of  Shazer. 

18  And  we  did  go  forth  again,  in  the  wilderness,  following 
the  same  direction,  keeping  in  the  most  fertile  parts  of  the 
wilderness,  which  were  in  the  borders  near  the  Red  Sea. 

19  And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  travel  for  the  space  of 
many  days,  slaying  food  by  the  way,  with  our  bows  and  our 
arrows,  and  our  stones  and  our  slings; 

20  And  we  did  follow  the  directions  of  the  ball,  which  led 
us  in  the  more  fertile  parts  of  the  wilderness. 

21  And  after  we  had  traveled  for  the  space  of  many  days, 
we  did  pitch  our  tents  for  the  space  of  a  time,  that  we  might, 
again  rest  ourselves  and  obtain  food  for  our  families. 

22  ^[And  it  came  to  pass  that  as  I,  Nephi,  went  forth  to 
slay  food,  behold,  I  did  break  my  bow,  which  was  made  of 
fine  steel;  and  after  I  did  break  my  bow,  behold,  my  breth- 
ren were  angry  with  me,  because  of  the  loss  of  my  bow,  for 
we  did  obtain  no  food. 

23  And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  return  without  food  to 
our  families. 

24  And  being  much  fatigued  because  of  their  journeying, 
they  did  suffer  much  for  the  want  of  food. 

25  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Laman  and  Lemuel,  and  the 
sons  of  Ishmael,  did  begin  to  murmur  exceedingly,  because 
of  their  sufferings  and  afflictions  in  the  wilderness;  and  also 
my  father  began  to  murmur  against  the  Lord  his  God;  yea, 
and  they  were  all  exceeding  sorrowful,  even  that  they  did 
murmur  against  the  Lord. 

26  ^Now  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  Nephi,  having  been  afflicted 
with  my  brethren,  because  of  the  loss  of  my  bow;  and  their 
bows  having  lost  their  springs,  it  began  to  be  exceeding  diffi- 
cult, yea,  insomuch  that  we  could  obtain  no  food. 


50  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHL  [chap.  5. 

27  And  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  Nephi,  did  speak  much  unto 
my  brethren,  because  they  had  hardened  their  hearts  again, 
even  unto  complaining  against  the  Lord  their  God. 

28  And  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  Nephi,  did  make  out  of 
wood  a  bow,  and  out  of  a  straight  stick,  an  arrow;  where- 
fore, I  did  arm  myself  with  a  bow  and  an  arrow,  with  a  sling, 
and  with  stones. 

29  And  I  said  unto  my  father,  Whither  shall  I  go,  to  obtain 
food? 

30  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  did  inquire  of  the  Lord,  for 
they  had  humbled  themselves  because  of  my  word;  for  I  did 
say  many  things  unto  them  in  the  energy  of  my  soul. 

31  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  voice  of  the  Lord  came 
unto  my  father;  and  he  was  truly  chastened  because  of  his 
murmuring  against  the  Lord,  insomuch  that  he  was  brought 
down  into  the  depths  of  sorrow. 

32  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  voice  of  the  Lord  said  unto 
him.  Look  upon  the  ball,  and  behold  the  things  which  are 
written ! 

33  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  my  father  beheld  the 
things  which  were  written  upon  the  ball,  he  did  fear  and  trem- 
ble exceedingly;  and  also  my  brethren,  and  the  sons  of  Ish- 
mael,  and  our  wives. 

34  TlAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  Nephi,  beheld  the  pointers 
which  were  in  the  ball,  that  they  did  work  according  to  the 
faith,  and  diligence,  and  heed,  which  we  did  give  unto  them. 

35  And  there  was  also  written  upon  them  a  new  writing, 
which  was  plain  to  be  read,  which  did  give  us  understanding 
concerning  the  ways  of  the  Lord;  and  it  was  written  and 
changed  from  time  to  time,  according  to  the  faith  and  dili- 
gence which  we  gave  unto  it. 

36  And  thus  we  see,  that  by  small  means,  the  Lord  can 
bring  about  great  things. 

37  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  Nephi,  did  go  forth  up  into 
the  top  of  the  mountain,  according  to  the  directions  which 
were  given  upon  the  ball. 


CHAF.  5.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  51 

38  And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  did  slay  wild  beasts,  inso- 
much that  I  did  obtain  food  for  our  families. 

39  And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  did  return  to  our  tents,  bear- 
ing the  beasts  which  I  had  slain; 

40  And  now,  when  they  beheld  that  I  had  obtained  food, 
how  great  was  their  joy. 

41  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  humble  themselves 
before  the  Lord,  and  did  give  thanks  unto  him. 

42  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  again  take  our  jour- 
ney, traveling  nearly  the  same  course  as  in  the  beginning; 

43  And  after  we  had  traveled  for  the  space  of  many  days, 
we  did  pitch  our  tents  again,  that  we  might  tarry  for  the 
space  of  a  time. 

44  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  Ishmael  died,  and  was  buried 
in  the  place  which  was  called  Nahom. 

45  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  daughters  of  Ishmael  did 
mourn  exceedingly,  because  of  the  loss  of  their  father,  and 
because  of  their  afflictions  in  the  wilderness; 

46  And  they  did  murmur  against  my  father,  because  he 
had  brought  them  out  of  the  land  of  Jerusalem,  saying,  Our 
father  is  dead;  yea,  and  we  have  wandered  much  in  the  wil- 
derness, and  we  have  suffered  much  affliction,  hunger,  thirst, 
and  fatigue;  and  after  all  these  sufferings,  we  must  perish 
in  the  wilderness  with  hunger. 

47  And  thus  they  did  murmur  against  my  father,  and  also 
against  me;  and  they  were  desirous  to  returti  again  to  Jeru- 
salem. 

48  And  Laman  said  unto  Lemuel,  and  also  unto  the  sons  of 
Ishmael,  Behold,  let  us  slay  our  father,  and  also  our  brother 
Nephi,  who  has  taken  it  upon  him  to  be  our  ruler  and  our 
teacher,  who  are  his  elder  brethren. 

49  Now,  he  says  that  the  Lord  has  talked  with  him,  and 
also  that  angels  have  ministered  unto  him ! 

50  But  behold,  we  know  that  he  lies  unto  us;  and  he  tells 
us  these  things,  and  he  worketh  many  things  by  his  cunning 
arts,  that  he  may  deceive  our  eyes,  thinking,  perhaps,  that  he 
may  lead  us  away  into  some  strange  wilderness ; 


52  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  5. 

51  And  after  he  has  led  us  away,  he  has  thought  to  make 
himself  a  king  and  a  ruler  over  us,  that  he  may  do  with  us 
according  to  his  will  and  pleasure. 

52  And  after  this  manner  did  my  brother  Laman  stir  up 
their  hearts  to  anger. 

53  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  was  with  us;  yea, 
even  the  voice  of  the  Lord  came  and  did  speak  many  words 
unto  them,  and  did  chasten  them  exceedingly; 

54  And  after  they  were  chastened  by  the  voice  of  the  Lord, 
they  did  turn  away  their  anger,  and  did  repent  of  their  sins, 
insomuch  that  the  Lord  did  bless  us  again  with  food,  that  we 
did  not  perish. 

55  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  again  take  our  journey 
in  the  wilderness;  and  we  did  travel  nearly  eastward,  from 
that  time  forth. 

56  And  we  did  travel  and  wade  through  much  affliction  in 
the  wilderness;  and  our  women  did  bear  children  in  the 
wilderness. 

57  And  so  great  were  the  blessings  of  the  Lord  upon  us, 
that  while  we  did  live  upon  raw  meat  in  the  wilderness,  our 
women  did  give  plenty  of  suck  for  their  children,  and  were 
strong,  yea,  even  like  unto  the  men;  and  they  began  to  bear 
their  journeyings  without  murmurings. 

58  And  thus  we  see  that  the  commandments  of  God  must 
be  fulfilled. 

59  And  if  it  so  be  that  the  childien  of  men  keep  the  com- 
mandments of  God,  he  doth  nourish  them,  and  strengthen 
them,  and  provide  means  whereby  they  can  accomplish  the 
thing  which  he  has  commanded  them; 

60  Wherefore,  he  did  provide  means  for  us  while  we  did 
sojourn  in  the  wilderness. 

61  And  we  did  sojourn  for  the  space  of  many  years,  yea, 
even  eight  years  in  the  wilderness. 

62  And  we  did  come  to  the  land  which  we  called  Bountiful, 
because  of  its  much  fruit,  and  also  wild  honey; 

63  And  all  these  things  were  prepared  of  the  Lord,  that  we 
might  not  perish. 


CHAP.  5.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  53 

64  And  we  beheld  the  sea,  which  we  called  Irreantum, 
which  being  interpreted,  is,  many  waters. 

65  TlAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  pitch  our  tents  by  the 
sea-shore; 

66  And  notwithstanding  we  had  suffered  many  afflictions, 
and  much  difficulty,  yea,  even  so  much  that  we  can  not  write 
them  all,  we  were  exceedingly  rejoiced  when  we  came  to  the 
sea-shore; 

67  And  we  called  the  place  Bountiful,  because  of  its  much 
fruit. 

68  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  after  I,  Nephi,  had  been  in 
the  land  of  Bountiful  for  the  space  of  many  days,  the  voice  of 
the  Lord  came  unto  me,  saying.  Arise,  and  get  thee  into  the 
mountain. 

69  And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  arose  and  went  up  into  the 
mountain,  and  cried  unto  the  Lord. 

70  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  spake  unto  me,  say- 
ing. Thou  shalt  construct  a  ship,  after  the  manner  which  I 
shall  shew  thee,  that  I  may  carry  thy  people  across  these 
waters. 

71  And  I  said.  Lord,  whither  shall  I  go,  that  I  may  find 
ore  to  molten,  that  I  may  make  tools  to  construct  the  ship, 
after  the  manner  which  thou  hast  shewn  unto  me? 

72  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  told  me  whither  I 
should  go  to  find  ore,  that  I  might  make  tools. 

73  lIAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  Nephi,  did  make  bellows 
wherewith  to  blow  the  fire,  of  the  skins  of  beasts; 

74  And  after  I  had  made  bellows,  that  I  might  have  where- 
with to  blow  the  fire,  I  did  smite  two  stones  together,  that  I 
might  make  fire; 

75  For  the  Lord  had  not  hitherto  suffered  that  we  should 
make  much  fire,  as  we  journeyed  in  the  wilderness; 

76  For  he  said,  I  will  make  thy  food  become  sweet,  that 
ye  cook  it  not; 

77  And  I  will  also  be  your  light  in  the  wilderness; 

78  And  I  will  prepare  the  way  before  you,  if  it  so  be  that 
ye  shall  keep  my  commandments; 


54  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  5. 

79  Wherefore,  inasmuch  as  ye  shall  keep  my  command- 
ments, ye  shall  be  led  toward  the  promised  land;  and  ye 
shall  know  that  it  is  by  me  that  ye  are  led. 

80  Yea,  and  the  Lord  said  also,  that  after  ye  have  arrived 
to  the  promised  land,  ye  shall  know  that  I,  the  Lord,  am  God; 

81  And  that  I,  the  Lord,  did  deliver  you  from  destruction; 

82  Yea,  that  I  did  bring  you  out  of  the  land  of  Jerusalem. 

83  Wherefore,  I,  Nephi,  did  strive  to  keep  the  command- 
ments of  the  Lord,  and  I  did  exhort  my  brethren  to  faithful- 
ness and  diligence. 

84  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  I  did  make  tools  of  the  ore 
which  I  did  molten  out  of  the  rock. 

85  And  when  my  brethren  saw  that  I  was  about  to  build  a 
ship,  they  began  to  murmur  against  me,  saying, 

86  Our  brother  is  a  fool,  for  he  thinketh  that  he  can  build 
a  ship; 

87  Yea,  and  he  also  thinketh  that  he  can  cross  these  great 
waters. 

88  And  thus  my  brethren  did  complain  against  me,  and 
were  desirous  that  they  might  not  labor,  for  they  did  not 
believe  that  I  could  build  a  ship ; 

89  Neither  would  they  believe  that  I  was  instructed  of  the 
Lord. 

90  TJAnd  now  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  Nephi,  was  exceeding 
sorrowful,  because  of  the  hardness  of  their  hearts; 

91  And  now  when  they  saw  that  I  began  to  be  sorrovv^ful, 
they  were  glad  in  their  hearts,  insomuch  that  they  did  rejoice 
over  me,  saying, 

92  We  knew  that  ye  could  not  construct  a  ship,  for  we 
knew  that  ye  were  lacking  in  judgment;  wherefore,  thou 
canst  not  accomplish  so  great  a  work; 

93  And  thou  art  like  unto  our  father,  led  away  by  the 
foolish  imaginations  of  his  heart; 

94  Yea,  he  hath  led  us  out  of  the  land  of  Jerusalem;  and 
we  have  wandered  in  the  wilderness  for  these  many  years; 

95  And  our  women  have  toiled,  being  big  with  child;    and 


CHAP.  5.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  55 

they  have  borne  children  in  the  wilderness  and  suffered  all 
things,  save  it  were  death; 

96  And  it  would  have  been  better  that  they  had  died,  before 
they  came  out  of  Jerusalem,  than  to  have  suffered  these  afflic- 
tions. 

97  Behold,  these  many  years  we  have  suffered  in  the  wil- 
derness, which  time  we  might  have  enjoyed  our  possessions, 
and  the  land  of  our  inheritance;  yea,  and  we  might  have 
been  happy; 

98  And  we  know  that  the  people  who  were  in  the  land  of 
Jerusalem,  were  a  righteous  people; 

99  For  they  kept  the  statutes  and  the  judgments  of  the 
Lord,  and  all  his  commandments  according  to  the  law  of 
Moses;   wherefore,  we  know  that  they  are  a  righteous  people; 

100  And  our  father  hath  judged  them,  and  hath  led  us 
away  because  we  would  hearken  unto  his  word; 

101  Yea,  and  our  brother  is  like  unto  him. 

102  And  after  this  manner  of  language  did  my  brethren 
murmur  and  complain  against  us. 

103  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  Nephi,  spake  unto  them, 
saying,  Do  ye  believe  that  our  fathers,  who  were  the  children 
of  Israel,  would  have  been  led  away  out  of  the  hands  of  the 
Egyptians,  if  they  had  not  hearkened  unto  the  words  of  the 

Lord?  \y,uA 

104  Yea,  do  ye  suppose  that  they  would  have  been  led^out 
of  bondage,  if  the  Lord  had  not  commanded  Moses  that  he 
should  lead  them  out  of  bondage? 

105  Now  ye  know  that  the  children  of  Israel  were  in  bond- 
age; and  ye  know  that  they  were  laden  with  tasks,  which 
were  grievous  to  be  borne; 

106  Wherefore,  ye  know  that  it  must  needs  be  a  good  thing 
for  them,  that  they  should  be  brought  out  of  bondage. 

107  Now  ye  know  that  Moses  was  commanded  of  the  Lord 
to  do  that  great  work; 

108  And  ye  know  that  by  his  word  the  waters  of  the  Red 
Sea  were  divided  hither  and  thither,  and  they  passed  through 
on  dry  ground. 


56  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHL  [chap.  5. 

109  But  ye  know  that  the  Egjrptians  were  drowned  in  the 
Red  Sea,  who  were  the  armies  of  Pharaoh; 

110  And  ye  also  know  that  they  were  fed  with  manna  in 
the  wilderness; 

111  Yea,  and  ye  also  know  that  Moses,  by  his  word,  accord- 
ing to  the  power  of  God  which  was  in  him,  smote  the  rock, 
and  there  came  forth  v/ater,  that  the  children  of  Israel  might 
quench  their  thirst; 

112  And  notwithstanding  they  being  led,  the  Lord  their 
God,  their  Redeemer,  going  before  them,  leading  them  by  day 
and  giving  light  unto  them  by  night,  and  doing  all  things  for 
them  which  were  expedient  for  man  to  receive,  they  hardened 
their  hearts,  and  blinded  their  minds,  and  reviled  against 
Moses  and  against  the  true  and  living  God. 

113  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  according  to  his  word,  he  did 
destroy  them; 

114  And  according  to  his  word,  he  did  lead  them; 

115  And  according  to  his  word,  he  did  do  all  things  for 
them; 

116  And  there  was  not  anything  done,  save  it  were  by  his 
word. 

117  And  after  they  had  crossed  the  river  Jordan,  he  did 
make  them  mighty,  unto  the  driving  out  the  children  of  the 
land,  yea,  unto  the  scattering  them  to  destruction. 

118  And  now  do  ye  suppose  that  the  children  of  this  land, 
who  were  in  the  land  of  promise,  who  were  driven  out  by  our 
fathers,  do  ye  suppose  that  they  were  righteous?  Behold,  I 
say  unto  you.  Nay. 

119  Do  ye  suppose  that  our  fathers  would  have  been  more 
choice  than  they,  if  they  had  been  righteous? 

120  I  say  unto  you.  Nay; 

121  Behold,  the  Lord  esteemeth  all  flesh  in  one. 

122  He  that  is  righteous,  is  favored  of  God. 

123  But  behold,  this  people  had  rejected  every  word  of  God, 
and  they  were  ripe  in  iniquity;  and  the  fullness  of  the  wrath 
of  God  was  upon  them; 

124  And  the  Lord  did  curse  the  land  against  them,  and 


CHAP.  5.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  57 

bless  it  unto  our  fathers;    yea,  he  did  curse  it  against  them 
unto  their  destruction; 

125  And  he  did  bless  it  unto  our  fathers,  unto  their  obtain- 
ing power  over  it. 

126  Behold,  the  Lord  hath  created  the  earth  that  it  should 
be  inhabited; 

127  And  he  hath  created  his  children,  that  they  should 
possess  it. 

128  And  he  raiseth  up  a  righteous  nation;  and  destroyeth 
the  nations  of  the  wicked. 

129  And  he  leadeth  away  the  righteous  into  precious  lands, 
and  the  wicked  he  destroyeth,  and  curseth  the  land  unto  them 
for  their  sakes. 

130  He  ruleth  high  in  the  heavens,  for  it  is  his  throne,  and 
this  earth  is  his  footstool. 

131  And  he  loveth  those  who  will  have  him  to  be  their  God. 

132  Behold,  he  loved  our  fathers;  and  he  covenanted  with 
them,  yea,  even  Abraham,  Isaac,  and  Jacob:  and  he  remem- 
bered the  covenants  which  he  had  made; 

133  Wherefore,  he  did  bring  them  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt, 
and  he  did  straighten  them  in  the  wilderness  with  his  rod, 
for  they  hardened  their  hearts,  even  as  ye  have;  and  the 
Lord  straightened  them  because  of  their  iniquity. 

134  He  sent  fiery-flying  serpents  among  them;  and  after 
they  were  bitten,  he  prepared  a  way  that  they  might  be 
healed; 

135  And  the  labor  which  they  had  to  perform  was  to  look! 
and  because  of  the  simpleness  of  the  way,  or  the  easiness  of 
it,  there  were  many  who  perished. 

136  And  they  did  harden  their  hearts  from  time  to  time, 
and  they  did  revile  against  Moses,  and  also  against  God; 

137  Nevertheless,  ye  know  that  they  were  led  forth  by  his 
matchless  power  into  the  land  of  promise. 

138  And  now,  after  all  these  things,  the  time  has  come 
that  they  have  become  wicked,  yea,  nearly  unto  ripeness; 

139  And  I  know  not  but  they  are  at  this  day  about  to  be 
destroyed ; 


58  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  5. 

140  For  I  know  that  the  day  must  surely  come  that  they 
must  be  destroyed,  save  a  few  only  who  shall  be  led  away 
into  captivity; 

141  Wherefore,  the  Lord  commanded  my  father  that  he 
should  depart  into  the  wilderness; 

142  And  the  Jews  also  sought  to  take  away  his  life;  yea, 
and  ye  also  have  sought  to  take  away  his  life; 

143  Wherefore,  ye  are  murderers  in  your  hearts,  and  ye 
are  like  unto  them. 

144  Ye  are  swift  to  do  iniquity,  but  slow  to  remember  the 
Lord  your  God. 

145  Ye  have  seen  an  angel,  and  he  spake  unto  you;  yea, 
ye  have  heard  his  voice  from  time  to  time; 

146  And  he  hath  spoken  unto  you  in  a  still,  small  voice, 
but  ye  were  past  feeling,  that  ye  could  not  feel  his  words; 

147  Wherefore,  he  has  spoken  unto  you  like  unto  the  voice 
of  thunder,  which  did  cause  the  earth  to  shake  as  if  it  were 
to  divide  asunder. 

148  And  ye  also  know  that  by  the  power  of  his  almighty 
word  he  can  cause  the  earth  that  it  shall  pass  away; 

149  Yea,  and  ye  know  that  by  his  word  he  can  cause  the 
rough  places  to  be  made  smooth,  and  smooth  places  shall  be 
broken  up. 

150  O,  then,  why  is  it  that  ye  can  be  so  hard  in  your 
hearts? 

151  Behold,  my  soul  is  rent  with  anguish  because  of  you, 
and  my  heart  is  pained:  I  fear  lest  ye  shall  be  cast  off  for 
ever. 

152  Behold,  I  am  full  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  insomuch  that 
my  frame  has  no  strength. 

153  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  I  had  spoken 
these  words,  they  were  angry  with  me,  and  were  desirous  to 
throw  me  into  the  depths  of  the  sea; 

154  And  as  they  came  forth  to  lay  their  hands  upon  me, 
I  spake  unto  them,  saying,  Li  the  name  of  the  Almighty  God, 
I  command  you  that  ye  touch  me  not,  for  I  am  filled  with  the 
power  of  God,  even  unto  the  consuming  of  my  flesh; 


CHAF.  5.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  59 

155  And  whoso  shall  lay  their  hands  upon  me,  shall  wither 
even  as  a  dried  reed;  and  he  shall  be  as  nought  before  the 
power  of  God,  for  God  shall  smite  him. 

156  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  Nephi,  said  unto  them, 
that  they  should  murmur  no  more  against  their  father, 
neither  should  they  withhold  their  labor  from  me,  for  God 
had  commanded  me  that  I  should  build  a  ship. 

157  And  I  said  unto  them,  If  God  had  commanded  me  to  do 
all  things,  I  could  do  them. 

158  If  he  should  command  me  that  I  should  say  unto  this 
water,  Be  thou  earth,  it  should  be  earth;  and  if  I  should  say 
it,  it  would  be  done. 

159  And  now,  if  the  Lord  has  such  great  power,  and  has 
wrought  so  many  miracles  among  the  children  of  men,  how 
is  it  that  he  can  not  instruct  me  that  I  should  build  a  ship? 

160  TIAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  Nephi,  said  many  things 
unto  my  brethren,  insomuch  that  they  were  confounded,  and 
could  not  contend  against  me; 

161  Neither  durst  they  lay  their  hands  upon  me,  nor  touch 
me  with  their  fingers,  even  for  the  space  of  many  days. 

162  Now  they  durst  not  do  this,  lest  they  should  wither 
before  me,  so  powerful  was  the  Spirit  of  God;  and  thus  it 
had  wrought  upon  them. 

163  TIAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  said  unto  me, 
Stretch  forth  thine  hand  again  unto  thy  brethren,  and  they 
shall  not  wither  before  thee,  but  I  will  shock  them,  saith  the 
Lord;  and  this  will  I  do  that  they  may  know  that  I  am  the 
Lord  their  God. 

164  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  stretched  forth  my  hand 
unto  my  brethren,  and  they  did  not  wither  before  me;  but 
the  Lord  did  shake  them,  even  according  to  the  word  which 
he  had  spoken. 

165  And  now  they  said,  We  know  of  a  surety  that  the  Lord 
is  with  thee,  for  we  know  that  it'  is  the  power  of  the  Lord 
that  has  shaken  us. 

166  And   they   fell   down   before   me,   and   were   about   to 


60  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  5. 

worship  me,  but  I  would  not  suffer  them,  saying,  I  am  thy 
brother,  yea,  even  thy  younger  brother; 

167  Wherefore  worship  the  Lord  thy  God,  and  honor  thy 
father  and  thy  mother,  that  thy  days  may  be  long  in  the 
land  which  the  Lord  thy  God  shall  give  thee. 

168  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  worship  the  Lord, 
and  did  go  forth  with  me;  and  we  did  work  timbers  of  curi- 
ous workmanship. 

169  And  the  Lord  did  shew  me  from  time  to  time  after 
what  manner  I  should  work  the  timbers  of  the  ship. 

170  Now  I,  Nephi,  did  not  work  the  timbers  after  the  man- 
ner which  was  learned  by  men,  neither  did  I  build  the  ship 
after  the  manner  of  men; 

171  But  I  did  build  it  after  the  manner  which  the  Lord 
had  shewn  unto  me;  wherefore,  it  was  not  after  the  manner 
of  men. 

172  TJAnd  I,  Nephi,  did  go  into  the  mount  oft,  and  I  did 
pray  oft  unto  the  Lord;  wherefore,  the  Lord  shewed  unto  me 
great  things. 

173  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  after  I  had  finished  the  ship 
according  to  the  word  of  the  Lord,  my  brethren  beheld  that 
it  was  good,  and  that  the  workmanship  thereof  was  exceeding 
fine; 

174  Wherefore,  they  did  humble  themselves  again  before 
the  Lord. 

175  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  voice  of  the  Lord  came 
unto  my  father,  that  we 'should  arise  and  go  down  into  the 
ship. 

176  And  it  came  to  pass  that  on  the  morrow,  after  we  had 
prepared  all  things,  much  fruits  and  meat  from  the  wilder- 
ness, and  honey  in  abundance,  and  provisions,  according  to 
that  which  the  Lord  had  commanded  us, 

177  We  did  go  down  into  the  ship  with  all  our  loading  and 
our  seeds,  and  whatsoever  thing  we  had  brought  with  us, 
every  one  according  to  his  age; 

178  Wherefore,  we  did  all  go  down  into  the  ship,  with  our 
wives  and  our  children. 


CHAP.  ,5.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  61 

179  ^And  now,  my  father  had  begat  two  sons  in  the  wilder- 
ness; the  eldest  was  called  Jacob,  and  the  younger,  Joseph. 

180  And  it  came  to  pass  after  we  had  all  gone  down  into 
the  ship,  and  had  taken  with  us  our  provisions  and  things 
which  had  been  commanded  us, 

181  We  did  put  forth  into  the  sea,  and  were  driven  forth 
before  the  wind,  towards  the  promised  land; 

182  And  after  we  had  been  driven  forth  before  the  wind  for 
the  space  of  many  days,  behold,  my  brethren,  and  the  sons 
of  Ishmael,  and  also  their  wives,  began  to  make  themselves 
merry,  insomuch  that  they  began  to  dance,  and  to  sing,  and 
to  speak  with  much  rudeness, 

183  Yea,  even  that  they  did  forget  by  what  power  they 
had  been  brought  thither; 

184  Yea,  they  were  lifted  up  unto  exceeding  rudeness. 

185  And  I,  Nephi,  began  to  fear  exceedingly,  lest  the  Lord 
should  be  angry  with  us,  and  smite  us,  because  of  our  iniq- 
uity, that  we  should  be  swallowed  up  in  the  depths  of  the  sea; 

186  Wherefore,  I,  Nephi,  began  to  speak  to  them  with  much 
soberness ; 

187  But  behold,  they  were  angry  with  me,  saying.  We  will 
not  that  our  younger  brother  shall  be  a  ruler  over  us. 

188  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Laman  and  Lemuel  did  take 
me  and  bind  me  with  cords,  and  they  did  treat  me  with  much 
harshness ; 

189  Nevertheless,  the  Lord  did  suffer  it,  that  he  might 
shew  forth  his  power,  unto  the  fulfilling  of  his  word  which 
he  had  spoken  concerning  the  wicked. 

190  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  after  they  had  bound  me, 
insomuch  that  I  could  not  move,  the  compass,  which  had  beer, 
prepared  of  the  Lord,  did  cease  to  work; 

191  Wherefore,  they  knew  not  whither  they  should  steer 
the  ship,  insomuch,  that  there  arose  a  great  storm,  yea,  a 
great  and  terrible  tempest; 

192  And  we  were  driven  back  upon  the  waters  for  the  space 
of  three  days; 


62  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  5. 

193  And  they  began  to  be  frightened  exceedingly,  lest  they 
should  be  drowned  in  the  sea; 

194  Nevertheless,  they  did  not  loose  me. 

195  And  on  the  fourth  day  which  we  had  been  driven  back, 
the  tempest  began  to  be  exceeding  sore. 

196  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  were  about  to  be  swal- 
lowed up  in  the  depths  of  the  sea. 

197  And  after  we  had  been  driven  back  upon  the  waters 
for  the  space  of  four  days,  my  brethren  began  to  see  that  the 
judgments  of  God  were  upon  them,  and  that  they  must  perish, 
save  that  they  should  repent  of  their  iniquities; 

198  Wherefore,  they  came  unto  me  and  loosed  the  bands 
which  were  upon  my  wrists,  and  behold,  they  had  swollen  ex- 
ceedingly; and  also  mine  ankles  were  much  swollen,  and  great 
was  the  soreness  thereof. 

199  Nevertheless,  I  did  look  unto  my  God,  and  I  did  praise 
him  all  the  day  long;  and  I  did  not  murmur  against  the  Lord 
because  of  mine  afflictions. 

200  ^Now,  my  father  Lehi,  had  said  many  things  unto 
them,  and  also  unto  the  sons  of  Ishmael;  but  behold,  they  did 
breathe  out  much  threatenings  against  any  one  that  should 
speak  for  me; 

201  And  my  parents  being  stricken  in  years,  and  having 
suffered  much  grief  because  of  their  children,  they  were 
brought  down,  yea,  even  upon  their  sick  beds. 

202  Because  of  their  grief,  and  much  sorrow,  and  the  in- 
iquity of  my  brethren,  they  were  brought  near  even  to  be 
carried  out  of  this  time,  to  meet  their  God; 

203  Yea,  their  grey  hairs  were  about  to  be  brought  down 
to  lie  low  in  the  dust; 

204  Yea,  even  they  were  near  to  be  cast,  with  sorrow,  into 
a  watery  grave. 

205  And  Jacob  and  Joseph  also,  being  young,  having  need 
of  much  nourishment,  were  grieved  because  of  the  afflictions 
of  their  mother; 

206  And  also  my  wife,  with  her  tears  and  prayers,  and 


CHAP.  5.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHL  63 

also  my  children,  did  not  soften  the  hearts  of  my  brethren, 
that  they  would  loose  me; 

207  And  there  was  nothing,  save  it  were  the  power  of  God, 
which  threatened  them  with  destruction,  could  soften  their 
hearts; 

208  Wherefore,  when  they  saw  that  they  were  about  to  be 
swallowed  up  in  the  depths  of  the  sea,  they  repented  of  the 
thing  which  they  had  done,  insomuch  that  they  loosed  me. 

209  ^And  it  came  to  pass  after  they  had  loosed  me,  behold, 
I  took  the  compass,  and  it  did  work  whither  I  desired  it. 

210  And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  prayed  unto  the  Lord;  and 
after  I  had  prayed,  the  winds  did  cease,  and  the  storm  did 
cease,  and  there  was  a  great  calm. 

211  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  Nephi,  did  guide  the  ship, 
that  we  sailed  again  towards  the  promised  land. 

212  And  it  came  to  pass  that  after  we  had  sailed  for  the 
space  of  many  days,  we  did  arrive  to  the  promised  land; 

213  And  we  went  forth  upon  the  land,  and  did  pitch  our 
tents;  and  we  did  call  it  the  promised  land. 

214  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  begin  to  till  the  earth, 
and  we  began  to  plant  seeds;  yea,  we  did  put  all  our  seeds 
into  the  earth,  which  we  had  brought  from  the  land  of  Jeru- 
salem. 

215  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  grow  exceedingly; 
wherefore,  we  were  blessed  in  abundance. 

216  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  find  upon  the  land  of 
promise,  as  we  journeyed  in  the  wilderness,  that  there  were 
beasts  in  the  forests  of  every  kind,  both  the  cow,  and  the  ox, 
and  the  ass,  and  the  horse,  and  the  goat,  and  the  wild  goat, 
and  all  manner  of  wild  animals,  which  were  for  the  use  of 
men. 

217  And  we  did  find  all  manner  of  ore,  both  of  gold,  and  of 
silver,  and  of  copper. 

218  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  commanded  me, 
wherefore  I  did  make  plates  of  ore,  that  I  might  engraven 
upon  them  the  record  of  my  people. 

219  And  upon  the  plates  which  I  made,  I  did  engraven  the 


64  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  5. 

record  of  my  father,  and  also  our  journeyings  in  the  wilder- 
ness, and  the  prophecies  of  my  father;  and  also  many  of 
mine  own  prophecies  have  I  engraven  upon  them. 

220  And  I  knew  not  at  the  time  when  I  made  them,  that  I 
should  be  commanded  of  the  Lord  to  make  these  plates; 

221  Wherefore,  the  record  of  my  father,  and  the  genealogy 
of  his  forefathers,  and  the  more  part  of  all  our  proceedings  in 
the  wilderness,  are  engraven  upon  those  plates  of  which  I 
have  spoken; 

222  Wherefore,  the  things  which  transpired  before  I  made 
these  plates,  are,  of  a  truth,  more  particularly  made  mention 
upon  the  first  plates. 

223  ^And  after  I  had  made  these  plates  by  way  of  com- 
mandment, I,  Nephi,  received  a  commandment,  that  the  min- 
istry, and  the  prophecies,  the  more  plain  and  precious  parts 
of  them  should  be  written  upon  these  plates; 

224  And  that  the  things  which  were  written,  should  be 
kept  for  the  instruction  of  my  people,  who  should  possess  the 
land,  and  also  for  other  wise  purposes,  which  purposes  are 
known  unto  the  Lord; 

225  Wherefore  I,  Nephi,  did  make  a  record  upon  the  other 
plates,  which  gives  an  account,  or  which  gives  a  greater  ac- 
count of  the  wars  and  contentions  and  destructions  of  my 
people. 

226  And  this  have  I  done,  and  commanded  my  people  what 
they  should  do,  after  I  was  gone,  and  that  these  plates  should 
be  handed  down  from  one  generation  to  another,  or  from  one 
prophet  to  another,  until  further  commandments  of  the  Lord. 

227  And  an  account  of  my  making  these  plates  shall  be 
given  hereafter; 

228  And  then,  behold,  I  proceed  according  to  that  which  I 
have  spoken;  and  this  I  do,  that  the  more  sacred  things  may 
be  kept  for  the  knowledge  of  my  people. 

229  Nevertheless,  I  do  not  write  anything  upon  plates,  save 
it  be  that  I  think  it  be  sacred. 

230  And  now,  if  I  do  err,  even  did  they  err  of  old. 

231  Not  that  I  would  excuse  myself  because  of  other  men. 


CHAP.  5.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  65 

but  because  of  the  weakness  which  is  in  me,  accordinj^:  to  the 
flesh,  I  would  excuse  myself. 

232  For  the  things  which  some  men  esteem  to  be  of  great 
worth,  both  to  the  body  and  soul,  others  set  at  nought,  and 
trample  under  their  feet. 

233  Yea,  even  the  very  God  of  Israel,  do  men  trample 
under  their  feet; 

234  I  say,  trample  under  their  feet;  but  I  would  speak  in 
other  words: 

235  They  set  him  at  nought,  and  hearken  not  to  the  voice 
of  his  counsels; 

236  And  behold,  he  cometh  according  to  the  words  of  the 
angel,  in  six  hundred  years  from  the  time  my  father  left 
Jerusalem. 

237  And  the  world,  because  of  their  iniquity,  shall  judge 
him  to  be  a  thing  of  nought;  wherefore,  they  scourge  him, 
and  he  suffereth  it;  and  they  smite  him,  and  he  suffereth  it. 

238  Yea,  they  spit  upon  him,  and  he  suffereth  it,  because 
of  his  loving  kindness  and  his  long-suffering  towards  the 
children  of  men. 

239  And  the  God  of  our  fathers,  who  were  led  out  of 
Egypt,  out  of  bondage,  and  also  were  preserved  in  the  wilder- 
ness by  him; 

240  Yea,  the  God  of  Abraham,  and  of  Isaac,  and  the  God 
of  Jacob,  yieldeth  himself  according  to  the  words  of  the  angel, 
as  a  man,  into  the  hands  of  wicked  men,  to  be  lifted  up  ac- 
cording to  the  words  of  Zenock, 

241  And  to  be  crucified,  according  to  the  words  of  Neum, 

242  And  to  be  buried  in  a  sepulcher,  according  to  the 
words  of  Zenos,  which  he  spake  concerning  the  three  days  of 
darkness, 

243  Which  should  be  a  sign  given  of  his  death,  unto  those 
who  should  inhabit  the  isles  of  the  sea; 

244  More  especially  given  unto  those  who  are  of  the  house 
of  Israel. 

245  For  thus  spake  the  prophet.  The  Lord  God  surely  shall 
visit  all  the  house  of  Israel  at  that  day; 


66  P^IRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  5. 

246  Some  with  his  voice,  because  of  their  righteousness, 
unto  their  great  joy  and  salvation; 

247  And  others  with  the  thunderings  and  the  lightnings  of 
his  power,  by  tempest,  by  fire,  and  by  smoke,  and  vapor  of 
darkness,  and  by  the  opening  of  the  earth,  and  by  mountains 
which  shall  be  carried  up; 

248  And  all  these  things  must  surely  come,  saith  the 
prophet  Zenos. 

249  And  the  rocks  of  the  earth  must  rend; 

250  And  because  of  the  groanings  of  the  earth,  many  of 
the  kings  of  the  isles  of  the  sea  shall  be  wrought  upon  by  the 
Spirit  of  God,  to  exclaim.  The  God  of  nature  suffers. 

251  And  as  for  those  who  are  at  Jerusalem,  saith  the 
prophet,  shall  be  scourged  by  all  people,  because  they  crucify 
the  God  of  Israel,  and  turn  their  hearts  aside,  rejecting  signs 
and  wonders,  and  power  and  glory  of  the  God  of  Israel; 

252  And  because  they  turn  their  hearts  aside,  saith  the 
prophet,  and  have  despised  the  Holy  One  of  Israel,  they  shall 
wander  in  the  flesh,  and  perish,  and  become  a  hiss  and  a  by- 
word, and  be  hated  among  all  nations; 

253  Nevertheless,  when  that  day  cometh,  saith  the  prophet, 
that  they  no  more  turn  aside  their  hearts  against  the  Holy 
One  of  Israel,  then  will  he  remember  the  covenants  which  he 
made  to  their  fathers; 

254  Yea,  then  will  he  remember  the  isles  of  the  sea; 

255  Yea,  and  all  the  people  who  are  of  the  house  of  Israel, 
will  I  gather  in,  saith  the  Lord,  according  to  the  words  of  the 
prophet  Zenos,  from  the  four  quarters  of  the  earth; 

256  Yea,  and  all  the  earth  shall  see  the  salvation  of  the 
Lord,  saith  the  prophet; 

257  Every  nation,  kindred,  tongue  and  people,  shall  be 
blessed. 

258  ^And  I,  Nephi,  have  written  these  things  unto  my  peo- 
ple, that  perhaps  I  might  persuade  them  that  they  would 
remember  the  Lord  their   Redeemer; 

259  Wherefore,  I  speak  unto  all  the  house  of  Israel,  if  it 
so  be  that  they  should  obtain  these  things. 


CHAP.  6.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  67 

260  For  behold,  I  have  workings  in  the  spirit,  which  doth 
weary  me,  even  that  all  my  joints  are  weak,  for  those  who 
are  at  Jerusalem; 

261  For  had  not  the  Lord  been  merciful,  to  shew  unto  me 
concerning  them,  even  as  he  had  prophets  of  old,  I  should 
have  perished  also; 

262  And  he  surely  did  shew  unto  the  prophets  of  old,  all 
things  concerning  them; 

263  And  also  he  did  shew  unto  many  concerning  us; 

264  Wherefore,  it  must  needs  be,  that  we  know  concerning 
them,  for  they  are  written  upon  the  plates  of  brass. 


CHAPTER    6. 

1  ^Now  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  Nephi,  did  teach  my  breth- 
ren these  things. 

2  And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  did  read  many  things  to 
them,  which  were  engraven  upon  the  plates  of  brass,  that 
they  might  know  concerning  the  doings  of  the  Lord  in  other 
lands,  among  people  of  old. 

3  And  I  did  read  many  things  unto  them,  which  were 
written  in  the  book  of  Moses; 

4  But  that  I  might  more  fully  persuade  them  to  believe  in 
the  Lord  their  Redeemer,  I  did  read  unto  them  that  which 
was  written  by  the  prophet  Isaiah; 

5  For  I  did  liken  all  scriptures  unto  us  that  it  might  be 
for  our  profit  and  learning. 

6  Wherefore,  I  spake  unto  them,  saying.  Hear  ye  the  words 
of  the  prophet,  ye  who  are  a  remnant  of  the  house  of  Israel, 
a  branch  who  have  been  broken  off;  hear  ye  the  words  of  the 
prophet,  which  were  written  unto  all  the  house  of  Israel,  and 
liken  them  unto  yourselves,  that  ye  may  have  hope  as  well  as 
your  brethren,  from  whom  ye  have  been  broken  off. 

7  For  after  this  manner  has  the  prophet  written: 

8  'Hearken  and  hear  this,  O  house  of  Jacob,  who  are  called 

^Isaiah    48. 


68  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHl.  [chap.  6. 

by  the  name  of  Israel,  and  are  come  forth  out  of  the  waters 
of  Judah,  who  swear  by  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and  make 
mention  of  the  God  of  Israel;  yet  they  swear  not  in  truth,  nor 
in  rightfeousness. 

9  Nevertheless,  they  call  themselves  of  the  Holy  city,  but 
they  do  not  stay  themselves  upon  the  God  of  Israel,  who  is 
the  Lord  of  hosts;  yea,  the  Lord  of  hosts  is  his  name. 

10  Behold,  I  have  declared  the  former  things  from  the  be- 
ginning; and  they  went  forth  out  of  my  mouth,  and  I  shewed 
them;  I  did  shew  them  suddenly. 

11  And  I  did  it  because  I  knew  that  thou  art  obstinate,  and 
thy  neck  was  an  iron  sinew,  and  thy  brow  brass; 

12  And  I  have,  even  from  the  beginning,  declared  to  thee; 
before  it  came  to  pass  I  shewed  them  thee ;  and  I  shewed  them 
for  fear  lest  thou  shouldst  say,  Mine  idol  hath  done  them, 
and  my  graven  image,  and  my  molten  image  hath  commanded 
them. 

13  Thou  hast  seen  and  heard  all  this;  and  will  ye  not  de- 
clare them?  And  that  I  have  shewed  thee  new  things  from 
this  time,  even  hidden  things,  and  thou  didst  not  know  them. 

14  They  are  created  now,  and  not  from  the  beginning; 
even  before  the  day  when  thou  heardest  them  not,  they  were 
declared  unto  thee,  lest  thou  shouldst  say,  Behold,  I  knew 
them. 

15  Yea,  and  thou  heardest  not;  yea,  thou  knewest  not;  yea, 
from  that  time  thine  ear  was  not  opened;  for  I  knew  that 
thou  wouldst  deal  very  treacherously,  and  wast  called  a  trans- 
gressor from  the  womb. 

16  TJNevertheless,  for  my  name's  sake  will  I  defer  mine 
anger,  and  for  my  praise  will  I  refrain  from  thee,  that  I  cut 
thee  not  off. 

17  For,  behold,  I  have  refined  thee;  I  have  chosen  thee  in 
the  furnace  of  affliction. 

18  For  mine  own  sake,  yea,  for  mine  own  sake,  will  I  do 
this;  for  I  will  not  suffer  my  name  to  be  polluted,  and  I  will 
not  give  my  glory  unto  another. 


CHAP.  6.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  69 

19  IJHearken  unto  me,  O  Jacob,  and  Israel,  my  called;  for 
I  am  he;  I  am  the  first,  and  I  am  also  the  last. 

20  Mine  hand  hath  also  laid  the  foundation  of  the  earth, 
and  my  right  hand  hath  spanned  the  heavens;  I  call  unto 
them,  and  they  stand  up  together. 

21  All  ye,  assemble  yourselves,  and  hear;  who  among  them 
hath  declared  these  things  unto  them?  The  Lord  hath  loved 
him;  yea,  and  he  will  fulfill  his  word  which  he  hath  declared 
by  them;  and  he  will  do  his  pleasure  on  Babylon,  and  his  arm 
shall  come  upon  the  Chaldeans. 

22  Also,  saith  the  Lord:  I  the  Lord,  yea,  I  have  spoken; 
yea,  I  have  called  him,  to  declare,  I  have  brought  him,  and 
he  shall  make  his  way  prosperous. 

23  ^Come  ye  near  unto  me:  I  have  not  spoken  in  secret 
from  the  beginning;  from  the  time  that  it  was  declared,  have 
I  spoken;  and  the  Lord  God,  and  his  Spirit  hath  sent  me. 

24  And  thus  saith  the  Lord,  thy  Redeemer,  the  Holy  One 
of  Israel:  I  have  sent  him,  the  Lord  thy  God  who  teacheth 
thee  to  profit,  who  leadeth  thee  by  the  way  thou  shouldst  go, 
has  done  it. 

25  0  that  thou  hadst  hearkened  to  my  commandment!  then 
had  thy  peace  been  as  a  river,  and  thy  righteousness  as  the 
waves  of  the   sea; 

26  Thy  seed  also  had  been  as  the  sand;  the  offspring  of 
thy  bowels  like  the  gravel  thereof:  his  name  should  not  have 
been  cut  off  nor  destroyed  from  before  me. 

27  TJGo  ye  forth  of  Babylon,  flee  ye  from  the  Chaldeans, 
with  a  voice  of  singing  declare  ye,  tell  this,  utter  to  the  end 
of  the  earth;  say  ye,  The  Lord  hath  redeemed  his  servant 
Jacob. 

28  And  they  thirsted  not;  he  led  them  through  the  deserts: 
he  caused  the  waters  to  flow  out  of  the  rock  for  them:  he 
clave  the  rock  also,  and  the  waters  gushed  out. 

29  And  notwithstanding  he  hath  done  all  this,  and  greater 
also,  there  is  no  peace,  saith  the  Lord,  unto  the  wicked. 

80  ^And  again:  Hearken,  0  ye  house  of  Israel,  all  ye 
that  are  broken  off  and  are  driven  out,  because  of  the  wicked- 


701  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  6. 

ness  of  the  pastors  of  my  people;  yea,  all  ye  that  are  broken 
off,  that  are  scattered  abroad,  who  are  of  my  people,  O  house 
of  Israel. 

31  'Listen  O  isles  unto  me;  and  hearken,  ye  people,  from 
far;  the  Lord  hath  called  me  from  the  womb;  from  the 
bowels  of  my  mother  hath  he  made  mention  of  my  name. 

32  And  he  hath  made  my  mouth  like  a  sharp  sword;  in  the 
shadow  of  his  hand  hath  he  hid  me,  and  made  me  a  polished 
shaft:  in  his  quiver  hath  he  hid  me, 

33  And  said  unto  me,  Thou  art  my  servant,  O  Israel,  in 
whom  I  will  be  glorified. 

34  Then  I  said,  I  have  labored  in  vain,  I  have  spent  my 
strength  for  nought,  and  in  vain;  surely,  my  judgment  is 
with  the  Lord,  and  my  work  with  my  God. 

35  II And  now,  saith  the  Lord,  that  formed  me  from  the 
womb  that  I  should  be  his  servant,  to  bring  Jacob  again  to 
him:  Though  Israel  be  not  gathered,  yet  shall  I  be  glorious  in 
the  eyes  of  the  Lord,  and  my  God  shall  be  my  strength. 

36  And  he  said.  It  is  a  light  thing  that  thou  shouldst  be 
my  servant  to  raise  up  the  tribes  of  Jacob,  and  to  restore  the 
preserved  of  Israel.  I  will  also  give  thee  for  a  light  to  the 
Gentiles,  that  thou  mayest  be  my  salvation  unto  the  ends  of 
the  earth. 

37  Thus  saith  the  Lord,  the  Redeemer  of  Israel,  his  Holy 
One,  to  him  whom  man  despiseth,  to  him  whom  the  nations 
abhorreth,  to  servant  of  rulers,  kings  shall  see  and  arise, 
princes  also  shall  worship,  because  of  the  Lord  that  is  faith- 
ful. 

38  Thus  saith  the  Lord,  In  an  acceptable  time  have  I  heard 
thee,  O  isles  of  the  sea,  and  in  a  day  of  salvation  have  I 
helped  thee:  and  I  will  preserve  thee,  and  give  thee  my  serv- 
ant for  a  covenant  of  the  people,  to  establish  the  earth,  to 
cause  to  inherit  the  desolate  heritages ; 

39  That  thou  mayest  say  to  the  prisoners,   Go  forth;  to 

^Isaiah    49. 


CHAP.  6.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  71 

them  that  sit  in  darkness,  Shew  yourselves.     They  shall  feed 
in  the  ways,  and  their  pastures  shall  be  in  all  high  places. 

40  They  shall  not  hunger  nor  thirst,  neither  shall  the  heat 
nor  the  sun  smite  them ;  for  he  that  hath  mercy  on  them  shall 
lead  them,  even  by  the  springs  of  water  shall  he  guide  them. 

41  And  I  will  make  all  my  mountains  a  way,  and  my  high- 
ways shall  be  exalted. 

42  And  then,  0  house  of  Israel,  behold,  these  shall  come 
from  far;  and  lo,  these  from  the  north  and  from  the  west; 
and  these  from  the  land  of  Sinim. 

43  ^Sing,  O  heavens;  and  be  joyful,  O  earth;  for  the  feet 
of  those  who  are  in  the  east  shall  be  established;  and  break 
forth  into  singing,  O  mountains;  for  they  shall  be  smitten  no 
more:  for  the  Lord  hath  comforted  his  people,  and  will  have 
mercy   upon   his   afflicted. 

44  But  behold,  Zion  hath  said.  The  Lord  hath  forsaken  me, 
and  my  Lord  hath  forgotten  me;  but  he  will  shew  that  he 
hath  not. 

45  For  can  a  woman  forget  her  sucking  child,  that  she 
should  not  have  compassion  on  the  son  of  her  womb?  Yea, 
they  may  forget,  yet  will  I  not  forget  thee,  O  house  of  Israel. 

46  Behold,  I  have  graven  thee  upon  the  palms  of  my  hands; 
thy  walls  are  continually  before  me. 

47  Thy  children  shall  make  haste  against  thy  destroyers; 
and  they  that  made  thee  waste  shall  go  forth  of  thee. 

48  ^Lift  up  thine  eyes  round  about,  and  behold:  all  these 
gather  themselves  together,  and  they  shall  come  to  thee.  And 
as  I  live,  saith  the  Lord,  thou  shalt  surely  clothe  thee  with 
them  all,  as  with  an  ornament,  and  bind  them  on  even  as  a 
bride. 

49  For  thy  waste  and  thy  desolate  places,  and  the  land  of 
thy  destruction,  shall  even  now  be  too  narrow  by  reason  of 
the  inhabitants;  and  they  that  swallowed  thee  up,  shall  be 
far  away. 

50  The  children  whom  thou  shalt  have,  after  thou  hast  lost 
the  first,  shall  again  in  thine  ears  say.  The  place  is  too 
straight  for  me:  give  place  to  me  that  I  may  dwell. 


72  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  7. 

51  Then  shalt  thou  say  in  thine  heart,  Who  hath  begotten 
me  these,  seeing  I  have  lost  my  children,  and  am  desolate,  a 
captive,  and  removing  to  and  fro?  and  who  hath  brought  up 
these?  Behold,  I  was  left  alone;  these,  where  have  they  been? 

52  Thus  saith  the  Lord  God,  Behold,  I  will  lift  up  mine 
hand  to  the  Gentiles,  and  set  up  my  standard  to  the  people; 
and  they  shall  bring  thy  sons  in  their  arms,  and  thy  daughters 
shall  be  carried  upon  their  shoulders. 

53  And  kings  shall  be  thy  nursing  fathers,  and  their 
queens  thy  nursing  mothers:  they  shall  bow  down  to  thee 
with  their  face  towards  the  earth,  and  lick  up  the  dust  of 
thy  feet;  and  thou  shalt  know  that  I  am  the  Lord:  for  they 
shall  not  be  ashamed  that  wait  for  me. 

54  For  shall  the  prey  be  taken  from  the  mighty,  or  the 
lawful  captives  delivered? 

55  But  thus  saith  the  Lord,  Even  the  captives  of  the 
mighty  shall  be  taken  away,  and  the  prey  of  the  terrible  shall 
be  delivered:  for  I  will  contend  with  him  that  contendeth 
with  thee,  and  I  will  save  thy  children. 

56  And  I  will  feed  them  that  oppress  thee  with  their  own 
flesh:  they  shall  be  drunken  with  their  own  blood,  as  with 
sweet  wine:  and  all  flesh  shall  know  that  I  the  Lord  am  thy 
Savior  and  thy  Redeemer,  the  mighty  one  of  Jacob. 


CHAPTER    7. 

1  IJAnd  now  it  came  to  pass  that  after  I,  Nephi,  had  read 
these  things  which  were  engraven  upon  the  plates  of  brass, 
my  brethren  came  unto  me  and  said  unto  me.  What  meaneth 
these  things  which  ye  have  read? 

2  Behold,  are  they  to  be  understood  according  to  the  things 
which  are  spiritual,  which  shall  come  to  pass  according  to 
the  spirit  and  not  the  flesh? 

3  And  I,  Nephi,  said  unto  them.  Behold,  they  were  made 
manifest  unto  the  prophet,  by  the  voice  of  the  Spirit: 

4  For  by  the  Spirit  are  all  things  made  known  unto  the 


CHAP.  7.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  73 

prophets,  which  shall  come  upon  the  children  of  men  accord- 
ing to  the  flesh. 

5  Wherefore,  the  things  of  which  I  have  read,  are  things 
pertaining  to  things  both  temporal  and  spiritual: 

6  For  it  appears  that  the  house  of  Israel,  sooner  or  later, 
will  be  scattered  upon  all  the  face  of  the  earth,  and  also 
among  all  nations, 

7  And  behold  there  are  many  who  are  already  lost  from 
the  knowledge  of  those  who  are  at  Jerusalem. 

8  Yea,  the  more  part  of  all  the  tribes  have  been  led  away; 

9  And  they  are  scattered  to  and  fro  upon  the  isles  of  the 
sea; 

10  And  whither  they  are,  none  of  us  knoweth,  save  that  we 
know  that  they  have  been  led  away. 

11  And  since  they  have  been  led  away,  these  things  have 
been  prophesied  concerning  them,  and  also  concerning  all 
those  who  shall  hereafter  be  scattered  and  be  confounded,  be- 
cause of  the  Holy  One  of  Israel;  for  against  him  will  they 
harden  their  hearts; 

12  Wherefore,  they  shall  be  scattered  among  all  nations, 
and  shall  be  hated  of  all  men. 

13  Nevertheless,  after  they  have  been  nursed  by  the  Gen* 
tiles,  and  the  Lord  has  lifted  up  his  hand  upon  the  Gentiles 
and  set  them  up  for  a  standard,  and  their  children  have  been 
carried  in  their  arms,  and  their  daughters  have  been  carried 
upon  their  shoulders,  behold,  these  things  of  which  are  spoken, 
are  temporal:  for  thus  are  the  covenants  of  the  Lord  with 
our  fathers; 

14  And  it  meaneth  us  in  the  days  to  come,  and  also  all  our 
brethren  who  are  of  the  house  of  Israel. 

15  And  it  meaneth  that  the  time  cometh  that  after  all  the 
house  of  Israel  have  been  scattered  and  confounded,  that  the 
Lord  God  will  raise  up  a  mighty  nation  among  the  Gentiles, 
yea,  even  upon  the  face  of  this  land; 

16  And  by  them  shall  our  seed  be  scattered. 

17  And  after  our  seed  is  scattered,  the  Lord  God  will  pro- 


74  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHL  [chap.  7. 

ceed  to  do  a  marvelous  work  among  the  Gentiles,  which  shall 
be  of  great  worth  unto  our  seed; 

18  Wherefore,  it  is  likened  unto  their  being  nourished  by 
the  Gentiles,  and  being  carried  in  their  arms,  and  upon  their 
shoulders. 

19  And  it  shall  also  be  of  worth  unto  the  Gentiles: 

20  And  not  only  unto  the  Gentiles,  but  unto  all  the  house 
of  Israel,  unto  the  making  known  of  the  covenants  of  the 
Father  of  heaven  unto  Abraham,  saying,  In  thy  seed  shall 
all  the  kindreds  of  the  earth  be  blessed. 

21  And  I  would,  my  brethren,  that  ye  should  know  that  all 
the  kindreds  of  the  earth  can  not  be  blessed  unless  he  shall 
make  bare  his  arm  in  the  eyes  of  the  nations. 

22  Wherefore,  the  Lord  God  will  proceed  to  make  bare  his 
arm  in  the  eyes  of  all  the  nations,  in  bringing  about  his 
covenants  and  his  gospel,  unto  those  who  are  of  the  house  of 
Israel. 

23  Wherefore,  he  will  bring  them  again  out  of  captivity, 
and  they  shall  be  gathered  together  to  the  lands  of  their 
inheritance; 

24  And  they  shall  be  brought  out  of  obscurity,  and  out  of 
darkness ; 

25  And  they  shall  know  that  the  Lord  is  their  Savior  and 
their  Redeemer,  the  mighty  one  of  Israel. 

26  And  the  blood  of  that  great  and  abominable  church, 
which  is  the  whore  of  all  the  earth,  shall  turn  upon  their 
own  heads; 

27  For  they  shall  war  among  themselves,  and  the  sword  of 
their  own  hands  shall  fall  upon  their  own  heads,  and  they 
shall  be  drunken  with  their  own  blood. 

28  And  every  nation  which  shall  war  against  thee,  O  house 
of  Israel,  shall  be  turned  one  against  another, 

29  And  they  shall  fall  into  the  pit  which  they  digged  to 
ensnare  the  people  of  the  Lord. 

30  And  all  that  fight  against  Zion,  shall  be  destroyed. 

31  And  that  great  whore,  who  hath  perverted  the  right 
ways  of  the  Lord;  yea,  that  great  and  abominable  church, 
shall  tumble  to  the  dust,  and  great  shall  be  the  fall  of  it. 


CHAP.  7.]  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  75 

32  For  behold,  saith  the  prophet,  The  time  cometh  speed- 
ily, that  Satan  shall  have  no  more  power  over  the  hearts  of 
the  children  of  men: 

33  For  the  day  soon  cometh,  that  all  the  proud  and  they 
who  do  wickedly,  shall  be  as  stubble;  and  the  day  cometh 
that  they  must  be  burned. 

34  For  the  time  soon  cometh,  that  the  fullness  of  the  wrath 
of  God  shall  be  poured  out  upon  all  the  children  of  men: 

35  For  he  will  not  suffer  that  the  wicked  shall  destroy  the 
righteous. 

36  Wherefore,  he  will  preserve  the  righteous  by  his  power, 
even  if  it  be  so  that  the  fullness  of  his  wrath  must  come, 
and  the  righteous  be  preserved,  even  unto  the  destruction  of 
their  enemies  by  fire. 

37  Wherefore,  the  righteous  need  not  fear;  for  thus  saith 
the  prophet.  They  shall  be  saved,  even  if  it  so  be  as  by  fire. 

38  Behold,  my  brethren,  I  say  unto  you,  that  these  things 
must  shortly  come;  yea,  even  blood,  and  fire,  and  vapor  of 
smoke  must  come; 

39  And  it  must  needs  be  upon  the  face  of  this  earth; 

40  And  it  cometh  unto  men  according  to  the  flesh,  if  it  so 
be  that  they  will  harden  their  hearts  against  the  Holy  One 
of  Israel: 

41  For  behold,  the  righteous  shall  not  perish; 

42  For  the  time  surely  must  come,  that  all  they  who  fight 
against  Zion,  shall  be  cut  off. 

43  And  the  Lord  will  surely  prepare  a  way  for  his  people, 
unto  the  fulfilling  of  the  words  of  Moses,  which  he  spake, 
saying : 

44  A  prophet  shall  the  Lord  your  God  raise  up  unto  you, 
like  unto  me;  him  shall  ye  hear  in  all  things  whatsoever  he 
shall  say  unto  you. 

45  And  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  all  those  who  will  not 
hear  that  prophet,  shall  be  cut  off  from  among  the  people. 

46  And  now  I,  Nephi,  declare  unto  you,  that  this  prophet 
of  whom  Moses  spake,  was  the  Holy  One  of  Israel; 

47  Wherefore,  he  shall  execute  judgment  in  righteousness; 


76  FIRST    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  7. 

48  And  the  righteous  need  not  fear,  for  they  are  those  who 
shall  not  be  confounded. 

49  But  it  is  the  kingdom  of  the  devil  which  shall  be  built  up 
among  the  children  of  men,  which  kingdom  is  established 
among  them  which  are  in  the  flesh: 

50  For  the  time  speedily  shall  come,  that  all  churches  which 
are  built  up  to  get  gain,  and  all  those  who  are  built  up  to 
get  power  over  the  flesh,  and  those  who  are  built  up  to 
become  popular  in  the  eyes  of  the  world,  and  those  who  seek 
the  lusts  of  the  flesh  and  the  things  of  the  world,  and  to  do 
all  manner  of  iniquity; 

51  Yea,  in  fine,  all  those  who  belong  to  the  kingdom  of  the 
devil,  are  they  who  need  fear,  and  tremble,  and  quake; 

52  They  are  those  who  must  be  brought  low  in  the  dust; 

53  They  are  those  who  must  be  consumed  as  stubble: 

54  And  this  is  according  to  the  words  of  the  prophet. 

55  And  the  time  cometh  speedily,  that  the  righteous  must 
be  led  up  as  calves  of  the  stall,  and  the  Holy  One  of  Israel 
must  reign  in  dominion,  and  might,  and  power,  and  great 
glory. 

56  And  he  gathereth  his  children  from  the  four  quarters 
of  the  earth; 

57  And  he  numbereth  his  sheep,  and  they  know  him; 

58  And  there  shall  be  one  fold  and  one  shepherd: 

59  And  he  shall  feed  his  sheep,  and  in  him  they  shall  find 
pasture. 

60  And  because  of  the  righteousness  of  his  people,  Satan 
has  no  power; 

61  Wherefore,  he  can  not  be  loosed  for  the  space  of  many 
years ; 

62  For  he  hath  no  power  over  the  hearts  of  the  people,  for 
they  dwell  in  righteousness,  and  the  Holy  One  of  Israel 
reigneth. 

63  And  now  behold,  I,  Nephi,  say  unto  you,  that  all  these 
things  must  come  according  to  the  flesh. 

64  But,  behold,  all  nations,  kindreds,  tongues,  and  people, 
shall  dwell  safely  in  the  Holy  One  of  Israel,  if  it  so  be  that 
they  will  repent. 


CHAP.  1.]  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  77 

65  TlAnd  now  I,  Nephi,  make  an  end;  for  I  durst  not  speak 
further  as  yet,  concerning  these  things. 

66  Wherefore,  my  brethren,  I  would  that  ye  should  con- 
sider that  the  things  which  have  been  written  upon  the  plates 
of  brass,  are  true; 

67  And  they  testify  that  a  man  must  be  obedient  to  the 
commandments  of  God. 

68  Wherefore,  ye  need  not  suppose  that  I  and  my  father 
are  the  only  ones  that  have  testified,  and  also  taught  them. 

69  Wherefore,  if  ye  shall  be  obedient  to  the  commandments, 
and  endure  to  the  end,  ye  shall  be  saved  at  the  last  day. 

70  And  thus  it  is.     Amen. 


THE  SECOND  BOOK  OF  NEPHI. 


CHAPTER    1. 

An  account  of  the  death  of  Lehi.  Nephi's  brethren  rebelleth 
against  him.  The  Lord  warns  Nephi  to  depart  into  the 
wilderness.     His  journeyings  in  the  wilderness,  &c. 

1  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  after  I,  Nephi,  had  made  an 
end  of  teaching  my  brethren,  our  father,  Lehi,  also  spake 
many  things  unto  them,  how  great  things  the  Lord  had  done 
for  them,  in  bringing  them  out  of  the  land  of  Jerusalem. 

2  And  he  spake  unto  them  concerning  their  rebellions  upon 
the  waters,  and  the  mercies  of  God  in  sparing  their  lives, 
that  they  were  not  swallowed  up  in  the  sea. 

3  And  he  also  spake  unto  them  concerning  the  land  of 
promise  which  they  had  obtained,  how  merciful  the  Lord  had 
been  in  warning  us  that  we  should  flee  out  of  the  land  of 
Jerusalem. 

4  For,  behold,  said  he,  I  have  seen  a  vision,  in  which  I 
know  that  Jerusalem  is  destroyed; 

5  And  had  we  remained  in  Jerusalem,  we  should  also  have 
perished. 


78  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  1. 

6  But,  said  he,  notwithstanding  our  afflictions,  we  have 
obtained  a  land  of  promise,  a  land  which  is  choice  above  all 
other  lands; 

7  A  land  which  the  Lord  God  hath  covenanted  with  me 
should  be  a  land  for  the  inheritance  of  my  seed. 

8  Yea,  the  Lord  hath  covenanted  this  land  unto  me,  and 
to  my  children  for  ever; 

9  And  also  all  those  who  should  be  led  out  of  other  coun- 
tries, by  the  hand  of  the  Lord. 

10  Wherefore,  I,  Lehi,  prophesy  according  to  the  workings 
of  the  Spirit  which  is  in  me,  that  there  shall  none  come  into 
this  land,  save  they  shall  be  brought  by  the  hand  of  the  Lord. 

11  Wherefore,  this  land  is  consecrated  unto  him  whom  he 
shall  bring. 

12  And  if  it  so  be  that  they  shall  serve  him  according  to 
the  commandments  which  he  hath  given,  it  shall  be  a  land  of 
liberty  unto  them; 

13  Wherefore,  they  shall  never  be  brought  down  into  cap- 
tivity:   if  so,  it  shall  be  because  of  iniquity: 

14  For  if  iniquity  shall  abound,  cursed  shall  be  the  land 
for  their  sakes; 

15  But  unto  the  righteous,  it  shall  be  blessed  for  ever. 

16  And  behold,  it  is  wisdom  that  this  land  should  be  kept 
as  yet  from  the  knowledge  of  other  nations; 

17  For,  behold,  many  nations  would  overrun  the  land,  that 
there  would  be  no  place  for  an  inheritance. 

18  Wherefore,  I,  Lehi,  have  obtained  a  promise,  that  inas- 
much as  those  whom  the  Lord  God  shall  bring  out  of  the  land 
of  Jerusalem  shall  keep  his  commandments,  they  shall  pros- 
per upon  the  face  of  this  land; 

19  And  they  shall  be  kept  from  all  other  nations,  that  they 
may  possess  this  land  unto  themselves. 

20  And  if  it  so  be  that  they  shall  keep  his  commandments, 
they  shall  be  blessed  upon  the  face  of  this  land, 

21  And  there  shall  be  none  to  molest  them,  nor  to  take 
away  the  land  of  their  inheritance;  and  they  shall  dwell 
safely  for  ever. 


CHAP.  1.]  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  79 

22  But  behold,  when  the  time  cometh  that  they  shall  dwin- 
dle in  unbelief,  after  they  have  received  so  great  blessings 
from  the  hand  of  the  Lord;  having  a  knowledge  of  the  crea- 
tion of  the  earth,  and  all  men,  knowing  the  great  and  mar- 
velous works  of  the  Lord  from  the  creation  of  the  world; 
having  power  given  them  to  do  all  things  by  faith;  having 
all  the  commandments  from  the  beginning,  and  having  been 
brought  by  his  infinite  goodness  into  this  precious  land  of 
promise ; 

23  Behold,  I  say,  If  the  day  shall  come  that  they  will  reject 
the  Holy  One  of  Israel,  the  true  Messiah,  their  Redeemer  and 
their  God,  behold,  the  judgments  of  him  that  is  just,  shall 
rest  upon  them; 

24  Yea,  he  will  bring  other  nations  unto  them,  and  he  will 
give  unto  them  power,  and  he  will  take  away  from  them  the 
lands  of  their  possessions,  and  he  will  cause  them  to  be  scat- 
tered and  smitten. 

25  Yea,  as  one  generation  passeth  to  another,  there  shall 
be  bloodsheds  and  great  visitations  among  them; 

26  Wherefore,  my  sons,  I  would  that  ye  would  remember; 
yea,  I  would  that  ye  would  hearken  unto  my  words. 

27  0  that  ye  would  awake;  awake  from  a  deep  sleep,  yea, 
even  from  the  sleep  of  hell,  and  shake  off  the  awful  chains  by 
which  ye  are  bound,  which  are  the  chains  which  bind  the 
children  of  men,  that  they  are  carried  away  captive  down  to 
the  eternal  gulf  of  misery  and  wo! 

28  Awake!  and  rise  from  the  dust,  and  hear  the  words  of 
a  trembling  parent,  whose  limbs  ye  must  soon  lay  down  in 
the  cold  and  silent  grave,  from  whence  no  traveler  can  return ; 
a  few  more  days,  and  I  go  the  way  of  all  the  earth. 

29  But  behold,  the  Lord  hath  redeemed  my  soul  from  hell: 
I  have  beheld  his  glory,  and  I  am  encircled  about  eternally  in 
the  arms  of  his  love. 

30  And  I  desire  that  ye  should  remember  to  observe  the 
statutes  and  the  judgments  of  the  Lord:  behold,  this  hath 
been  the  anxiety  of  my  soul,  from  the  beginning. 

31  My  heart  hath  been  weighed  down  with  sorrow  from 


80  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHL  [chap.  1. 

time  to  time;  for  I  have  feared,  lest  for  the  hardness  of  youi- 
hearts,  the  Lord  your  God  should  come  out  in  the  fullness  of 
his  wrath  upon  you,  that  ye  be  cut  off  and  destroyed  for  ever ; 

32  Or  that  a  cursing  should  come  upon  you  for  the  space 
of  many  generations;  and  ye  are  visited  by  sword,  and  by 
famine,  and  are  hated,  and  are  led  according  to  the  will  and 
captivity  of  the  devil. 

33  0  my  sons,  that  these  things  might  not  come  upon  you, 
but  that  ye  might  be  a  choice  and  a  favored  people  of  the 
Lord! 

34  But  behold,  his  will  be  done :  for  his  ways  are  righteous- 
ness for  ever;  and  he  hath  said  that.  Inasmuch  as  ye  shall 
keep  my  commandments  ye  shall  prosper  in  the  land;  but 
inasmuch  as  ye  will  not  keep  my  commandments  ye  shall  be 
cut  off  from  my  presence. 

35  And  now  that  my  soul  might  have  joy  in  you,  and  that 
my  heart  might  leave  this  world  with  gladness  because  of 
you;  that  I  might  not  be  brought  down  with  grief  and  sor- 
row to  the  grave, 

36  Arise  from  the  dust,  my  sons,  and  be  men,  and  be  deter- 
mined in  one  mind,  and  in  one  heart  united  in  all  things,  that 
ye  may  not  come  down  into  captivity;  that  ye  may  not  be 
cursed  with  a  sore  cursing; 

37  And  also,  that  ye  may  not  incur  the  displeasure  of  a 
just  God  upon  you,  unto  the  destruction,  yea,  the  eternal  de- 
struction of  both  soul  and  body. 

38  Awake,  my  sons:   put  on  the  armor  of  righteousness. 

39  Shake  off  the  chains  with  which  ye  are  bound,  and  come 
forth  out  of  obscurity,  and  arise  from  the  dust. 

40  Rebel  no  more  against  your  brother,  whose  views  have 
been  glorious,  and  v;ho  hath  kept  the'  commandments  from 
the  time  that  we  left  Jerusalem,  and  who  hath  been  an  instru- 
ment in  the  hands  of  God  in  bringing  us  forth  into  the  land 
of  promise; 

41  For  were  it  not  for  him  we  must  have  perished  with 
hunger  in  the  wilderness; 


CHAP.  1.]  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  81 

42  Nevertheless,  ye  sought  to  take  away  his  life;  yea,  and 
he  hath  suffered  much  sorrow  because  of  you. 

43  And  I  exceedingly  fear  and  tremble  because  of  you,  lest 
he  shall  suffer  again; 

44  For  behold,  ye  have  accused  him  that  he  sought  power 
and  authority  over  you; 

45  But  I  know  that  he  hath  not  sought  for  power  nor  au- 
thority over  you;  but  he  hath  sought  the  glory  of  God,  and 
your  own  eternal  welfare. 

46  And  ye  have  murmured  because  he  hath  been  plain  unto 
you. 

47  Ye  say  that  he  hath  used  sharpness;  ye  say  that  he 
hath  been  angry  with  you. 

48  But  behold,  his  sharpness  was  the  sharpness  of  the 
power  of  the  word  of  God,  which  was  in  him; 

49  And  that  which  ye  call  anger,  was  the  truth,  according 
to  that  which  is  in  God,  which  he  could  not  restrain,  mani- 
festing boldly  concerning  your  iniquities. 

50  And  it  must  needs  be  that  the  power  of  God  must  be 
with  him,  even  unto  his  commanding  you,  that  ye  must  obey. 

51  But  behold,  it  was  not  him,  but  it  was  the  Spirit  of  the 
Lord  which  was  in  him,  which  opened  his  mouth  to  utterance, 
that  he  could  not  shut  it. 

52  ^And  now  my  son  Laman  and  also  Lemuel  and  Sam, 
and  also  my  sons  who  are  the  sons  of  Ishmael,  behold,  if  ye 
will  hearken  unto  the  voice  of  Nephi,  ye  shall  not  perish. 

53  And  if  ye  will  hearken  unto  him,  I  leave  unto  you  a 
blessing,  yea,  even  my  first  blessing. 

54  But  if  ye  will  not  hearken  unto  him,  I  take  away  my 
first  blessing,  yea,  even  my  blessing,  and  it  shall  rest  upon 
him. 

55  And  now,  Zoram,  I  speak  unto  you:  Behold,  thou  art 
the  servant  of  Laban;  nevertheless,  thou  hast  been  brought 
out  of  the  land  of  Jerusalem,  and  I  know  that  thou  art  a 
true  friend  unto  my  son  Nephi,  for  ever. 

56  Wherefore,  because  thou  hast  beeen  faithful,  thy  seed 


82  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  1. 

shall  be  blessed  with  his  seed,  that  they  dwell  in  prosperity 
long  upon  the  face  of  this  land; 

57  And  nothing,  save  it  shall  be  iniquity  among  them,  shall 
harm  or  disturb  their  prosperity  upon  the  face  of  this  land 
for  ever. 

58  Wherefore,  if  ye  shall  keep  the  commandments  of  the 
Lord,  the  Lord  hath  consecrated  this  land  for  the  security  of 
thy  seed  with  the  seed  of  my  son. 

59  And  now,  Jacob,  I  speak  unto  you:  Thou  art  my  first 
born  in  the  days  of  my  tribulation  in  the  wilderness. 

60  And  behold,  in  thy  childhood  thou  hast  suffered  afflic- 
tions and  much  sorrow,  because  of  the  rudeness  of  thy  breth- 
ren. 

61  Nevertheless,  Jacob,  my  first  born  in  the  wilderness, 
thou  knowest  the  greatness  of  God;  and  he  shall  consecrate 
thine  afflictions  for  thy  gain. 

62  Wherefore  thy  soul  shall  be  blessed,  and  thou  shalt  dwell 
safely  with  thy  brother  Nephi;  and  thy  days  shall  be  spent 
in  the  service  of  thy  God. 

63  Wherefore,  I  know  that  thou  art  redeemed,  because  of 
the  righteousness  of  thy  Redeemer:  for  thou  hast  beheld, 
that  in  the  fullness  of  time,  he  cometh  to  bring  salvation  unto 
men. 

64  And  thou  hast  beheld  in  thy  youth  his  glory;  wherefore, 
thou  art  blessed  even  as  they  unto  whom  he  shall  minister  in 
the  flesh: 

65  For  the  Spirit  is  the  same,  yesterday,  to-day,  and  for 
ever. 

66  And  the  way  is  prepared  from  the  fall  of  man,  and  sal- 
vation is  free. 

67  And  men  are  instructed  sufficiently,  that  they  know 
good  from  evil. 

68  And  the  law  is  given  unto  men. 

69  And  by  the  law,  no  flesh  is  justified;  or,  by  the  law, 
men  are  cut  off. 

70  Yea,  by  the  temporal  law,  they  were  cut  off;    and  alco 


i 


CHAP.  1.]  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  83 

by  the  spiritual  law  they  perish  from  that  which  is  good,  and 
become  miserable  for  ever. 

71  Wherefore,  redemption  cometh  in  and  through  the  holy 
Messiah:    for  he  is  full  of  grace  and  truth. 

72  Behold,  he  offereth  himself  a  sacrifice  for  sin,  to  answer 
the  ends  of  the  law,  unto  all  those  who  have  a  broken  heart 
and  a  contrite  spirit;  and  unto  none  else  can  the  ends  of  the 
law  be  answered. 

73  Wherefore,  how  great  the  importance  to  make  these 
things  known  unto  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth,  that  they  may 
know  that  there  is  no  flesh  that  can  dwell  in  the  presence  of 
God,  save  it  be  through  the  merits,  and  mercy,  and  grace  of 
the  holy  Messiah, 

74  Who  layeth  down  his  life  according  to  the  flesh,  and 
taketh  it  again  by  the  power  of  the  Spirit, 

75  That  he  may  bring  to  pass  the  resurrection  of  the  dead, 
being  the  first  that  should  rise. 

76  Wherefore,  he  is  the  first  fruits  unto  God,  inasmuch  as 
he  shall  make  intercession  for  all  the  children  of  men; 

77  And  they  that  believe  in  him,  shall  be  saved. 

78  And  because  of  the  intercession  for  all,  all  men  come 
unto  God; 

79  Wherefore,  they  stand  in  the  presence  of  him,  to  be 
judged  of  him,  according  to  the  truth  and  holiness  which  is 
in  him. 

80  Wherefore,  the  ends  of  the  law  which  the  Holy  One 
hath  given,  unto  the  inflicting  of  the  punishment  which  is 
affixed,  which  punishment  that  is  affixed  is  in  opposition  to 
that  of  the  happiness  which  is  affixed,  to  answer  the  ends  of 
the  atonement; 

81  For  it  must  needs  be,  that  there  is  an  opposition  in  all 
things. 

82  If  not  so,  my  first  born  in  the  wilderness,  righteousness 
could  not  be  brought  to  pass;  neither  wickedness;  neither 
holiness  nor  misery;   neither  good  nor  bad. 

83  Wherefore,  all  things  must  needs  be  a  compound  in  one; 

84  Wherefore,   if   it   should   be   one   body,    it   must   needs 


84  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  1. 

remain  as  dead,  having  no  life,  neither  death  nor  corruption, 
nor  incorruption,  happiness  nor  misery,  neither  sense  nor 
insensibility. 

85  Wherefore,  it  must  needs  have  been  created  for  a  thing 
of  nought; 

86  Wherefore,  there  would  have  been  no  purpose  in  the  end 
of  its  creation. 

87  Wherefore,  this  thing  must  needs  destroy  the  wisdom 
of  God,  and  his  eternal  purposes;  and  also,  the  power,  and 
the  mercy,  and  the  justice  of  God. 

88  And  if  ye  shall  say  there  is  no  law,  ye  shall  also  say 
there  is  no  sin. 

89  And  if  ye  shall  say  there  is  no  sin,  ye  shall  also  say 
there  is  no  righteousness. 

90  And  if  there  be  no  righteousness,  there  be  no  happiness. 

91  And  if  there  be  no  righteousness  nor  happiness,  there  be 
no  punishment  nor  misery. 

92  And  if  these  things  are  not,  there  is  no  God. 

93  And  if  there  is  no  God,  we  are  not,  neither  the  earth, 
for  there  could  have  been  no  creation  of  things,  neither  to  act 
nor  to  be  acted  upon;  wherefore,  all  things  must  have  van- 
ished away. 

94  ^And  now,  my  son,  I  speak  unto  you  these  things,  for 
your  profit  and  learning: 

95  For  there  is  a  God,  and  he  hath  created  all  things,  both 
the  heavens  and  the  earth,  and  all  things  that  in  them  is; 

96  Both  things  to  act,  and  things  to  be  acted  upon; 

97  And  to  bring  about  his  eternal  purposes  in  the  end  of 
man,  after  he  had  created  our  first  parents,  and  the  beasts  of 
the  field  and  the  fowls  of  the  air,  and  in  fine,  all  things  which 
are  created,  it  must  needs  be  that  there  was  an  opposition; 

98  Even  the  forbidden  fruit  in  opposition  to  the  tree  of 
life;    the  one  being  sweet  and  the  other  bitter; 

99  Wherefore,  the  Lord  God  gave  unto  man,  that  he  should 
act  for  himself. 

100  Wherefore,  man  could  not  act  for  himself,  save  it 
should  be  that  he  was  enticed  by  the  one  or  the  other. 


CHAP.  1.]  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  85 

101  TlAnd  I,  Lehi,  according  to  the  things  which  I  have 
read,  must  needs  suppose  that  an  angel  of  God,  according  to 
that  which  is  written,  had  fallen  from  heaven; 

102  Wherefore  he  became  a  devil,  having  sought  that  which 
was  evil  before  God. 

103  And  because  he  had  fallen  from  heaven,  and  had  be- 
come miserable  for  ever,  he  sought  also  the  misery  of  all  man- 
kind. 

104  Wherefore,  he  said  unto  Eve,  yea,  even  that  old  ser- 
pent, who  is  the  devil,  who  is  the  father  of  all  lies;  where- 
fore he  said,  Partake  of  the  forbidden  fruit,  and  ye  shall  not 
die,  but  ye  shall  be  as  God,  knowing  good  and  evil. 

105  And  after  Adam  and  Eve  had  partaken  of  the  forbid- 
den fruit,  they  were  driven  out  of  the  garden  of  Eden,  to  till 
the  earth. 

106  And  they  have  brought  forth  children;  yea,  e/en  the 
family  of  all  the  earth. 

107  And  the  days  of  the  children  of  men  were  prolonged, 
according  to  the  will  of  God,  that  they  might  repent  while  in 
the  flesh; 

108  Wherefore,  their  state  became  a  state  of  probation, 
and  their  time  was  lengthened,  according  to  the  command- 
ments which  the  Lord  God  gave  unto  the  children  of  men. 

109  For  he  gave  commandment  that  all  men  must  repent; 

110  For  he  shewed  unto  all  men  that  they  were  lost,  be- 
cause of  the  transgression  of  their  parents. 

111  And  now,  behold,  if  Adam  had  not  transgressed,  he 
would  not  have  fallen;  but  he  would  have  remained  in  the 
garden  of  Eden. 

112  And  all  things  which  were  created,  must  have  remained 
in  the  same  state  which  they  were,  after  they  were  created; 
and  they  must  have  remained  for  ever,  and  had  no  end. 

113  And  they  would  have  had  no  children ;  wherefore,  they 
would  have  remained  in  a  state  of  innocence,  having  no  joy, 
for  they  knew  no  misery;  doing  no  good,  for  they  knev/  no  sin. 

114  But  behold,  all  things  have  been  done  in  the  wisdom  of 
him  who  knoweth  all  things. 


86  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  1. 

115  Adam  fell,  that  men  might  be;  and  men  are,  that  they 
might  have  joy. 

116  And  the  Messiah  cometh  in  the  fullness  of  time,  that 
he  may  redeem  the  children  of  men  from  the  fall. 

117  And  because  that  they  are  redeemed  from  the  fall,  they 
have  become  free  for  ever,  knowing  good  from  evil; 

118  To  act  for  themselves,  and  not  to  be  acted  upon,  save 
it  be  by  the  punishment  of  the  Lord,  at  the  great  and  last 
day,  accordmg  to  the  commandments  which  God  hath  given. 

119  Wherefore,  men  are  free  according  to  the  flesh;  and 
all  things  are  given  them  which  are  expedient  unto  man. 

120  And  they  are  free  to  choose  liberty  and  eternal  life, 
through  the  great  mediation  of  all  men,  or  to  choose  cap- 
tivity and  death,  according  to  the  captivity  and  power  of  the 
devil : 

121  For  he  seeketh  that  all  men  might  be  miserable  like 
unto  himself. 

122  ^And  now,  my  sons,  I  would  that  ye  should  look  to  the 
great  Mediator,  and  hearken  unto  his  great  commandments; 

123  And  be  faithful  unto  his  words,  and  choose  eternal  life, 
according  to  the  will  of  his  Holy  Spirit, 

124  And  not  choose  eternal  death,  according  to  the  will  of 
the  flesh  and  the  evil  which  is  therein, 

125  Which  giveth  the  spirit  of  the  devil  power  to  captivate, 
to  bring  you  down  to  hell,  that  he  may  reign  over  you  in  his 
own  kingdom. 

126  ^I  have  spoken  these  few  words  unto  you  all,  my  sons, 
In  the  last  days  of  my  probation; 

127  And  I  have  chosen  the  good  part,  according  to  the 
words  of  the  prophet. 

128  And  I  have  none  other  object,  save  it  be  the  everlasting 
welfare  of  your  souls.     Amen. 


CHAP.  2.]  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  87 

CHAPTER    2. 

1  IJAnd  now  I  speak  unto  you,  Joseph,  my  last  born. 

2  Thou  wast  born  in  the  wilderness  of  mine  afflictions;  yea, 
in  the  days  of  my  greatest  sorrow  did  thy  mother  bear  thee. 

3  And  may  the  Lord  consecrate  also  unto  thee  this  land, 
which  is  a  most  precious  land,  for  thine  inheritance  and  the 
inheritance  of  thy  seed  with  thy  brethren,  for  thy  security 
for  ever,  if  it  so  be  that  ye  shall  keep  the  commandments  of 
the  Holy  One  of  Israel. 

4  And  now,  Joseph,  my  last  born,  whom  I  have  brought  out 
of  the  wilderness  of  mine  afflictions,  may  the  Lord  bless  thee 
for  ever,  for  thy  seed  shall  not  utterly  be  destroyed. 

5  For  behold,  thou  art  the  fruit  of  my  loins;  and  I  am 
a  descendant  of  Joseph,  who  was  carried  captive  into  Egypt. 

6  And  great  were  the  covenants  of  the  Lord,  which  he 
made  unto  Joseph;    wherefore,  Joseph  truly  saw  our  day. 

7  And  he  obtained  a  promise  of  the  Lord,  that  out  of  the 
fruit  of  his  loins,  the  Lord  God  would  raise  up  a  righteous 
branch  unto  the  house  of  Israel; 

8  Not  the  Messiah^  but  a  branch  which  was  to  be  broken 
off;  nevertheless,  to  be  remembered  in  the  covenants  of  the 
Lord, 

9  That  the  Messiah  should  be  made  manifest  unto  them  in 
the  latter  days,  in  the  spirit  of  power,  unto  the  bringing  of 
them  out  of  darkness  unto  light;  yea,  out  of  hidden  dark- 
ness and  out  of  captivity  unto  freedom. 

10  For  Joseph  truly  testified,  saying:  A  seer  shall  the 
Lord  my  God  raise  up,  who  shall  be  a  choice  seer  unto  the 
fruit  of  my  loins. 

11  Yea,  Joseph  truly  said.  Thus  saith  the  Lord  unto  me:  A 
choice  seer  will  I  raise  up  out  of  the  fruit  of  thy  loins;  and 
he  shall  be  esteemed  highly  among  the  fruit  of  thy  loins. 

12  And  unto  him  will  I  give  commandment,  that  he  shall 
do  a  work  for  the  fruit  of  thy  loins,  his  brethren,  which  shall 
be  of  great  worth  unto  them,  even  to  the  bringing  of  them 
to  the  knowledge  of  the  covenants  which  I  have  made  with  thy 
fathers. 


88  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  2. 

13  And  I  will  give  unto  him  a  commandment,  that  he  shall 
do  none  other  work  save  the  work  which  I  shall  command  him. 

14  And  I  will  make  him  great  in  mine  eyes:  for  he  shall 
do  my  work. 

15  And  he  shall  be  great  like  unto  Moses,  whom  I  have  said 
I  would  raise  up  unto  you,  to  deliver  my  people,  O  house  of 
Israel. 

16  And  Moses  will  I  raise  up,  to  deliver  thy  people  out  of 
the  land  of  Egypt. 

17  But  a  seer  will  I  raise  up  out  of  the  fruit  of  thy  loins; 
and  unto  him  will  I  give  power  to  bring  forth  my  word  unto 
the  seed  of  thy  loins; 

18  And  not  to  the  bringing  forth  my  word  only,  saith  the 
Lord,  but  to  the  convincing  them  of  my  word,  which  shall  have 
already  gone  forth  among  them. 

19  Wherefore,  the  fruit  of  thy  loins  shall  write;  and  the 
fruit  of  the  loins  of  Judah  shall  write; 

20  And  that  which  shall  be  written  by  the  fruit  of  thy 
loins,  and  also  that  which  shall  be  written  by  the  fruit  of  the 
loins  of  Judah,  shall  grow  together, 

21  Unto  the  confounding  of  false  doctrines,  and  laying 
down  of  contentions,  and  establishing  peace  among  the  fruit 
of  thy  loins, 

22  And  bringing  them  to  the  knowledge  of  their  fathers  in 
the  latter  days; 

23  And  also  to  the  knowledge  of  my  covenants,  saith  the 
Lord. 

24  And  out  of  weakness  he  shall  be  made  stron>^,  in  that 
day  when  my  work  shall  commence  among  all  my  people, 
unto  the  restoring  thee,  O  house  of  Israel,  saith  the  Lord. 

25  And  thus  prophesied  Joseph,  saying:  Behold,  that  seer 
will  the  Lord  bless; 

26  And  they  that  seek  to  destroy  him,  shall  be  confounded: 

27  For  this  promise,  of  which  I  have  obtained  of  the  Lord, 
of  the  fruit  of  thy  loins,  shall  be  fulfilled. 

28  Behold,  I  am  sure  of  the  fulfilling  of  this  promise. 

29  And  his  name  shall  bo  called  after  me;  and  it  shall  be 
after  the  name  of  his  father. 


CHAP.  2.]  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  89 

30  And  he  shall  be  like  unto  me;  for  the  thing  which  the 
Lord  shall  bring  forth  by  his  hand,  by  the  power  of  the  Lord 
shall  bring  my  people  unto  salvation; 

31  Yea,  thus  prophesied  Joseph,  I  am  sure  of  this  thing, 
even  as  I  am  sure  of  the  promise  of  Moses:  for  the  Lord 
hath  said  unto  me,  I  will  preserve  thy  seed  for  ever. 

32  And  the  Lord  hath  said,  I  will  raise  up  a  Moses;  and 
I  will  give  power  unto  him  in  a  rod; 

33  And  I  will  give  judgment  unto  him  in  writing. 

34  Yet  I  will  not  loose  his  tongue,  that  he  shall  speak  much : 
for  I  will  not  make  him  mighty  in  speaking. 

35  But  I  will  write  unto  him  my  law,  by  the  finger  of  mine 
own  hand;    and  I  will  make  a  spokesman  for  him. 

36  And  the  Lord  said  unto  me  also,  I  will  raise  up  unto 
the  fruit  of  thy  loins:    and  I  will  make  for  him  a  spokesman. 

37  And  I,  behold,  I  will  give  unto  him,  that  he  shall  write 
the  writing  of  the  fruit  of  thy  loins,  unto  the  fruit  of  thy 
loins;    and  the  spokesman  of  thy  loins  shall  declare  it. 

38  And  the  words  which  he  shall  write,  shall  be  the  words 
which  are  expedient  in  my  wisdom  should  go  forth  unto  the 
fruit  of  thy  loins. 

39  And  it  shall  be  as  if  the  fruit  of  thy  loins  had  cried 
unto  them  from  the  dust;    for  I  know  their  faith. 

40  And  they  shall  cry  from  the  dust;  yea,  even  repentance 
unto  their  brethren,  even  after  many  generations  have  gone 
by  them. 

41  And  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  their  cry  shall  go,  even 
according  to  the  simpleness  of  their  words. 

42  Because  of  their  faith,  their  words  shall  proceed  fqrth 
out  of  my  mouth  unto  their  brethren,  who  are  the  fruit  of 
thy  loins; 

43  And  the  weakness  of  their  words  will  I  make  strong  in 
their  faith,  unto  the  remembering  of  my  covenant  which  I 
made  unto  thy  fathers. 

44  TJAnd  now,  behold,  my  son  Joseph,  after  this  manner  did 
my  father  of  old  prophesy. 

45  Wherefore,  because  of  this  covenant  thou  art  blessed: 


90  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  3. 

for  thy  seed  shall  not  be  destroyed,  for  they  shall  hearken 
unto  the  words  of  the  book. 

46  And  there  shall  raise  up  one  mighty  among  them,  who 
shall  do  much  good,  both  in  word  and  in  deed,  being  an  instru- 
ment in  the  hands  of  God,  with  exceeding  faith, 

47  To  work  mighty  wonders,  and  do  that  thing  which  is 
great  in  the  sight  of  God,  unto  the  bringing  to  pass  much 
restoration  unto  the  house  of  Israel,  and  unto  the  seed  of  thy 
brethren. 

48  And  now,  blessed  art  thou,  Joseph. 

49  Behold,  thou  art  little;  wherefore,  hearken  unto  the 
words  of  thy  brother  Nephi,  and  it  shall  be  done  unto  thee, 
even  according  to  the  words  which  I  have  spoken. 

50  Remember  the  words  of  thy  dying  father.    Amen. 


CHAPTER  3. 

1  ^And  now  I,  Nephi,  speak  concerning  the  prophecies  of 
which  my  father  hath  spoken,  concerning  Joseph,  who  was 
carried  into  Egypt: 

2  For  behold,  he  truly  prophesied  concerning  all  his  seed. 

3  And  the  prophecies  which  he  wrote,  there  are  not  many 
greater. 

4  And  he  prophesied  concerning  us,  and  our  future  gen- 
erations ; 

5  And  they  are  written  upon  the  plates  of  brass. 

6  Wherefore,  after  my  father  had  made  an  end  of  speak- 
ing concerning  the  prophecies  of  Joseph,  he  called  the-  chil- 
dren of  Laman,  his  sons,  and  his  daughters,  and  said  unto 
them, 

7  Behold  my  sons,  and  my  daughters,  who  are  the  sons  and 
the  daughters  of  my  first  born,  I  would  that  ye  should  give 
ear  unto  my  words: 

8  For  the  Lord  God  hath  said.  That  inasmuch  as  ye  shall 
keep  my  commandments,  ye  shall  prosper  in  the  land; 

9  And  inasmuch  as  ye  will  not  keep  my  commandments,  ye 
shall  be  cut  off  from  my  presence. 


CHAP.  3.]  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  91 

10  But  behold,  my  sons  and  my  daughters,  I  can  not  go 
down  to  my  grave,  save  I  should  leave  a  blessing  upon  you: 

11  For  behold,  I  know  that  if  ye  are  brought  up  in  the  way 
ye  should  go,  ye  will  not  depart  from  it. 

12  Wherefore,  if  ye  are  cursed,  behold,  I  leave  my  blessing 
upon  you,  that  the  cursing  may  be  taken  from  you,  and  be 
answered  upon  the  heads  of  your  parents. 

13  Wherefore,  because  of  my  blessing,  the  Lord  God  will 
not  suffer  that  ye  shall  perish;  wherefore,  he  will  be  merci- 
ful unto  you,  and  unto  your  seed  for  ever. 

14  TIAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  after  my  father  had  made  an 
end  of  speaking  to  the  sons  and  daughters  of  Laman,  he 
caused  the  sons  and  daughters  of  Lemuel  to  be  brought 
before  him. 

15  And  he  spake  unto  them,  saying:  Behold,  my  sons  and 
my  daughters,  who  are  the  sons  and  the  daughters  of  my 
second  son; 

16  Behold,  I  leave  unto  you  the  same  blessing  which  I  left 
unto  the  sons  and  daughters  of  Laman;  wherefore,  thou  shalt 
not  utterly  be  destroyed;  but  in  the  end  thy  seed  shall  be 
blessed. 

17  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  my  father  had  made  an 
end  of  speaking  unto  them,  behold,  he  spake  unto  the  sons 
of  Ishmael,  yea,  and  even  all  his  household. 

18  And  after  he  had  made  an  end  of  speaking  unto  them, 
he  spake  unto  Sam,  saying: 

19  Blessed  art  thou,  and  thy  seed:  for  thou  shalt  inherit 
the  land,  like  unto  thy  brother  Nephi. 

20  And  thy  seed  shall  be  numbered  with  his  seed; 

21  And  thou  shalt  be  even  like  unto  thy  brother,  and  thy 
seed  like  unto  his  seed;  and  thou  shalt  be  blessed  in  all  thy 
days. 

22  ^And  it  came  to  pass  after  my  father  Lehi  had  spoken 
unto  all  his  household,  according  to  the  feelings  of  his  heart, 
and  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  which  was  in  him,  he  waxed  old. 

23  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  died,  and  was  buried. 

24  TlAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  not  many  days  after  his 


a2  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  3. 

death,   Laman  and  Lemuel,   and  the   sons  of  Ishmael,  were 
angry  with  me  because  of  the  admonitions  of  the  Lord : 

25  For  I,  Nephi,  was  constrained  to  speak  unto  them,  ac- 
cording to  his  word. 

26  For  I  had  spake  many  things  unto  them,  and  also  my 
father,  before  his  death; 

27  Many  of  which  sayings,  are  written  upon  mine  other 
plates:  for  a  more  history  part  are  written  upon  mine  other 
plates. 

28  And  upon  these,  I  write  the  things  of  my  soul,  and  many 
of  the  scriptures  which  are  engraven  upon  the  plates  of 
brass : 

29  For  my  soul  delighteth  in  the  scriptures,  and  my  heart 
pondereth  them,  and  writeth  them  for  the  learning  and  the 
profit  of  my  children. 

30  Behold,  my  soul  delighteth  in  the  things  of  the  Lord; 
and  my  heart  pondereth  continually  upon  the  things  which  I 
have  seen  and  heard. 

31  Nevertheless,  the  great  goodness  of  the  Lord,  in  show- 
ing me  his  great  and  marvelous  works,  my  heart  exclaimeth, 
O  wretched  man  that  I  am;  yea,  my  heart  sorroweth  because 
of  my  flesh. 

32  My  soul  grieveth  because  of  mine  iniquities. 

33  I  am  encompassed  about  because  of  the  temptations 
and  the  sins  which  doth  so  easily  beset  me. 

34  And  when  I  desire  to  rejoice,  my  heart  groaneth  because 
of  my  sins;    nevertheless,  I  know  in  whom  I  have  trusted. 

35  My  God  hath  been  my  support;  he  hath  led  me  through 
mine  afflictions  in  the  wilderness;  and  he  hath  preserved  me 
upon  the  waters  of  the  great  deep. 

36  He  hath  filled  me  with  his  love,  even  unto  the  con- 
suming of  my  flesh. 

37  He  hath  confounded  mine  enemies,  unto  the  causing  of 
them  to  quake  before  me. 

38  Behold,  he  hath  heard  my  cry  by  day,  and  he  hath 
given  me  knowledge  by  visions  in  the  night  time. 

39  And  by  day  have  I  waxed  bold  in  mighty  prayer  before 


CHAP.  3.]  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  93 

him;     yea,   my  voice  have   I   sent  up   on   high;     and   angels 
came  down  and  ministered  unto  me. 

40  And  upon  the  wings  of  his  Spirit  hath  my  body  been 
carried  away  upon  exceeding  high  mountains. 

41  And  mine  eyes  have  beheld  great  things;  yea,  even  too 
great  for  man;  therefore  I  was  bidden  that  I  should  not 
write  them. 

42  0  then,  if  I  have  seen  so  great  things;  if  the  Lord  in 
his  condescension  unto  the  children  of  men,  hath  visited  me 
in  so  much  mercy,  why  should  my  heart  weep,  and  my  soul 
linger  in  the  valley  of  sorrow,  and  my  flesh  waste  away,  and 
my  strength  slacken,  because  of  mine  afflictions? 

43  And  why  should  I  yield  to  sin,  because  of  my  flesh? 

44  Yea,  why  should  I  give  way  to  temptations,  that  the 
evil  one  have  place  in  my  heart,  to  destroy  my  peace  and 
afflict  my  soul? 

45  Why  am  I  angry  because  of  mine  enemy? 

46  Awake,  my  soul!     No  longer  droop  in  sin. 

47  Rejoice,  O  my  heart,  and  give  place  no  more  for  the 
enemy  of  my  soul. 

48  Do  not  anger  again,  because  of  mine  enemies. 

49  Do  not  slacken  my  strength,  because  of  mine  afflictions. 

50  Rejoice,  0  my  heart,  and  cry  unto  the  Lord,  and  say, 
O  Lord,  I  will  praise  thee  for  ever;  yea,  my  soul  will  rejoice 
in  thee,  my  God,  and  the  rock  of  my  salvation. 

51  0  Lord,  wilt  thou  redeem  my  soul? 

52  Wilt  thou  deliver  me  out  of  the  hands  of  mine  enemies? 

53  Wilt  thou  make  me  that  I  may  shake  at  the  appearance 
of  sin? 

54  May  the  gates  of  hell  be  shut  continually  before  me, 
because  that  my  heart  is  broken  and  my  spirit  is  contrite? 

55  O  Lord,  wilt  thou  not  shut  the  gates  of  thy  righteous- 
ness before  me,  that  I  may  walk  in  the  path  of  the  low  valley, 
that  I  may  be  strict  in  the  plain  road? 

56  0  Lord,  wilt  thou  encircle  me  around  in  the  robe  of  thy 
righteousness? 


94  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  4. 

57  O  Lord,  wilt  thou  make  a  way  for  mine  escape  before 
mine  enemies? 

58  Wilt  thou  make  my  path  straight  before  me? 

59  Wilt  thou  not  place  a  stumbling  block  in  my  way? 

60  But  that  thou  wouldst  clear  my  way  before  me,  and 
hedge  not  up  my  way,  but  the  ways  of  mine  enemy. 

61  O  Lord,  I  have  trusted  in  thee,  and  I  will  trust  in  thee 
for  ever. 

62  I  will  not  put  my  trust  in  the  arm  of  flesh;  for  I  know 
that  cursed  is  he  that  putteth  his  trust  in  the  arm  of  flesh. 

63  Yea,  cursed  is  he  that  putteth  his  trust  in  man,  or 
maketh  flesh  his  arm. 

64  Yea,  I  know  that  God  will  give  liberally  to  him  that 
asketh. 

65  Yea,  my  God  will  give  me,  if  I  ask  not  amiss:  there- 
fore I  will  lift  up  my  voice  unto  thee;  yea,  I  will  cry  unto 
thee,  my  God,  the  rock  of  my  righteousness. 

66  Behold,  my  voice  shall  for  ever  ascend  up  unto  thee, 
my  rock  and  mine  everlasting  God.     Amen. 


CHAPTER  4. 

1  ^Behold,  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  Nephi,  did  cry  much  unto 
the  Lord  my  God,  because  of  the  anger  of  my  brethren. 

2  But  behold,  their  anger  did  increase  against  me;  inso- 
much that  they  did  seek  to  take  away  my  life. 

3  Yea,  they  did  murmur  against  me,  saying:  Our  younger 
brother  thinks  to  rule  over  us;  and  we  have  had  much  trial 
because  of  him;  wherefore,  now  let  us  slay  him,  that  we  may 
not  be  afflicted  more  because  of  his  words. 

4  For  behold,  we  will  not  have  him  to  be  our  ruler:  for  it 
belongs  unto  us,  who  are  the  elder  brethren,  to  rule  over  this 
people. 

5  Now  I  do  not  write  upon  these  plates,  all  the  words  which 
they  murmured  against  me. 

6  But  it  sufficeth  me  to  say,  that  they  did  seek  to  take 
away  my  life. 


CHAP.  4.]  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  95 

7  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  did  warn  me,  that  I, 
Nephi,  should  depart  from  them,  and  flee  into  the  wilderness, 
and  all  those  who  would  go  with  me. 

8  Wherefore,  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  Nephi,  did  take  my 
family,  and  also  Zoram  and  his  family,  and  Sam,  mine  elder 
brother,  and  his  family,  and  Jacob,  and  Joseph,  my  younger 
brethren,  and  also  my  sisters,  and  all  those  who  would  go 
with  me. 

9  And  all  those  who  would  go  with  me,  were  those  who  be- 
lieved in  the  warnings  and  the  revelations  of  God;  wherefore, 
they  did  hearken  unto  my  words. 

10  And  we  did  take  our  tents  and  whatsoever  things  were 
possible  for  us,  and  did  journey  in  the  wilderness  for  the 
space  of  many  days. 

11  And  after  we  had  journeyed  for  the  space  of  many 
days,  we  did  pitch  our  tents. 

12  And  my  people  would  that  we  should  call  the  name  of 
the  place  Nephi;    wherefore,  we  did  call  it  Nephi. 

13  And  all  those  who  were  with  me,  did  take  upon  them  to 
call  themselves  the  people  of  Nephi. 

14  And  we  did  observe  to  keep  the  judgments,  and  the 
statutes,  and  the  commandments  of  the  Lord,  in  all  things, 
according  to  the  law  of  Moses. 

15  And  the  Lord  was  with  us;  and  we  did  prosper  ex- 
ceedingly: for  we  did  sow  seed,  and  we  did  reap  again  in 
abundance. 

16  And  we  began  to  raise  flocks,  and  herds,  and  animals 
of  every  kind. 

17  And  I,  Nephi,  had  also  brought  the  records  which  were 
engraven  upon  the  plates  of  brass;  and  also  the  ball,  or 
compass,  which  was  prepared  for  my  father,  by  the  hand  of 
the  Lord,  according  to  that  which  is  written. 

18  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  began  to  prosper  exceed- 
ingly, and  to  multiply  in  the  land. 

19  And  I,  Nephi,  did  take  the  sword  of  Laban,  and  after 
the  manner  of  it  did  make  many  swords,  lest  by  any  means 


96  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  4. 

the  people  who  were  now  called  Lamanites,  should  come  upon 
us  and  destroy  us: 

20  For  I  knew  their  hatred  towards  me  and  my  children, 
and  those  who  were  called  my  people. 

21  And  I  did  teach  my  people  to  build  buildings,  and  to 
work  in  all  manner  of  wood,  and  of  iron,  and  of  copper,  and 
of  brass,  and  of  steel,  and  of  gold,  and  of  silver,  and  of  pre- 
cious ores,  which  were  in  great  abundance. 

22  And  I,  Nephi,  did  build  a  temple;  and  I  did  construct  it 
after  the  manner  of  the  temple  of  Solomon,  save  it  were  not 
built  of  so  many  precious  things: 

23  For  they  were  not  to  be  found  upon  the  land; 

24  Wherefore,  it  could  not  be  built  like  unto  Solomon's 
temple. 

25  But  the  manner  of  the  construction  was  like  unto  the 
temple  of  Solomon;  and  the  workmanship  thereof  was  exceed- 
ing fine. 

26  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  Nephi,  did  cause  my  people 
to  be  industrious,  and  to  labor  with  their  hands. 

27  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  would  that  I  should  be 
their  king. 

28  But  I,  Nephi,  was  desirous  that  they  should  have  no 
king;  nevertheless,  I  did  for  them  according  to  that  which 
was  in  my  power. 

29  And  behold,  the  words  of  the  Lord  had  been  fulfilled 
unto  my  brethren,  which  he  spake  concerning  them,  that  I 
should  be  their  ruler  and  their  teacher; 

30  V/herefore,  I  had  been  their  ruler  and  their  teacher,  ac- 
cording to  the  commandment  of  the  Lord,  until  the  time  they 
sought  to  take  away  my  life. 

31  Wherefore,  the  word  of  the  Lord  was  fulfilled  which  he 
spake  unto  me,  saying:  That  inasmuch  as  they  will  not 
hearken  unto  thy  words,  they  shall  be  cut  off  from  the  pres- 
ence of  the  Lord. 

32  And  behold  they  were  cut  off  from  his  presence. 

33  And  he  had  caused  the  cursing  to  come  upon  them,  yea, 
even  a  sore  cursing,  because  of  their  iniquity. 


CHAP.  4.]  SECOND    BOOK    OP"    NEPHI.  97 

34  For  behold,  they  had  hardened  their  hearts  against  him, 
that  they  had  become  like  unto  a  flint; 

35  Wherefore,  as  they  were  white,  and  exceeding  fair  and 
delightsome,  that  they  might  not  be  enticing  unto  my  people, 
the  Lord  God  did  cause  a  skin  of  blackness  to  come  upon 
them. 

36  And  thus  saith  the  Lord  God,  I  will  cause  that  they 
shall  be  loathsome  unto  thy  people,  save  they  shall  repent  of 
their  iniquities. 

37  And  cursed  shall  be  the  seed  of  him  that  mixeth  with 
their  seed:  for  they  shall  be  cursed  even  with  the  same  curs- 
ing. 

38  And  the  Lord  spake  it,  and  it  was  done. 

39  And  because  of  their  cursing  which  was  upon  them, 
they  did  become  an  idle  people,  full  of  mischief  and  subtlety, 
and  did  seek  in  the  wilderness  for  beasts  of  prey. 

40  And  the  Lord  God  said  unto  me.  They  shall  be  a  scourge 
unto  thy  seed,  to. stir  them  up  in  remembrance  of  me; 

41  And  inasmuch  as  they  will  not  remember  me,  and 
hearken  unto  my  words,  they  shall  scourge  them  even  unto 
destruction. 

42  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  Nephi,  did  consecrate  Jacob 
and  Joseph,  that  they  should  be  priests  and  teachers  over  the 
land  of  my  people. 

43  And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  lived  after  the  manner  of 
happiness. 

44  And  thirty  years  had  passed  away  from  the  time  we  left 
Jerusalem. 

45  And  I,  Nephi,  had  kept  the  records  upon  my  plates, 
which  I  had  made  of  my  people,  thus  far. 

46  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  God  said  unto  me. 
Make  other  plates;  and  thou  shalt  engraven  many  things 
upon  them  which  are  good  in  my  sight,  for  the  profit  of  thy 
people. 

47  Wherefore,  I,  Nephi,  to  be  obedient  to  the  command- 
ments of  the  Lord,  went  and  made  these  plates  upon  which  I 
have  engraven  these  things. 


98  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  5. 

48  And  I  engraved  that  which  is  pleasing  unto  God. 

49  And  if  my  people  are  pleased  with  the  things  of  God, 
they  will  be  pleased  with  mine  engravings  which  are  upon 
these  plates. 

50  And  if  my  people  desire  to  know  the  more  particular 
part  of  the  history  of  my  people,  they  must  search  mine  other 
plates. 

51  And  it  sufficeth  me  to  say,  that  forty  years  had  passed 
away,  and  we  had  already  had  wars  and  contentions  with  our 
brethren. 


CHAPTER    5. 

1  ^The  words  of  Jacob,  the  brother  of  Nephi,  which  he 
spake  unto  the  people  of  Nephi: 

2  Behold,  my  beloved  brethren,  I,  Jacob,  having  been  called 
of  God,  and  ordained  after  the  manner  of  his  holy  order, 

3  And  having  been  consecrated  by  my  brother,  Nephi,  unto 
whom  ye  look  as  a  king  or  a  protector,  and  on  whom  ye  de- 
pend for  safety, 

4  Behold,  ye  know  that  I  have  spoken  unto  you  exceeding 
many  things; 

5  Nevertheless,  I  speak  unto  you  again;  for  I  am  desirous 
for  the  welfare  of  your  souls. 

6  Yea,  mine  anxiety  is  great  for  you;  and  ye  yourselves 
know  that  it  ever  has  been. 

7  For  I  have  exhorted  you  with  all  diligence;  and  I  have 
taught  you  the  words  of  my  father; 

8  And  I  have  spoken  unto  you  concerning  all  things  which 
are  written  from  the  creation  of  the  world. 

9  IJAnd  now,  behold,  I  would  speak  unto  you  concerning 
things  which  are,  and  which  are  to  come; 

10  Wherefore,  I  will  read  you  the  words  of  Isaiah. 

11  And  they  are  the  words  which  my  brother  has  desired 
that  I  should  speak  unto  you. 

12  And  I  speak  them  unto  you  for  your  sakes,  that  ye  may 
learn  and  glorify  the  name  of  your  God. 


I 


CHAP.  5.]  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  99 

13  And  now  the  words  which  I  shall  read,  are  they  which 
Isaiah  spake  concerning  all  the  house  of  Israel; 

14  Wherefore,  they  may  be  likened  unto  you;  for  ye  are  of 
the  house  of  Israel. 

15  And  there  are  many  things  which  have  been  spoken  by 
Isaiah,  which  may  be  likened  unto  you,  because  ye  are  of  the 
house  of  Israel. 

16  ^And  now,  these  are  the  words: 

17  ^Thus  saith  the  Lord  God;  Behold,  I  will  lift  up  mine 
hand  to  the  Gentiles,  and  set  up  my  standard  to  the  people; 

18  And  they  shall  bring  thy  sons  in  their  arms,  and  thy 
daughters  shall  be  carried  upon  their  shoulders. 

19  And  kings  shall  be  thy  nursing  fathers,  and  their  queens 
thy  nursing  mothers: 

20  They  shall  bow  down  to  thee  with  their  faces  towards 
the  earth,  and  lick  up  the  dust  of  thy  feet; 

21  And  thou  shalt  know  that  I  am  the  Lord :  for  they  shall 
not  be  ashamed  that  wait  for  me. 

22  HAnd  now  I,  Jacob,  would  speak  somewhat  concernincr 
these  words:  For  behold,  the  Lord  has  shewn  me  that  those 
who  were  at  Jerusalem,  from  whence  we  came,  have  been 
slain  and  carried  away  captive; 

23  Nevertheless,  the  Lord  has  shewn  unto  me  that  they 
should  return  again. 

24  And  he  also  has  shewn  unto  me,  that  the  Lord  God,  the 
Holy  One  of  Israel,  should  manifest  himself  unto  them  in  the 
flesh; 

25  And  after  he  should  manifest  himself,  they  should 
scourge  him  and  crucify  him,  according  to  the  words  of  the 
angel,  who  spake  it  unto  me. 

26  And  after  they  have  hardened  their  hearts  and  stiffened 
their  necks  against  the  Holy  One  of  Israel,  behold  the  judg- 
ments of  the  Holy  One  of  Israel  shall  come  upon  them. 

27  And  the  day  cometh  that  they  shall  be  smitten  and 
afflicted. 

28  Wherefore,  after  they  are  driven  to  and  fro,  for  thus 

ilsaiah   49  :  22. 


100  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  5. 

saith  the  angel,  many  shall  be  afflicted  in  the  flesh  and  shall 
not  be  suffered  to  perish,  because  of  the  prayers  of  the  faith- 
ful, they  shall  be  scattered,  and  smitten,  and  hated; 

29  Nevertheless,  the  Lord  will  be  merciful  unto  them,  that 
when  they  shall  come  to  the  knowledge  of  their  Redeemer, 
they  shall  be  gathered  together  again  to  the  lands  of  their 
inheritance. 

30  ^And  blessed  are  the  Gentiles,  they  of  whom  the  prophet 
has  written: 

31  For  behold,  if  it  so  be  that  they  shall  repent  and  fight 
not  against  Zion,  and  do  not  unite  themselves  to  that  great 
and  abominable  church,  they  shall  be  saved: 

32  For  the  Lord  God  will  fulfill  his  covenants  which  he  has 
made  unto  his  children:  and  for  this  cause  the  prophet  has 
written  these  things. 

33  Wherefore,  they  that  fight  against  Zion  and  the  cove- 
nant people  of  the  Lord,  shall  lick  up  the  dust  of  their  feet; 

34  And  the  people  of  the  Lord  shall  not  be  ashamed. 

35  For  the  people  of  the  Lord  are  they  who  wait  for  him: 
for  they  still  wait  for  the  coming  of  the  Messiah. 

36  And  behold,  according  to  the  words  of  the  prophet,  the 
Messiah  will  set  himself  again  the  second  time,  to  recover 
them; 

37  Wherefore,  he  will  manifest  himself  unto  them  in  power 
and  great  glory,  unto  the  destruction  of  their  enemies,  when 
that  day  cometh  when  they  shall  believe  in  him; 

38  And  none  will  he  destroy  that  believe  in  him. 

39  And  they  that  believe  not  in  him,  shall  be  destroyed, 
both  by  fire,  and  by  tempest,  and  by  earthquakes,  and  by 
bloodsheds,  and  by  pestilence,  and  by  famine. 

40  And  they  shall  know  that  the  Lord  is  God,  the  Holy 
One  of  Israel: 

41  'For  shall  the  prey  be  taken  from  the  mighty,  or  the 
lawful  captive  delivered? 

42  But  thus  saith  the  Lord;   Even    the    captives    of    the 

-Isaiah  49:24-26. 


CHAP.  5.]  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  101 

mighty  shall  be  taken  away,  and  the  prey  of  the  terrible  shall 
be  delivered:  for  the  mighty  God  shall  deliver  his  covenant 
people. 

43  For  thus  saith  the  Lord:  I  will  contend  with  them  that 
contendeth  with  thee,  and  I  will  feed  them  that  oppress  thee, 
with  their  own  flesh; 

44  And  they  shall  be  drunken  with  their  own  blood,  as  with 
sweet  wine; 

45  And  all  flesh  shall  know  that  I  the  Lord  am  thy  Savior 
and  thy  Redeemer,  the  mighty  One  of  Jacob. 

46  'Yea,  for  thus  saith  the  Lord:  Have  T  put  thee  away,  '-r 
have  I  cast  thee  off  for  ever? 

47  For  thus  saith  the  Lord:  Where  is  the  bill  of  your 
mother's  divorcement? 

48  To  whom  have  I  put  thee  away,  or  to  which  of  my  credit- 
ors have  I  sold  you? 

49  Yea,  to  whom  have  I  sold  you? 

50  Behold,  for  your  iniquities  have  ye  sold  yourselves,  and 
for  your  transgressions  is  your  mother  put  away; 

51  Wherefore,  when  I  came,  there  was  no  man;  when  I 
called,  yea,  there  was  none  to  answer. 

52  ^0,  House  of  Israel,  is  my  hand  shortened  at  all  that  it 
can  not  redeem,  or  have  I  no  power  to  deliver? 

53  Behold,  at  my  rebuke,  I  dry  up  the  sea,  I  make  their 
rivers  a  wilderness  and  their  fish  to  stink,  because  the  waters 
are  dried  up;  and  they  die  because  of  thirst. 

54  I  clothe  the  heavens  with  blackness,  and  I  make  sack- 
cloth their  covering. 

55  The  Lord  God  hath  given  me  the  tongue  of  the  learned, 
that  I  should  know  how  to  speak  a  word  in  season  unto  thee, 
0  house  of  Israel. 

56  When  ye  are  weary,  he  waketh  morning  by  morning. 

57  He  waketh  mine  ear  to  hear  as  the  learned. 

58  The  Lord  God  hath  appointed  mine  ear,  and  I  was  not 
rebellious,  neither  turned  away  back. 

^Isaiah   50. 


102  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  5. 

59  I  gave  my  back  to  the  smiter,  and  my  cheeks  to  them 
that  plucked  off  the  hair. 

60  I  hid  not  my  face  from  shame  and  spitting,  for  the  Lord 
God  will  help  me:    therefore  shall  I  not  be  confounded. 

61  Therefore  have  I  set  my  face  like  a  flint,  and  I  know 
that  I  shall  not  be  ashamed;  and  the  Lord  is  near,  and  he 
justifieth  me. 

62  Who  will  contend  with  me? 

63  Let  us  stand  together. 

64  Who  is  mine  adversary? 

65  Let  him  come  near  me,  and  I  will  smite  him  with  the 
strength  of  my  mouth:  for  the  Lord  God  will  help  me. 

66  And  all  they  who  shall  condemn  me,  behold,  all  they 
shall  wax  old  as  a  garment,  and  the  moth  shall  eat  them  up. 

67  llWho  is  among  you  that  feareth  the  Lord;  that  obeyeth 
the  voice  of  his  servant;  that  walketh  in  darkness,  and  hath 
no  light? 

68  Behold,  all  ye  that  kindle  fire,  that  compass  yourselves 
about  with  sparks,  walk  in  the  light  of  your  fire,  and  in  the 
sparks  which  ye  have  kindled. 

69  This  shall  ye  have  of  mine  hand:  Ye  shall  lie  down  in 
sorrow. 

70  "Hearken  unto  me,  ye  that  follow  after  righteousness: 
Look  unto  the  rock  from  whence  ye  are  hewn,  and  to  the 
ho^e  of  the  pit  from  whence  ye  are  digged. 

71  Look  unto  Abraham,  your  father,  and  unto  Sarah,  she 
that  bare  you:  for  I  called  him  alone,  and  blessed  him. 

72  For  the  Lord  shall  comfort  Zion :  he  will  comfort  all  her 
waste  places; 

73  And  he  will  make  her  wilderness  like  Eden,  and  her 
desert  like  the  garden  of  the  Lord. 

74  Joy  and  gladness  shall  be  found  therein,  thanksgiving 
and  the  voice  of  melody. 

75  Hearken  unto  me,  my  people;  and  give  ear  unto  me, 
O  my  nation: 

^Isaiah   51. 


CHAP.  5.]  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  103 

76  For  a  law  shall  proceed  from  me,  and  I  will  make  my 
judgment  to  rest  for  a  light  for  the  people. 

77  My  righteousness  is  near;  my  salvation  is  gone  forth, 
and  mine  arm  shall  judge  the  people. 

78  The  isles  shall  wait  upon  me,  and  on  mine  arm  shall 
they  trust. 

79  Lift  up  your  eyes  to  the  heavens,  and  look  upon  the 
earth  beneath: 

80  For  the  heavens  shall  vanish  away  like  smoke,  and  the 
earth  shall  wax  old  like  a  garment;  and  they  that  dwell 
therein,  shall  die  in  like  manner. 

81  But  my  salvation  shall  be  for  ever;  and  my  righteous- 
ness shall  not  be  abolished. 

82  ^Hearken  unto  me,  ye  that  know  righteousness,  the  peo- 
ple in  whose  heart  I  have  written  my  law; 

83  Fear  ye  not  the  reproach  of  men;  neither  be  ye  afraid 
of  their  revilings; 

84  For  the  moth  shall  eat  them  up  like  a  garment,  and  the 
worm  shall  eat  them  like  wool. 

85  But  my  righteousness  shall  be  for  ever;  and  my  salva- 
tion from  generation  to  generation. 

86  ^Awake,  awake!  Put  on  strength  O  arm  of  the  Lord: 
awake  as  in  the  ancient  days. 

87  Art  thou  not  it  that  hath  cut  Rahab,  and  wounded  the 
dragon? 

88  Art  thou  not  it  which  hath  dried  the  sea,  the  waters  of 
the  great  deep; 

89  That  hath  made  the  depths  of  the  sea  a  way  for  the 
ransomed  to  pass  over? 

90  Therefore,  the  redeemed  of  the  Lord  shall  return,  and 
come  with  singing  unto  Zion;  and  everlasting  joy  and  holi- 
ness shall  be  upon  their  heads; 

91  And  they  shall  obtain  gladness  and  joy:  sorrow  and 
mourning  shall  flee  away. 

92  I  am  he;  yea,  I  am  he  that  comforteth  you: 

93  Behold,  who  art  thou,  that  thou  shouldst  be  afraid  uf 


104  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHL  [chap.  5. 

man,  who  shall  die,  and  of  the  son  of  man,  who  shall  be  made 
".ike  unto  grass; 

94  And  forgettest  the  Lord  thy  maker,  that  hath  stretched 
forth  the  heavens,  and  laid  the  foundations  of  the  earth; 

95  And  hast  feared  continually  every  day,  because  of  the 
fury  of  the  oppressor,  as  if  he  were  ready  to  destroy? 

96  And  where  is  the  fury  of  the  oppressor? 

97  The  captive  exile  hasteneth,  that  he  may  be  loosed,  and 
that  he  should  not  die  in  the  pit,  nor  that  his  bread  should 
fail. 

98  But  I  am  the  Lord  thy  God,  whose  waves  roared:  the 
Lord  of  hosts  is  my  name. 

99  And  I  have  put  my  words  in  thy  mouth,  and  have 
covered  thee  in  the  shadow  of  mine  hand,  that  I  may  plant 
the  heavens  and  lay  the  foundations  of  the  earth,  and  say 
unto  Zion,  Behold,  thou  art  my  people. 

100  Awake,  awake,  stand  up,  O  Jerusalem,  which  hast 
irunk  at  the  hand  of  the  Lord  the  cup  of  his  fury; 

101  Thou  hast  drunken  the  dregs  of  the  cup  of  trembling 
wrung  out; 

102  And  none  to  guide  her  among  all  the  sons  she  hath 
brought  forth; 

103  Neither  that  taketh  her  by  the  hand,  of  all  the  sons 
she  hath  brought  up. 

104  These  two  sons  are  come  unto  thee;  who  shall  be  sorry 
for  thee:  thy  desolation  and  destruction,  and  the  famine  and 
the  sword: 

105  And  by  whom  shall  I  comfort  thee? 

106  Thy  sons  have  fainted,  save  these  two:  they  lie  at  the 
lead  of  all  the  streets,  as  a  wild  bull  in  a  net:  they  are  full 
Df  the  fury  of  the  Lord,  the  rebuke  of  thy  God. 

107  TJTherefore,  hear  now  this,  thou  afflicted,  and  drunken, 
and  not  with  wine: 

108  Thus  saith  thy  Lord,  The  Lord  and  thy  God  pleadeth 
the  cause  of  his  people: 

109  Behold,  I  have  taken  out  of  thine  hand  the  cup  of  trem- 


CHAP.  6.]  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  105 

bling,  the  dregs  of  the  cup  of  my  fury;    thou  shalt  no  more 
drink  it  again. 

110  But  I  will  put  it  into  the  hand  of  them  that  afflict  thee; 
who  have  said  to  thy  soul,  Bow  down  that  we  may  go  over: 

111  And  thou  hast  laid  thy  body  as  the  ground,  and  as  the 
street  to  them  that  went  over. 

112  TJAwake,  awake,  put  on  thy  strength,  0  Zion;  put  on 
thy  beautiful  garments,  0  Jerusalem,  the  holy  city: 

113  For  henceforth  there  shall  no  more  come  into  thee,  the 
uncircumcised  and  the  unclean. 

114  Shake  thyself  from  the  dust;  arise,  sit  down,  O  Jeru- 
salem: loose  thyself  from  the  bands  of  thy  neck,  O  captive 
daughter  of  Zion. 


CHAPTER  6. 

1  ^And  now,  my  beloved  brethren,  I  have  read  these  things 
that  ye  might  know  concerning  the  covenants  of  the  Lord; 
that  he  has  covenanted  with  all  the  house  of  Israel; 

2  That  he  has  spoken  unto  the  Jews,  by  the  mouth  of  his 
holy  prophets,  even  from  the  beginning  down,  from  genera- 
tion to  generation,  until  the  time  comes  that  they  shall  be 
restored  to  the  true  church  and  fold  of  God; 

3  When  they  shall  be  gathered  home  to  the  lands  of  their 
inheritance,  and  shall  be  established  in  all  their  lands  of 
promise. 

4  TJBehold,  my  beloved  brethren,  I  speak  unto  you  these 
things  that  ye  may  rejoice,  and  lift  up  your  heads  for  ever, 
because  of  the  blessings  which  the  Lord  God  shall  bestow 
upon  your  children. 

5  For  I  know  that  ye  have  searched  much,  many  of  you,  to 
know  of  things  to  come; 

6  Wherefore  I  know  that  ye  know  that  our  flesh  must 
waste  away  and  die; 

7  Nevertheless,  in  our  bodies  we  shall  see  God. 

8  Yea,  I  know  that  ye  know,  that  in  the  body  he  shall 
shew  himself  unto  those  at  Jerusalem,  from  whence  we  came; 


106  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  6. 

9  For  it  is  expedient  that  it  should  be  among  them; 

10  For  it  behooveth  the  great  Creator  that  he  suffereth 
himself  to  become  subject  unto  man  in  the  flesh,  and  die  for 
all  men,  that  all  men  might  become  subject  unto  him. 

11  For  as  death  hath  passed  upon  all  men,  to  fulfill  the 
merciful  plan  of  the  great  Creator,  there  must  needs  be  a 
power  of  resurrection, 

12  And  the  resurrection  must  needs  come  unto  man  by- 
reason  of  the  fall; 

13  And  the  fall  came  by  reason  of  transgression; 

14  And  because  man  became  fallen,  they  were  cut  off  from 
the  presence  of  the  Lord; 

15  Wherefore,  it  must  needs  be  an  infinite  atonement; 

16  Save  it  should  be  an  infinite  atonement,  this  corruption 
could  not  put  on  incorruption. 

17  Wherefore,  the  first  judgment  which  came  upon  man, 
must  needs  have  remained  to  an  endless  duration. 

18  And  if  so,  this  flesh  must  have  laid  down  to  rot  and  to 
crumble  to  its  mother  earth,  to  rise  no  more. 

19  TJO  the  wisdom  of  God!  his  mercy  and  grace! 

20  For  behold,  if  the  flesh  should  rise  no  more,  our  spirits 
must  become  subject  to  that  angel  who  fell  from  before  the 
presence  of  the  eternal  God,  and  became  the  devil,  to  rise  no 
more. 

21  And  our  spirits  must  have  become  like  unto  him,  and  we 
become  devils,  angels  to  a  devil,  to  be  shut  out  from  the  pres- 
ence of  our  God,  and  to  remain  with  the  father  of  lies,  in 
misery,  like  unto  himself; 

22  Yea,  to  that  being  who  beguiled  our  first  parents; 

23  Who  transformeth  himself  nigh  unto  an  angel  of  light, 
and  stirreth  up  the  children  of  men  unto  secret  combinations 
of  murder,  and  all  manner  of  secret  works  of  darkness. 

24  ^O  how  great  the  goodness  of  our  God,  who  prepareth 
a  way  for  our  escape  from  the  grasp  of  this  awful  monster; 

25  Yea,  that  monster,  death  and  hell,  which  I  call  the 
death  of  the  body,  and  also  the  death  of  the  spirit. 

26  And  because  of  the  way  of  deliverance  of  our  God,  the 


CHAP.  6.]  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  107 

Holy  One  of  Israel,  this  death,  of  which  I  have  spoken,  which 
is  the  temporal,  shall  deliver  up  its  dead,  which  death  is  the 
grave. 

27  And  this  death  of  which  I  have  spoken,  which  is  the 
spiritual  death,  shall  deliver  up  its  dead;  which  spiritual 
death  is  hell; 

28  Wherefore,  death  and  hell  must  deliver  up  their  dead, 
and  hell  must  deliver  up  its  captive  spirits, 

29  And  the  grave  must  deliver  up  its  captive  bodies,  and 
the  bodies  and  the  spirits  of  men  will  be  restored,  one  to  the 
other ; 

30  And  it  is  by  the  power  of  the  resurrection  of  the  Holy 
One  of  Israel. 

31  ^O  how  great  the  plan  of  our  God!  For  on  the  other 
hand,  the  paradise  of  God  must  deliver  up  the  spirits  of  the 
righteous,  and  the  grave  deliver  up  the  body  of  the  righteous; 

32  And  the  spirit  and  the  body  is  restored  to  itself  again, 
and  all  men  become  incorruptible,  and  immortal,  and  they  are 
living  souls,  having  a  perfect  knowledge  like  unto  us,  in  the 
flesh; 

33  Save  it  be  that  our  knowledge  shall  be  perfect; 

34  Wherefore,  we  shall  have  a  perfect  knowledge  of  all 
our  guilt,  and  our  uncleanness,  and  our  nakedness; 

35  And  the  righteous  shall  have  a  perfect  knowledge  of 
their  enjoyment,  and  their  righteousness,  being  clothed  with 
purity,  yea,  even  with  the  robe  of  righteousness. 

36  ^And  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  when  all  men  shall 
have  passed  from  this  first  death  unto  life,  insomuch  as  they 
have  become  immortal,  they  must  appear  before  the  judg- 
ment seat  of  the  Holy  One  of  Israel; 

37  And  then  cometh  the  judgment;  and  then  must  they  be 
judged  according  to  the  holy  judgment  of  God. 

38  And  assuredly,  as  the  Lord  liveth,  for  the  Lord  God 
hath  spoken  it,  and  it  is  his  eternal  word,  which  can  not  pass 
away,  that  they  who  are  righteous  shall  be  righteous  still, 
and  they  who  are  filthy  shall  be  filthy  still; 


108  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  6. 

39  Wherefore,  they  who  are  filthy  are  the  devil  and  his 
angels ; 

40  And  they  shall  go  away  into  everlasting  fire,  prepared 
for  them;  and  their  torment  is  as  a  lake  of  fire  and  brim- 
stone, whose  flames  ascendeth  up  for  ever  and  ever;  and  has 
no  end. 

41  ^0  the  greatness  and  the  justice  of  our  God!  For  he 
executeth  all  his  words,  and  they  have  gone  forth  out  of  his 
mouth,  and  his  law  must  be  fulfilled. 

42  But,  behold,  the  righteous,  the  saints  of  the  Holy  One 
of  Israel,  they  who  have  believed  in  the  Holy  One  of  Israel; 
they  who  have  endured  the  crosses  of  the  world,  and  despised 
the  shame  of  it;  they  shall  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God,  which 
was  prepared  for  them  from  the  foundation  of  the  world: 
and  their  joy  shall  be  full  for  ever. 

43  ^0  the  greatness  of  the  mercy  of  our  God,  the  Holy  One 
of  Israel!  For  he  delivereth  his  saints  from  that  awful 
monster  the  devil,  and  death,  and  hell,  and  that  lake  of  fire 
and  brimstone,  which  is  endless  torment. 

44  ^Oh  how  great  the  holiness  of  our  God!  For  he  know- 
eth  all  things,  and  there  is  not  anything  save  he  knows  it. 

45  And  he  cometh  into  the  world  that  he  may  save  all  men, 
if  they  will  hearken  unto  his  voice; 

46  For  behold,  he  suffereth  the  pains  of  all  men:  yea,  the 
pains  of  eveiy  living  creature,  both  men,  women  and  children, 
who  belong  to  the  family  of  Adam. 

47  And  he  suffereth  this,  that  the  resurrection  might  pass 
upon  all  men,  that  all  might  stand  before  him  at  the  great 
and  judgment  day. 

48  And  he  commandeth  all  men  that  they  must  repent,  and 
be  baptized  in  his  name,  having  perfect  faith  in  the  Holy 
One  of  Israel,  or  they  can  not  be  saved  in  the  kingdom  of 
God. 

49  And  if  they  will  not  repent  and  believe  in  his  name,  and 
be  baptized  in  his  name,  and  endure  to  the  end,  they  must  be 
damned ; 


CHAP.  6.]  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  109 

50  For  the  Lord  God,  the  Holy  One  of  Israel,  hath  spoken 
it; 

51  Wherefore  he  hath  given  a  law;  and  where  there  is  no 
law  given  there  is  no  punishment; 

52  And  where  there  is  no  punishment,  there  is  no  condem- 
nation; 

53  And  where  there  is  no  condemnation,  the  mercies  of  the 
Holy  One  of  Israel  have  claim  upon  them,  because  of  the 
atonement : 

54  For  they  are  delivered  by  the  power  of  him:  for  the 
atonement  satisfieth  the  demands  of  his  justice  upon  all  those 
who  have  not  the  law  given  to  them,  that  they  are  delivered 
from  that  awful  monster,  death  and  hell,  and  the  devil,  and 
the  lake  of  fire  and  brimstone,  which  is  endless  torment; 

55  And  they  are  restored  to  that  God  who  gave  them 
breath,  which  is  the  Holy  One  of  Israel. 

56  IJBut  wo  unto  him  that  has  the  law  given ;  yea,  that  has 
all  the  commandments  of  God,  like  unto  us,  and  that  trans- 
gresseth  them,  and  that  wasteth  the  days  of  his  probation; 
for  awful  is  his  state! 

57  ^0  that  cunning  plan  of  the  evil  one! 

58  0  the  vainness,  and  the  frailties,  and  the  foolishness  of 
men! 

59  When  they  are  learned,  they  think  they  are  wise,  and 
they  hearken  not  unto  the  counsel  of  God,  for  they  set  it 
aside,  supposing  they  know  of  themselves; 

60  Wherefore,  their  wisdom  is  foolishness,  and  it  profiteth 
them  not.     And  they  shall  perish. 

61  IJBut  to  be  learned  is  good,  if  they  hearken  unto  the 
counsels  of  God. 

62  But  wo  unto  the  rich,  who  are  rich  as  to  the  things  of 
the  world. 

63  For  because  they  are  rich,  they  despise  the  poor,  and 
they  persecute  the  meek,  and  theii  hearts  are  upon  their 
treasures:    wherefore  their  treasure  is  their  God. 

64  And  behold,  their  treasure  shall  perish  with  them  also. 


110  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  6. 

65  And  wo  unto  the  deaf,  that  will  not  hear:  for  they  shall 
perish. 

66  Wo  unto  the  blind,  that  will  not  see:  for  they  shall 
perish  also. 

67  Wo  unto  the  uncircumcised  of  heart:  for  a  knowledge  of 
their  iniquities  shall  smite  them  at  the  last  day. 

68  Wo  unto  the  liar :   for  he  shall  be  thrust  down  to  hell. 

69  Wo  unto  the  muiderer,  who  deliberately  killeth:  for  he 
shall  die. 

70  Wo  unto  them  who  commit  whoredoms:  for  they  shall 
be  thrust  down  to  hell. 

71  Yea,  wo  unto  those  that  worship  idols:  for  the  devil  of 
all  devils  delighteth  in  them. 

72  And,  in  fine,  wo  unto  all  those  who  die  in  their  sins: 
for  they  shall  return  to  God,  and  behold  his  face,  and  remain 
in  their  sins. 

73  T[0,  my  beloved  brethren,  remember  the  awfulness  in 
transgressing  against  that  Holy  God,  and  also  the  awfulness 
of  yielding  to  the  enticings  of  that  cunning  one. 

74  Remember,  to  be  carnally  minded,  is  death,  and  to  be 
spiritually  minded,  is  life  eternal. 

75  ^O,  my  beloved  brethren,  give  ear  to  my  words. 

76  Remember  the  greatness  of  the  Holy  One  of  Israel. 

77  Do  not  say  that  I  have  spoken  hard  things  against  you ; 
for  if  ye  do,  ye  will  revile  against  the  truth:  for  I  have 
spoken  the  words  of  your  Maker. 

78  I  know  that  the  words  of  truth  are  hard  against  all  un- 
cleanness;  but  the  righteous  fear  them  not,  for  they  love  the 
truth,  and  are  not  shaken. 

79  ^0  then,  my  beloved  brethren,  come  unto  the  Lord,  the 
Holy  One. 

80  Remember  that  his  paths  are  righteousness. 

81  Behold,  the  way  for  man  is  narrow,  but  it  lieth  in  a 
straight  course  before  him,  and  the  keeper  of  the  gate  is  the 
Holy  One  of  Israel:  and  he  employeth  no  servant  there; 

82  And  there  is  none  other  way,  save  it  be  by  the  gate,  for 
he  can  not  be  deceived;  for  the  Lord  God  is  his  name. 


CHAP.  6.]  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  Ill 

83  And  whoso  knocketh,  to  him,  will  he  open;  and  the  wise, 
and  the  learned,  and  they  that  are  rich,  who  are  puffed  up 
because  of  their  learning,  and  their  wisdom,  and  their  riches; 
yea,  they  are  they,  whom  he  despiseth; 

84  And  save  they  shall  cast  these  things  away,  and  con- 
sider themselves  fools  before  God,  and  come  down  in  the 
depths  of  humility,  he  will  not  open  unto  them. 

85  But  the  things  of  the  wise  and  the  prudent,  shall  be 
hid  from  them  for  ever;  yea,  that  happiness  which  is  pre- 
pared for  the  saints. 

86  O,  my  beloved  brethren,  remember  my  words:  Behold,  I 
take  off  my  garments  and  I  shake  them  before  you: 

87  I  pray  the  God  of  my  salvation  that  he  view  me  with 
his  all-searching  eye; 

88  Wherefore,  ye  shall  know  at  the  last  day,  when  all  men 
shall  be  judged  of  their  works,  that  the  God  of  Israel  did 
witness  that  I  shook  your  iniquities  from  my  soul,  and  that  I 
stand  with  brightness  before  him,  and  am  rid  of  your  blood. 

89  TJO,  my  beloved  brethren,  turn  away  from  your  sins; 
shake  off  the  chains  of  him  that  would  bind  you  fast; 

90  Come  unto  that  God  who  is  the  rock  of  your  salvation. 

91  Prepare  your  souls  for  that  glorious  day,  when  justice 
shaii  be  administered  unto  the  righteous;  even  the  day  of 
judgment,  that  ye  may  not  shrink  with  awful  fear; 

92  That  ye  may  not  remember  your  awful  guilt  in  perfect- 
ness,  and  be  constrained  to  exclaim.  Holy,  holy  are  thy  judg- 
ments, O  Lord  God  Almighty. 

93  But  I  know  my' guilt;  I  transgressed  thy  law,  and  my 
transgressions  are  mine;  and  the  devil  hath  obtained  me, 
that  I  am  a  prey  to  his  awful  misery. 

94  But  behold,  my  brethren,  is  it  expedient  that  I  should 
awake  you  to  an  awful  reality  of  these  things? 

95  Would  I  harrow  up  your  souls,  if  your  minds  were  pure? 

96  Would  I  be  plain  unto  you  according  to  the  plainness  of 
the  truth,  if  ye  were  freed  from  sin? 

97  Behold,  if  ye  were  holy,  I  would  speak  unto  you  of  holi- 
ness;  but  as  ye  are  not  holy,  and  ye  look  upon  me  as  a 


112  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [^HAP.  7. 

teacher,  it  must  needs  be  expedient  that  I  teach  you  the  con- 
sequences of  sin. 

98  Behold,  my  soul  abhorreth  sin,  and  my  heart  delighteth 
in  righteousness;  and  I  will  praise  the  holy  name  of  my  God. 

99  Come,  my  brethren,  every  one  that  thirsteth,  come  ye  to 
the  waters;  and  he  that  hath  no  money,  come  buy  and  eat; 
yea,  come  buy  wine  and  milk  without  money  and  without 
price. 

100  Wherefore,  do  not  spend  money  for  that  which  is  of 
no  worth,  nor  your  labor  for  that  which  can  not  satisfy. 

101  Hearken  diligently  unto  me,  and  remember  the  words 
which  I  have  spoken;  and  come  unto  the  Holy  One  of  Israel, 

102  And  feast  upon  that  which  perisheth  not,  neither  can 
be  corrupted,  and  let  your  soul  delight  in  fatness. 

103  Behold,  my  beloved  brethren,  remember  the  words  of 
your  God;  pray  unto  him  continually  by  day,  and  give  thanks 
unto  his  holy  name  by  night. 

104  Let  your  hearts  rejoice,  and  behold  how  great  the  cove- 
nants of  the  Lord,  and  how  great  his  condescensions  unto  the 
children  of  men; 

105  And  because  of  his  greatness,  and  his  grace  and  mercy, 
he  has  promised  unto  us  that  our  seed  shall  not  utterly  be 
destroyed,  according  to  the  flesh,  but  that  he  would  preserve 
them;  and  in  future  generations,  they  shall  become  a  right- 
eous branch  unto  the  house  of  Israel. 

106  ^And  now,  my  brethren,  I  would  speak  unto  you  more; 
but  on  the  morrow  I  will  declare  unto  you  the  remainder  of 
my  words.     Amen. 


CHAPTER  7. 

1  ^And  now  I,  Jacob,  speak  unto  you  again,  my  beloved 
brethren,  concerning  this  righteous  branch  of  which  I  have 
spoken. 

2  For  behold,  the  promises  which  we  have  obtained,  are 
promises  unto  us  according  to  the  flesh; 

3  Wherefore,  as  it  has  been  shown  unto  me  that  many  of 


CHAP.  7.]  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  113 

our  children   shall   perish   in  the  flesh,  because  of  unbelief, 
nevertheless  God  will  be  merciful  unto  many; 

4  And  our  children  shall  be  restored,  that  they  may  come 
to  that  which  will  give  them  the  true  knowledge  of  their  Re- 
deemer. 

5  Wherefore,  as  I  said  unto  you,  it  must  needs  be  expedient 
that  Christ  (for  in  the  last  night  the  angel  spake  unto  me 
that  this  should  be  his  name)  should  come  among  the  Jews, 
among  those  who  are  the  more  wicked  part  of  the  world; 

6  And  they  shall  crucify  him:  For  thus  it  behooveth  our 
God; 

7  And  there  is  none  other  nation  on  earth  that  would  cru- 
cify their  God. 

8  For  should  the  mighty  miracles  be  wrought  among  other 
nations,  they  would  repent,  and  know  that  he  be  their  God; 

9  But  because  of  priestcrafts  and  iniquities,  they  at  Jerusa- 
lem will  stiffen  their  necks  against  him,  that  he  be  crucified. 

10  Wherefore,  because  of  their  iniquities,  destructions, 
famines,  pestilence  and  bloodsheds,  shall  come  upon  them; 

11  And  they  who  shall  not  be  destroyed,  shall  be  scattered 
among  all  nations. 

12  ^But  behold,  thus  saith  the  Lord  God:  When  the  day 
Cometh  that  they  shall  believe  in  me,  that  I  am  Christ,  then 
have  I  covenanted  with  their  fathers  that  they  shall  be  re- 
stored in  the  flesh,  upon  the  earth,  unto  the  lands  of  their 
inheritance. 

13  And  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  they  shall  be  gathered 
in  from  their  long  dispersion  from  the  isles  of  the  sea,  and 
from  the  four  parts  of  the  earth; 

14  And  the  nations  of  the  Gentiles  shall  be  great  in  the 
eyes  of  me,  saith  God,  in  carrying  them  forth  to  the  lands  of 
their  inheritance. 

15  Yea,  the  kings  of  the  Gentiles  shall  be  nursing  fathers 
unto  them,  and  their  queens  shall  become  nursing  mothers; 

16  Wherefore  the  promises  of  the  Lord  are  great  unto  the 
Gentiles,  for  he  hath  spoken  it,  and  who  can  dispute? 

17  But  behold,  this  land,  saith  God,  shall  be  a  land  of  thine 


114  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  7. 

inheritance;    and  the  Gentiles  shall  be  blessed  upon  the  land. 

18  And  this  land  shall  be  a  land  of  liberty  unto  the  Gen- 
tiles: and  there  shall  be  no  kings  upon  the  land,  who  shall 
raise  up  unto  the  Gentiles. 

19  And  I  will  fortify  this  land  against  all  other  nations; 

20  And  he  that  fighteth  against  Zion,  shall  perish,  saith 
God;    for  he  that  raiseth  up  a  king  against  me,  shall  perish. 

21  For  I  the  Lord,  the  King  of  heaven,  will  be  their  king; 
and  I  will  be  a  light  unto  them  for  ever,  that  hear  my  words. 

22  Wherefore,  for  this  cause,  that  my  covenants  may  be 
fulfilled,  w^hich  I  have  made  unto  the  children  of  men,  that  I 
will  do  unto  them  while  they  are  in  the  flesh,  I  must  needs 
destroy  the  secret  works  of  darkness,  and  of  murders,  and  of 
abominations; 

23  Wherefore,  he  that  fighteth  against  Zion,  both  Jew  and 
Gentile,  both  bond  and  free,  both  male  and  female,  shall 
perish : 

24  For  they  are  they  who  are  the  whore  of  all  the  earth; 

25  For  they  who  are  not  for  me,  are  against  me,  saith  our 
God. 

26  For  I  will  fulfill  my  promises  which  I  have  made  unto 
the  children  of  men,  that  I  will  do  unto  them  while  they  are 
in  the  flesh. 

27  Wherefore,  my  beloved  brethren,  thus  saith  our  God: 
I  will  afflict  thy  seed  by  the  hand  of  the  Gentiles; 

28  Nevertheless,  I  will  soften  the  hearts  of  the  Gentiles, 
that  they  shall  be  like  unto  a  father  to  them; 

29  Wherefore,  the  Gentiles  shall  be  blessed  and  numbered 
among  the  house  of  Israel. 

30  Wherefore,  I  will  consecrate  this  land  unto  thy  seed, 
and  they  who  shall  be  numbered  among  thy  seed,  for  ever, 
for  the  land  of  their  inheritance: 

31  For  it  is  a  choice  land,  saith  God  unto  me,  above  all 
other  lands; 

32  Wherefore,  I  will  have  all  men  that  dwell  thereon,  that 
they  shall  worship  me,  saith  God. 

33  ^And  now,  my  beloved  brethren,  seeing  that  our  merci- 


CHAP.  8.]  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  U5 

ful  God  has  given  us  so  great  knowledge  concerning  these 
things,  let  us  remember  him,  and  lay  aside  our  sins,  and  not 
hang  down  our  heads,  for  we  are  not  cast  off; 

34  Nevertheless,  we  have  been  driven  out  of  the  land  of 
our  inheritance;    but  we  have  been  led  to  a  better  land: 

35  For  the  Lord  has  made  the  sea  our  path,  and  we  are 
upon  an  isle  of  the  sea. 

36  But  great  are  the  promises  of  the  Lord  unto  those  who 
are  upon  the  isles  of  the  sea; 

37  Wherefore,  as  it  says  isles,  there  must  needs  be  more 
than  this;    and  they  are  inhabited  also  by  our  brethren. 

38  For  behold,  the  Lord  God  has  led  away  from  time  to 
time  from  the  house  of  Israel,  according  to  his  will  and  pleas- 
ure. 

39  And  now,  behold,  the  Lord  remembereth  all  those  who 
have  been  broken  off;    wherefore,  he  remembereth  us  also. 

40  Therefore  cheer  up  your  hearts,  and  remember  that  ye 
are  free  to  act  for  yourselves;  to  choose  the  way  of  everlast- 
ing death,  or  the  way  of  eternal  life. 

41  Wherefore,  my  beloved  brethren,  reconcile  yourselves  to 
the  will  of  God,  and  not  to  the  will  of  the  devil  and  the  flesh; 

42  And  remember  after  ye  are  reconciled  unto  God,  that  it 
is  only  in  and  through  the  grace  of  God  that  ye  are  saved. 

43  Wherefore,  may  God  raise  you  from  death,  by  the  power 
of  the  resurrection,  and  also  from  everlasting  death,  by  the 
power  of  the  atonement, 

44  That  ye  may  be  received  into  the  eternal  kingdom  of 
God,  that  ye  may  praise  him  through  grace  divine.     Amen. 


CHAPTER    8. 

1  ^And  now  Jacob  spake  many  more  things  to  my  people  at 
that  time;  nevertheless,  only  these  things  have  I  caused  to  be 
written;    for  the  things  which  I  have  written  sufRceth  me. 

2  ^And  now  I,  Nephi,  write  more  of  the  words  of  Isaiah; 
for  my  soul  delighteth  in  his  words. 

3  For  I  will  liken  his  words  unto  my  people;    and  I  will 


116  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  8. 

send  them  forth  unto  all  my  children:    for  he  verily  saw  my 
Redeemer,  even  as  I  have  seen  him. 

4  And  my  brother  Jacob  also,  has  seen  him  as  I  have  seen 
him;  wherefore,  I  will  send  their  words  forth  unto  my  chil- 
dren, to  prove  unto  them  that  my  words  are  true. 

5  Wherefore,  by  the  words  of  three,  God  hath  said,  I  will 
establish  my  word. 

6  Nevertheless,  God  sendeth  more  witnesses;  and  he  prov- 
eth  all  his  words. 

7  Behold,  my  soul  delighteth  in  proving  unto  my  people 
the  truth  of  the  coming  of  Christ: 

8  For,  for  this  end  hath  the  law  of  Moses  been  given: 

9  And  all  things  which  have  been  given  of  God  from  the 
beginning  of  the  world,  unto  man,  are  the  typifying  of  him. 

10  And  also,  my  soul  delighteth  in  the  covenants  of  the 
Lord  which  he  hath  made  to  our  fathers; 

11  Yea,  my  soul  delighteth  in  his  grace,  and  his  justice, 
and  power,  and  mercy,  in  the  great  and  eternal  plan  of  de- 
liverance from  death. 

12  And  my  soul  delighteth  in  proving  unto  my  people,  that 
save  Christ  should  come,  all  men  must  perish. 

13  For  if  there  be  no  Christ,  there  be  no  God;  and  if  there 
be  no  God,  we  are  not,  for  there  could  have  been  no  creation. 

14  But  there  is  a  God,  and  he  is  Christ;  and  he  cometh  in 
the  fullness  of  his  own  time. 

15  TfAnd  now  I  write  some  of  the  words  of  Isaiah,  that 
whoso  of  my  people  shall  see  these  words,  may  lift  up  their 
hearts  and  rejoice  for  all  men. 

16  Now,  these  are  the  words;  and  ye  may  liken  them  unto 
you,  and  unto  all  men. 

17  ^'The  word  that  Isaiah,  the  son  of  Amoz,  saw,  concern- 
ing Judah  and  Jerusalem: 

18  And  it  shall  come  to  pass  in  the  last  days,  when  the 
mountain  of  the  Lord's  house  shall  be  established  in  the  top 
of  the  mountains,  and  shall  be  exalted  above  the  hills,  and  all 
nations  shall  flow  unto  it, 

'Isaiah    3 


CHAP.  8.]  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  117 

19  And  many  people  shall  go  and  say,  Come  ye,  and  let  us 
go  up  to  the  mountain  of  the  Lord,  to  the  house  of  the  God 
of  Jacob;  and  he  will  teach  us  of  his  ways,  and  we  will  walk 
in  his  paths:  for  out  of  Zion  shall  go  forth  the  law,  and  the 
word  of  the  Lord  from  Jerusalem. 

20  And  he  shall  judge  among  the  nations,  and  shall  rebuke 
many  people;  and  they  shall  beat  their  swords  into  plow 
shares,  and  their  spears  into  pruning  hooks;  nation  shall  not 
lift  up  sword  against  nation,  neither  shall  they  learn  war  any 
more. 

21  0  house  of  Jacob,  come  ye  and  let  us  walk  in  the  light 
of  the  Lord;  yea  come,  for  ye  have  all  gone  astray,  every 
one  to  his  wicked  ways. 

22  ^Therefore,  0  Lord,  thou  hast  forsaken  thy  people,  the 
house  of  Jacob,  because  they  be  replenished  from  the  cast, 
and  hearken  unto  soothsayers  like  the  Philistines,  and  they 
please  themselves  in  the  children  of  strangers. 

23  Their  land  also  is  full  of  silver  and  gold,  neither  is 
there  any  end  of  their  treasures;  their  land  is  also  full  of 
horses,  neither  is  there  any  end  of  their  chariots; 

24  Their  land  also  is  full  of  idols;  they  worship  the  work 
of  their  own  hands, — that  which  their  own  fingers  have  made : 

25  And  the  mean  man  boweth  not  down,  and  the  great  man 
humbleth  himself  not:    therefore  forgive  him  not. 

26  TJO  ye  wicked  ones,  enter  into  the  rock,  and  hide  thee  in 
the  dust,  for  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  the  glory  of  his  majesty 
shall  smite  thee. 

27  And  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  the  lofty  looks  of  man 
shall  be  humbled,  and  the  haughtiness  of  men  shall  be  bowed 
down,  and  the  Lord  alone  shall  be  exalted  in  that  day. 

28  For  the  day  of  the  Lord  of  hosts  soon  cometh  upon  all 
nations;  yea,  upon  every  one;  yea,  upon  the  proud  and  lofty, 
and  upon  every  one  who  is  lifted  up ;  and  he  shall  be  brought 
low; 

29  Yea,  and  the  day  of  the  Lord  shall  come  upon  all  the 
cedars  of  Lebanon,  for  they  are  high  and  lifted  up ;  and  upon 
all  the  oaks  of  Bashan, 


118  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  8. 

30  And  upon  all  the  high  mountains,  and  upon  all  the  hills, 
and  upon  all  the  nations  which  are  lifted  up, 

31  And  upon  every  people,  and  upon  every  high  tower,  and 
upon  every  fenced  wall, 

32  And  upon  all  the  ships  of  the  sea,  and  upon  all  the  ships 
of  Tarshish,  and  upon  all  pleasant  pictures. 

33  And  the  loftiness  of  man  shall  be  bowed  down,  and  the 
haughtiness  of  men  shall  be  made  low;  and  the  Lord  alone 
shall  be  exalted  in  that  day. 

34  And  the  idols  he  shall  utterly  abolish. 

35  And  they  shall  go  into  the  holes  of  the  rocks,  and  into 
the  caves  of  the  earth,  for  the  fear  of  the  Lord  shall  come 
upon  them:  and  the  glory  of  his  majesty  shall  smite  them, 
when  he  ariseth  to  shake  terribly  the  earth. 

36  In  that  day  a  man  shall  cast  his  idols  of  silver,  and  his 
idols  of  gold,  which  he  hath  made  for  himself  to  worship,  to 
the  moles  and  to  the  bats; 

37  To  go  into  the  clefts  of  the  rocks,  and  into  the  tops  of 
the  ragged  rocks,  for  the  fear  of  the  Lord  shall  come  upon 
them,  and  the  majesty  of  his  glory  shall  smite  them  when  he 
ariseth  to  to  shake  terribly  the  earth. 

38  Cease  ye  from  man,  whose  breath  is  in  his  nostrils;  for 
wherein  is  he  to  be  accounted  of? 

39  ^'For  behold,  the  Lord,  the  Lord  of  hosts,  doth  take 
away  from  Jerusalem  and  from  Judah  the  stay  and  the  staff, 
the  whole  staff  of  bread,  and  the  whole  stay  of  water, 

40  The  mighty  man,  and  the  man  of  war,  the  judge,  and 
the  prophet,  and  the  prudent,  and  the  ancient, 

41  The  captain  of  fifty,  and  the  honorable  man,  and  the 
counselor,  and  the  cunning  artificer,  and  the  eloquent  orator. 

42  And  I  will  give  children  unto  them  to  be  their  princes, 
and  babes  shall  rule  over  them. 

43  And  the  people  shall  be  oppressed,  every  one  by  another, 
and  every  one  by  his  neighbor:  the  child  shall  behave  him- 
self proudly  against  the  ancient,  and  the  base  against  the 
honorable. 

= Isaiah   :j. 


CHAP.  8.]  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHL  Wl 

44  When  a  man  shall  take  hold  of  his  brother  of  the  house 
of  his  father,  and  shall  say,  Thou  hast  clothing,  be  thou  our 
ruler,  and  let  not  this  ruin  come  under  thy  hand; 

45  In  that  day  shall  he  swear,  saying:  I  will  not  be  a 
healer;  for  in  my  house  there  is  neither  bread  nor  clothing: 
make  me  not  a  ruler  of  the  people. 

46  For  Jerusalem  is  ruined,  and  Judah  is  fallen:  because 
their  tongues  and  their  doings  have  been  against  the  Lord,  to 
provoke  the  eyes  of  his  glory. 

47  T[The  shew  of  their  countenance  doth  witness  against 
them,  and  doth  declare  their  sin  to  be  even  as  Sodom,  and 
they  can  not  hide  it.  Wo  unto  their  souls,  for  they  have  re- 
warded evil  unto  themselves. 

48  Say  unto  the  righteous,  that  it  is  well  with  them;  for 
they  shall  eat  the  fruit  of  their  doings. 

49  Wo  unto  the  wicked!  for  they  shall  perish:  for  the 
reward  of  their  hands  shall  be  upon  them. 

50  ^And  my  people,  children  are  their  oppressors,  and 
women  rule  over  them.  0  my  people,  they  who  lead  thee 
cause  thee  to  err,  and  destroy  the  way  of  thy  paths. 

51  The  Lord  standeth  up  to  plead,  and  standeth  to  judge 
the  people. 

52  The  Lord  will  enter  into  judgment  with  the  ancients  of 
his  people,  and  the  princes  thereof:  for  ye  have  eaten  up  the 
vineyard,  and  the  spoil  of  the  poor  in  your  houses. 

53  What  mean  ye?  Ye  beat  my  people  to  pieces,  and  grind 
the  faces  of  the  poor,  saith  the  Lord  God  of  hosts. 

54  ^Moreover  the  Lord  saith.  Because  the  daughters  of 
Zion  are  haughty,  and  walk  with  stretched  forth  necks  and 
wanton  eyes,  walking  and  mincing  as  they  go,  and  making  a 
tinkling  with  their  feet: 

55  Therefore  the  Lord  will  smite  with  a  scab  the  crown  of 
the  head  of  the  daughters  of  Zion,  and  the  Lord  will  discover 
their  secret  parts. 

56  In  that  day  the  Lord  will  take  away  the  bravery  of 
their  tinkling  ornaments,  and  cauls,  and  round  tires  like  the 
moon, 

57  The  chains  and  the  bracelets,  and  the  mufflers, 


12d  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  8. 

58  The  bonnets,  and  the  ornaments  of  the  legs,  and  the 
head-bands,  and  the  tablets,  and  the  ear-rings, 

59  The  rings,  and  nose- jewels, 

60  The  changeable  suits  of  apparel,  and  the  mantles,  and 
the  wimples,  and  the  crisping-pins, 

61  The  glasses,  and  the  fine  linen,  and  hoods,  and  the  veils. 

62  ^And  it  shall  come  to  pass,  instead  of  sweet  smell,  there 
shall  be  stink;  and  instead  of  a  girdle,  a  rent;  and  instead 
of  well  set  hair,  baldness;  and  instead  of  a  stomacher,  a 
girding  of  sackcloth;    burning  instead  of  beauty. 

63  Thy  men  shall  fall  by  the  sword,  and  thy  mighty  in  the 
war. 

64  And  her  gates  shall  lament  and  mourn;  and  she  shall 
be  desolate,  and  shall  sit  upon  the  ground. 

65  ^^And  in  that  day,  seven  women  shall  take  hold  of  one 
man,  saying,  We  will  eat  our  own  bread,  and  wear  our  own 
apparel:  only  let  us  be  called  by  thy  name,  to  take  away  our 
reproach. 

66  In  that  day  shall  the  branch  of  the  Lord  be  beautiful 
and  glorious;  the  fruit  of  the  earth  excellent  and  comely  to 
them  that  are  escaped  of  Israel. 

67  ^And  it  shall  come  to  pass,  them  that  are  left  in  Zion, 
and  remain  in  Jerusalem,  shall  be  called  holy,  every  one  that 
is  written  among  the  living  in  Jerusalem: 

68  When  the  Lord  shall  have  washed  away  the  filth  of  the 
daughters  of  Zion,  and  shall  have  purged  the  blood  of  Jeru- 
salem from  the  midst  thereof  by  the  spirit  of  judgment,  and 
by  the  spirit  of  burning. 

69  And  the  Lord  will  create  upon  every  dwelling  place  of 
Mount  Zion,  and  upon  her  assemblies,  a  cloud  and  smoke  by 
day,  and  the  shining  of  a  flaming  fire  by  night:  for  upon  all 
the  glory  of  Zion  shall  be  a  defense. 

70  And  there  shall  be  a  tabernacle  for  a  shadow  in  the 
daytime  from  the  heat,  and  for  a  place  of  refuge,  and  a 
covert  from  storm  and  from  rain. 

•'•Tsaiiih  4. 


CHAP.  8.]  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  121 

71  11* And  then  will  I  sing  to  my  well  beloved  a  song  of  my 
beloved  touching  his  vineyard.  My  well  beloved  hath  a  vine- 
yard in  a  very  fruitful  hill: 

72  And  he  fenced  it,  and  gathered  out  the  stones  thereof, 
and  planted  it  with  the  choicest  vine,  and  built  a  tower  in  the 
midst  of  it,  and  also  made  a  wine-press  therein:  and  he 
looked  that  it  should  bring  forth  grapes,  and  it  brought  forth 
wild  grapes. 

73  And  now,  0  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem,  and  men  of 
Judah,  judge,  I  pray  you,  betwixt  me  and  my  vineyard. 

74  What  could  have  been  done  more  to  my  vineyard,  that 
I  have  not  done  in  it?  Wherefore,  when  I  looked  that  it 
should  bring  forth  grapes,  it  brought  forth  wild  grapes. 

75  And  now  go  to;  I  will  tell  you  what  I  will  do  to  my 
vineyard:  I  will  take  away  the  hedge  thereof,  and  it  shall  be 
eaten  up ;  and  I  will  break  down  the  wall  thereof,  and  it  shall 
be  trodden  down: 

76  And  I  will  lay  it  waste;  it  shall  not  be  pruned  nor 
digged;  but  there  shall  come  up  briers  and  thorns:  I  will 
also  command  the  clouds  that  they  rain  no  rain  upon  it. 

77  For  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord  of  hosts  is  the  house  of 
Israel,  and  the  men  of  Judah  his  pleasant  plant:  and  he 
looked  for  judgment,  and  behold  oppression;  for  righteous- 
ness, but  behold  a  cry. 

78  IJWo  unto  them  that  join  house  to  house,  till  there  can 
be  no  place,  that  they  may  be  placed  alone  in  the  midst  of  the 
earth ! 

79  In  mine  ears,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts,  of  a  truth  many 
houses  shall  be  desolate,  and  great  and  fair  cities  without 
inhabitant. 

80  Yea,  ten  acres  of  vineyard  shall  yield  one  bath,  and  the 
seed  of  a  homer  shall  yield  an  ephah. 

81  1|Wo  unto  them  that  rise  up  early  in  the  morning,  that 
they  may  follow  strong  drink;  that  continue  until  night,  and 
wine  inflame  them! 

82  And  the  harp,  and  the  viol,  the  tabret  and  pipe,  and 

"Tsaiah  r.. 


122  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  8. 

wine  are  in  their  feasts;   but  they  regard  not  the  work  of  the 
Lord,  neither  consider  the  operation  of  his  hands. 

83  TJTherefore,  my  people  are  gone  into  captivity,  because 
they  have  no  knowledge:  and  their  honorable  men  are  fam- 
ished, and  their  multitude  dried  up  with  thirst. 

84  Therefore,  hell  hath  enlarged  herself,  and  opened  her 
mouth  without  measure:  and  their  glory,  and  their  multitude, 
and  their  pomp,  and  he  that  rejoiceth,  shall  descend  into  it. 

85  And  the  mean  man  shall  be  brought  down,  and  the 
mighty  man  shall  be  humbled,  and  the  eyes  of  the  lofty  shall 
be  humbled: 

86  But  the  Lord  of  hosts  shall  be  exalted  in  judgment,  and 
God  that  is  holy  shall  be  sanctified  in  righteousness. 

87  Then  shall  the  lambs  feed  after  their  manner,  and  the 
waste  places  of  the  fat  ones  shall  strangers  eat. 

88  Wo  unto  them  that  draw  iniquity  with  cords  of  vanity, 
and  sin  as  it  were  with  a  cart-rope; 

89  That  say.  Let  him  make  speed,  hasten  his  work,  that  we 
may  see  it:  and  let  the  counsel  of  the  Holy  One  of  Israel 
draw  nigh  and  come,  that  we  may  know  it. 

90  ^Wo  unto  them  that  call  evil  good,  and  good  evil;  that 
put  darkness  for  light,  and  light  for  darkness;  that  put  bit- 
ter for  sweet,  and  sweet  for  bitter! 

91  Wo  unto  the  wise  in  their  own  eyes,  and  prudent  in 
their  own  sight! 

92  Wo  unto  the  mighty  to  drink  wine,  and  men  of  strength 
to  mingle  strong  drink: 

93  Who  justify  the  wicked  for  reward,  and  take  away  the 
righteousness  of  the  righteous  from  him! 

94  Therefore,  as  the  fire  devoureth  the  stubble,  and  the 
flame  consumeth  the  chaff,  their  root  shall  be  rottenness,  and 
their  blossoms  shall  go  up  as  dust;  because  they  have  cast 
away  the  law  of  the  Lord  of  hosts,  and  despised  the  word 
of  the  Holy  One  of  Israel. 

95  Therefore,  is  the  anger  of  the  Lord  kindled  against  his 
people,  and  he  hath  stretched  forth  his  hand  against  them, 
and  hath  smitten  them:  and  the  hills  did  tremble,  and  their 
carcasses  were  torn  in  the  midst  of  the  streets.     For  all  this 


CHAP.   9.]  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  123 

his  anger  is  not  turned  away,  but  his  hand  stretched  out  still. 

96  ^And  he  will  lift  up  an  ensign  to  the  nations  from  far, 
and  will  hiss  unto  them  from  the  end  of  the  earth;  and  be- 
hold, they  shall  come  with  speed  swiftly: 

97  None  shall  be  weary  nor  stumble  among  them;  none 
shall  slumber  nor  sleep;  neither  shall  the  girdle  of  their  loins 
be  loosed,  nor  the  latchet  of  their  shoes  be  broken: 

98  Whose  arrows  shall  be  sharp,  and  all  their  bows  bent, 
and  their  horses'  hoofs  shall  be  counted  like  flint,  and  their 
wheels  like  a  whirlwind,  their  roaring  like  a  lion. 

99  They  shall  roar  like  young  lions:  yea,  they  shall  roar, 
and  lay  hold  of  the  prey,  and  shall  carry  away  safe,  and 
none  shall  deliver. 

100  And  in  that  day  they  shall  roar  against  them  like  the 
roaring  of  the  sea;  and  if  they  look  unto  the  land,  behold, 
darkness  and  sorrow,  and  the  light  is  darkened  in  the  heavens 
thereof. 


CHAPTER    9. 

1  ^^In  the  year  that  king  Uzziah  died,  I  saw  also  the  Lord 
sitting  upon  a  throne,  high  and  lifted  up,  and  his  train  filled 
the  temple. 

2  Above  it  stood  the  seraphims;  each  one  had  six  wings; 
with  twain  he  covered  his  face,  and  with  twain  he  covered 
his  feet,  and  with  twain  he  did  fly. 

3  And  one  cried  unto  another,  and  said,  Holy,  holy,  holy, 
is  the  Lord  of  hosts;    the  whole  earth  is  full  of  his  glory. 

4  And  the  posts  of  the  door  moved  at  the  voice  of  him  that 
cried,  and  the  house  was  filled  with  smoke. 

5  ^Then  said  I,  Wo  is  unto  me!  for  I  am  undone;  because 
I  am  a  man  of  unclean  lips,  and  I  dwell  in  the  midst  of  a 
people  of  unclean  lips;  for  mine  eyes  have  seen  the  King, 
the  Lord  of  hosts. 

6  Then  flew  one  of  the  seraphims  unto  me,  having  a  live 


Tsaiali   0. 


124  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  9. 

coal  in  his  hand,  which  he  had  taken  with  the  tongs  from  off 
the  altar : 

7  And  he  laid  it  upon  my  mouth,  and  said,  Lo,  this  has 
touched  thy  lips;  and  thine  iniquity  is  taken  away,  and  thy 
sin  purged. 

8  Also  I  heard  the  voice  of  the  Lord,  saying.  Whom  shall 
I  send,  and  who  will  go  for  us?  Then  I  said,  Here  am  I; 
send  me. 

9  TJAnd  he  said,  Go,  and  tell  this  people,  hear  ye  indeed, 
but  they  understood  not;  and  see  ye  indeed,  but  they  per- 
ceived not. 

10  Make  the  heart  of  this  people  fat,  and  make  their  ears 
heavy,  and  shut  their  eyes;  lest  they  see  with  their  eyes, 
and  hear  with  their  ears,  and  understand  with  their  heart, 
and  be  converted,  and  be  healed. 

11  Then  said  I,  Lord,  how  long?  And  he  said.  Until  the 
cities  be  wasted  without  inhabitant,  and  the  houses  without 
man,  and  the  land  be  utterly  desolate; 

12  And  the  Lord  have  removed  men  far  away,  for  there 
shall  be  a  great  forsaking  in  the  midst  of  the  land. 

13  ^But  yet  in  it  there  shall  be  a  tenth,  and  they  shall 
return,  and  shall  be  eaten:  as  a  teil-tree,  and  as  an  oak 
whose  substance  is  in  them,  when  they  cast  their  leaves:  so 
the  holy  seed  shall  be  the  substance  thereof. 

14  ^'And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  days  of  Ahaz  the  son  of 
Jotham,  the  son  of  Uzziah,  king  of  Judah,  that  Rezin,  king 
of  Syria,  and  Pekah,  the  son  of  Remaliah,  king  of  Israel, 
went  up  towards  Jerusalem  to  war  against  it,  but  could  not 
prevail  against  it. 

15  And  it  was  told  the  house  of  David,  saying,  Syria  is 
confederate  with  Ephraim.  And  his  heart  was  moved,  and 
the  heart  of  his  people,  as  the  trees  of  the  wood  are  moved 
with  the  wind. 

16  Then  said  the  Lord  unto  Isaiah,  Go  forth  now  to  meet 
Ahaz,  thou,  and  Shear-jashub  thy  son,  at  the  end  of  the  con- 
duit of  the  upper  pool  in  the  highway  of  the  fuller's  field; 

^Isaiah  7. 


CHAP.  9.]  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  125 

17  And  say  unto  him,  Take  heed,  and  be  quiet;  fear  not, 
neither  be  faint-hearted  for  the  two  tails  of  these  smoking 
fire-brands,  for  the  fierce  anger  of  Rezin  with  Syria,  and  the 
son  of  Remaliah. 

18  Because  Syria,  Ephraim,  and  the  son  of  Remaliah,  have 
taken  evil  counsel  against  thee,  saying, 

19  Let  us  go  up  against  Judah,  and  vex  it,  and  let  us  make 
a  breach  therein  for  us,  and  set  a  king  in  the  midst  of  it, 
yea,  the  son  of  Tabeal: 

20  Thus  saith  the  Lord  God,  it  shall  not  stand,  neither 
shall  it  come  to  pass. 

21  For  the  head  of  Syria,  is  Damascus;  and  the  head  of 
Damascus,  Rezin:  and  within  threescore  and  five  years  shall 
Ephraim  be  broken,  that  it  be  not  a  people. 

22  And  the  head  of  Ephraim  is  Samaria,  and  the  head  of 
Samaria  is  Remaliah's  son.  If  ye  will  not  believe,  surely  ye 
shall  not  be  established. 

23  IJMoreover,  the  Lord  spake  again  unto  Ahaz,  saying, 

24  Ask  thee  a  sign  of  the  Lord  thy  God;  ask  it  either  in 
the  depths,  or  in  the  heights  above. 

25  But  Ahaz  said,  I  will  not  ask,  neither  will  I  tempt  the 
Lord. 

26  And  he  said:  Hear  ye  now,  O  house  of  David;  is  it  a 
small  thing  for  you  to  weary  men,  but  will  ye  weary  my  God 
also? 

27  Therefore  the  Lord  himself  shall  give  you  a  sign:  Be- 
hold, a  virgin  shall  conceive,  and  shall  bear  a  son,  and  shall 
call  his  name  Immanuel. 

28  Butter  and  honey  shall  he  eat,  that  he  may  know  to  re- 
fuse the  evil,  and  to  choose  the  good. 

29  For  before  the  child  shall  know  to  refuse  the  evil  and 
choose  the  good,  the  land  that  thou  abhorrest  shall  be  for- 
saken of  both  her  kings. 

30  ^The  Lord  shall  bring  upon  thee,  and  upon  thy  people, 
and  upon  thy  father's  house,  days  that  have  not  come,  from 
the  day  that  Ephraim  departed  from  Judah,  the  king  of 
Assyria. 

31  And  it  shall   come  to  pass  in  that  day,  that  the  Lord 


126  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  9. 

shall  hiss  for  the  fly  that  is  in  the  uttermost  part  of  Egypt, 
and  for  the  bee  that  is  in  the  land  of  Assyria. 

32  And  they  shall  come,  and  shall  rest  all  of  them  in  the 
desolate  valleys,  and  in  the  holes  of  the  rocks,  and  upon  all 
tnorns,  and  upon  all  bushes. 

33  In  the  same  day  shall  the  Lord  shave  with  a  razor  that 
is  hired,  by  them  beyond  the  river,  by  the  king  of  Assyria, 
the  head,  and  the  hair  of  the  feet,  and  it  shall  also  consume 
the  beard. 

34  And  it  shall  come  to  pass  in  that  day,  a  man  shall 
nourish  a  young  cow,  and  two  sheep; 

35  And  it  shall  come  to  pass,  for  the  abundance  of  milk 
they  shall  give,  he  shall  eat  butter;  for  butter  and  honey 
shall  every  one  eat  that  is  left  in  the  land. 

36  And  it  shall  come  to  pass  in  that  day,  every  place  shall 
be,  where  there  were  a  thousand  vines  at  a  thousand  silver- 
lings,  which  shall  be  for  briers  and  thorns. 

37  With  arrows  and  with  bows  shall  men  come  thither; 
because  all  the  land  shall  become  briers  and  thorns. 

38  And  all  hills  that  shall  be  digged  with  the  mattock, 
there  shall  not  come  thither  the  fear  of  briers  and  thorns; 
but  it  shall  be  for  the  sending  forth  of  oxen,  and  the  tread- 
ing of  lesser  cattle. 

39  ^^Moreover,  the  word  of  the  Lord  said  unto  me.  Take 
thee  a  great  roll,  and  write  in  it  with  a  man's  pen  concern- 
ing Mahershalal-hash-baz. 

40  And  I  took  unto  me  faithful  witnesses  to  record,  Uriah 
the  priest,  and  Zechariah  the  son  of  Jeberechiah. 

41  And  I  went  unto  the  prophetess;  and  she  conceived  and 
bare  a  son.  Then  said  the  Lord  to  me.  Call  his  name  Maher- 
shalal-hash-baz. 

42  For  behold,  the  child  shall  not  have  knowledge  to  cry. 
My  father,  and  my  mother,  before  the  riches  of  Damascus 
and  the  spoil  of  Samaria  shall  be  taken  away  before  the  king 
of  Assyria. 

43  ^The  Lord  spake  also  unto  me  again,  saying, 

^Isaiah    8. 


CHAP.  9.]  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  127 

44  Forasmuch  as  this  people  refuseth  the  waters  of  Shiloah 
that  go  softly  and  rejoice  in  Rezin  and  Remaliah's  son; 

45  Now  therefore,  behold,  the  Lord  bringeth  up  upon  them 
the  waters  of  the  river,  strong  and  many,  even  the  king  of 
Assyria,  and  all  his  glory:  and  he  shall  come  up  over  all 
his  channels,  and  go  over  all  his  banks: 

46  And  he  shall  pass  through  Judah;  and  he  shall  over- 
flow and  go  over,  he  shall  reach  even  to  the  neck;  and  the 
stretching  out  of  his  wings  shall  fill  the  breadth  of  thy  land, 
O  Immanuel. 

47  TJAssociate  yourselves,  0  ye  people,  and  ye  shall  be 
broken  in  pieces;  and  give  ear  all  ye  of  far  countries:  gird 
yourselves,  and  ye  shall  be  broken  in  pieces;  gird  yourselves, 
and  ye  shall  be  broken  in  pieces. 

48  Take  counsel  together  and  it  shall  come  to  nought; 
speak  the  word,  and  it  shall  not  stand:    for  God  is  with  us. 

49  ^For  the  Lord  spake  thus  to  me  with  a  strong  hand, 
and  instructed  me  that  I  should  not  walk  in  the  way  of  this 
people,  saying, 

50  Say  ye  not,  a  confederacy,  to  all  to  whom  this  people 
shall  say,  a  confederacy;  neither  fear  ye  their  fear,  nor  be 
afraid. 

51  Sanctify  the  Lord  of  hosts  himself,  and  let  him  be  your 
fear,  and  let  him  be  your  dread. 

52  And  he  shall  be  for  a  sanctuary;  but  for  a  stone  of 
stumbling  and  for  a  rock  of  offense  to  both  the  houses  of 
Israel,  for  a  gin  and  a  snare  to  the  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem. 

53  And  many  among  them  shall  stumble,  and  fall,  and  be 
broken,  and  be  snared,  and  be  taken. 

54  Bind  up  the  testimony,  seal  the  law  among  my  disciples. 

55  And  I  will  wait  upon  the  Lord,  that  hideth  his  face 
from  the  house  of  Jacob,  and  I  will  look  for  him. 

56  Behold,  I  and  the  children  whom  the  Lord  hath  given 
me  are  for  signs  and  for  wonders  in  Israel  from  the  Lord  of 
hosts,  which  dwelleth  in  mount  Zion. 

57  ^And  when  they  shall  say  unto  you,  Seek  unto  them 
that  have  familiar  spirits,  and  unto  wizards  that  peep,  and 


128  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  9. 

mutter:    should  not  a  people  seek  unto  their  God?     for  the 
living  to  hear  from  the  dead? 

58  To  the  law  and  to  the  testimony:  and  if  they  speak 
not  according  to  this  word,  it  is  because  there  is  no  light  in 
them*. 

59  And  they  shall  pass  through  it  hardly  bestead  and 
hungry;  and  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  when  they  shall 
be  hungry,  they  shall  fret  themselves,  and  curse  their  king 
and  their  God,  and  look  upward. 

60  And  they  shall  look  unto  the  earth;  and  behold  trou- 
ble, and  darkness,  dimness  of  anguish,  and  shall  be  driven  to 
darkness. 

61  ^^Nevertheless  the  dimness  shall  not  be  such  as  was  in 
her  vexation,  when  at  the  first  he  lightly  afflicted  the  land  of 
Zebulun,  and  the  land  of  Naphtali,  and  afterward  did  more 
grievously  afflict  by  the  way  of  the  Red  Sea  beyond  Jordan 
in   Galilee  of  the  nations. 

62  The  people  that  walked  in  darkness  have  seen  a  great 
light:  they  that  dwell  in  the  land  of  the  shadow  of  death, 
upon  them  hath  the  light  shined. 

63  Thou  hast  multiplied  the  nation,  and  increased  the  joy: 
they  joy  before  thee  according  to  the  joy  in  harvest,  and  as 
men  rejoice  when  they  divide  the  spoil. 

64  For  thou  hast  broken  the  yoke  of  his  burden,  and  the 
staff  of  his  shoulder,  the  rod  of  his  oppressor. 

65  For  every  battle  of  the  warrior  with  confused  noise, 
and  garments  rolled  in  blood;  but  this  shall  be  with  burning 
and  fuel  of  fire. 

66  For  unto  us  a  child  is  born,  unto  us  a  son  is  given: 
and  the  government  shall  be  upon  his  shoulder:  and  his 
name  shall  be  called  Wonderful,  Counselor,  The  mighty  God, 
The  everlasting  Father,  The  Prince  of  Peace. 

67  Of  the  increase  of  government  and  peace  there  is  no 
end,  upon  the  throne  of  David,  and  upon  his  kingdom,  to  order 
it,  and  to  establish  it  with  judgment  and  with  justice  from 

<Isaiah  9. 


CHAP.  9.]  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  129 

henceforth  even  for  ever.     The  zeal  of  the  Lord  of  hosts  will 
perform  this. 

68  IJThe  Lord  sent  his  word  unto  Jacob  and  it  hath  lighted 
upon  Israel. 

69  And  all  the  people  shall  know,  even  Ephraim  and  the 
inhabitants  of  Samaria,  that  say  in  the  pride  and  stoutness 
of  heart, 

70  The  bricks  are  fallen  down,  but  we  will  build  with  hewn 
stones:  the  sycamores  are  cut  down,  but  we  will  change  them 
into  cedars. 

71  Therefore  the  Lord  shall  set  up  the  adversaries  of 
Rezin  against  him,  and  join  his  enemies  together; 

72  The  Syrians  before,  and  the  Philistines  behind:  and 
they  shall  devour  Israel  with  open  mouth.  For  all  this  his 
anger  is  not  turned  away,  but  his  hand  stretched  out  still. 

73  ^For  the  people  turneth  not  unto  him  that  smiteth 
them,  neither  do  they  seek  the  Lord  of  hosts. 

74  Therefore,  will  the  Lord  cut  off  from  Israel  head  and 
tail,  branch  and  rush  in  one  day. 

75  The  ancient,  he  is  the  head;  and  the  prophet  that  teach- 
eth  lies,  he  is  the  tail. 

76  For  the  leaders  of  this  people  cause  them  to  err;  and 
they  that  are  led  of  them  are  destroyed. 

77  Therefore  the  Lord  shall  have  no  joy  in  their  young 
men,  neither  shall  have  mercy  on  their  fatherless  and  wid- 
ows: for  every  one  of  them  is  a  hypocrite  and  an  evil  doer, 
and  every  mouth  speaketh  folly.  For  all  this  his  anger  is 
not  turned  away,  but  his  hand  stretched  out  still. 

78  TJFor  wickedness  burneth  as  the  fire;  it  shall  devour  the 
briers  and  thorns,  and  shall  kindle  in  the  thickets  of  the 
forests,  and  they  shall  mount  up  like  the  lifting  up  of  smoke. 

79  Through  the  wrath  of  the  Lord  of  hosts  is  the  land 
darkened,  and  the  people  shall  be  as  the  fuel  of  the  fire;  no 
man  shall  spare  his  brother. 

80  And  he  shall  snatch  on  the  right  hand,  and  be  hungry; 
and  he  shall  eat  on  the  left  hand,  and  they  shall  not  be  satis- 
fied;   they  shall  eat  every  man  the  flesh  of  his  own  arm: 

81  Manasseh,    Ephraim;     and   Ephraim,    Manasseh;     they 


130  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  9. 

tog:ether  shall  be  against  Judah.      For  all  this  his  anger  is 
not  turned  away,  but  his  hand  stretched  out  still. 

82  1I"Wo  unto  them  that  decree  unrighteous  decrees,  and 
that  write  grievousness  which  they  have  prescribed; 

83  To  turn  aside  the  needy  from  judgment,  and  to  take 
away  the  right  from  the  poor  of  my  people,  that  widows  may 
be  their  prey,  and  that  they  may  rob  the  fatherless ! 

84  And  what  will  ye  do  in  the  day  of  visitation,  and  in  the 
desolation  which  shall  come  from  far?  To  whom  will  ye  flee 
for  help?     and  where  will  ye  leave  your  glory? 

85  Without  me  they  shall  bow  down  under  the  prisoners, 
and  they  shall  fall  under  the  slain.  For  all  this  his  anger  is 
not  turned  away,  but  his  hand  stretched  out  still. 

86  ^0  Assyrian,  the  rod  of  mine  anger,  and  the  staff  in 
their  hand  is  their  indignation. 

87  I  will  send  him  against  a  hypocritical  nation,  and 
against  the  people  of  my  wrath  will  I  give  him  a  charge,  to 
take  the  spoil,  ana  to  take  the  prey,  and  to  tread  them  down 
like  the  mire  of  the  streets. 

88  Howbeit  he  meaneth  not  so,  neither  doth  his  heart  think 
so;  but  in  his  heart  it  is  to  destroy  and  cut  off  nations  not  a 
few. 

89  For  he  saith.  Are  not  my  princes  altogether  kings? 

90  Is  not  Calno  as  Carchemish?  Is  not  Hamath  as  Arpad? 
Is  not  Samaria  as  Damascus? 

91  As  my  hand  hath  founded  the  kingdoms  of  the  idols, 
and  whose  graven  images  did  excel  them  of  Jerusalem  and 
of  Samaria; 

92  Shall  I  not,  as  I  have  done  unto  Samaria  and  her  idols, 
so  do  to  Jerusalem  and  to  her  idols? 

93  Wherefore  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  when  the  Lord 
hath  performed  his  whole  work  upon  mount  Zion  and  upon 
Jerusalem,  I  will  punish  the  fruit  of  the  stout  heart  of  the 
king  of  Assyria,  and  the  glory  of  his  high  looks. 

94  For  he  saith.  By  the  strength  of  my  hand  and  by  my 
wisdom  I  have  done  these  things:    for  I  am  prudent;    and  I 

^Isaiah  10. 


CHAP.   9.]  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  131 

have  moved  the  borders  of  the  people,  and  have  robbed  their 
treasures,  and  I  have  put  down  the  inhabitants  like  a  valiant 
man; 

95  And  my  hand  hath  found  as  a  nest  the  riches  of  the 
people;  and  as  one  gathereth  eggs  that  are  left,  have  I  gath- 
ered all  the  earth:  and  there  was  none  that  moved  the  wing, 
or  opened  the  mouth,  or  peeped. 

96  Shall  the  axe  boast  itself  against  him  that  heweth 
therewith?  Shall  the  saw  magnify  itself  against  him  that 
shaketh  it?  as  if  the  rod  should  shake  itself  against  them 
that  lift  it  up,  or  as  if  the  staff  should  lift  up  itself,  as  if  it 
were  no  wood. 

97  Therefore  shall  the  Lord,  the  Lord  of  hosts,  send  among 
his  fat  ones,  leanness:  and  under  his  glory  he  shall  kindle  a 
burning  like  the  burning  of  a  fire. 

98  And  the  light  of  Israel  shall  be  for  a  fire,  and  his  Holy 
One  for  a  flame,  and  shall  burn  and  shall  devour  his  thorns 
and  his  briers  in  one  day; 

99  And  shall  consume  the  glory  of  his  forest,  and  of  his 
fruitful  field,  both  soul  and  body;  and  they  shall  be  as  when 
a  standard-bearer  fainteth. 

100  And  the  rest  of  the  trees  of  his  forest  shall  be  few, 
that  a  child  may  write  them. 

101  ^And  it  shall  come  to  pass  in  that  day,  that  the  rem- 
nant of  Israel,  and  such  as  are  escaped  of  the  house  of  Jacob, 
shall  no  more  again  stay  upon  him  that  smote  them :  but 
shall  stay  upon  the  Lord,  the  Holy  One  of  Israel,  in  truth. 

102  The  remnant  shall  return,  yea,  even  the  remnant  of 
Jacob,  unto  the  mighty  God. 

103  For  though  thy  people  Israel  be  as  the  sand  of  the  sea, 
yet  a  remnant  of  them  shall  return;  the  consumption  decreed 
shall  overflow  with  righteousness. 

104  For  the  Lord  God  of  hosts  shall  make  a  consumption, 
even  determined,  in  all  tlie  land. 

105  ^Therefore,  thus  saith  the  Lord  God  of  hosts,  0  my 
people,  that  dwellest  in  Zion,  be  not  afraid  of  the  Assyrian: 
he  shall  smite  thee  with  a  rod,  and  shall  lift  up  his  staff 
against  thee,  after  the  manner  of  Egypt. 


132  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  9. 

106  For  yet  a  very  little  while,  and  the  indignation  shall 
cease,  and  mine  anger  in  their  destruction. 

107  And  the  Lord  of  hosts  shall  stir  up  a  scourge  for  him 
according  to  the  slaughter  of  Midian  at  the  rock  of  Oreb: 
and  as  his  rod  was  upon  the  sea,  so  shall  he  lift  it  up  after 
the  manner  of  Egypt. 

108  And  it  shall  come  to  pass  in  that  day,  that  his  burden 
shall  be  taken  away  from  off  thy  shoulder,  and  his  yoke  from 
off  thy  neck,  and  the  yoke  shall  be  destroyed  because  of  the 
anointing. 

109  He  is  come  to  Aiath,  he  is  passed  to  Migron;  at  Mich- 
mash  he  hath  laid  upon  his  carriages; 

110  They  are  gone  over  the  passage;  they  have  taken  up 
their  lodging  at  Geba;  Ramath  is  afraid;  Gibeah  of  Saul  is 
fled. 

111  Lift  up  the  voice,  O  daughter  of  Gallim:  cause  it  to 
be  heard  unto  Laish,  O  poor  Anathoth. 

112  Madmenah  is  removed:  the  inhabitants  of  Gebim  gather 
themselves  to  flee. 

113  As  yet  shall  he  remain  at  Nob  that  day;  he  shall 
shake  his  hand  against  the  mount  of  the  daughter  of  Zion, 
the  hill  of  Jerusalem. 

114  Behold,  the  Lord,  the  Lord  of  hosts  shall  lop  the  bough 
with  terror :  and  the  high  ones  of  stature  shall  be  hewn  down : 
and  the  haughty  shall  be  humbled. 

115  And  he  shall  cut  down  the  thickets  of  the  forests  with 
iron,  and  Lebanon  shall  fall  by  a  mighty  one. 

116  ^"And  there  shall  come  forth  a  rod  out  of  the  stem  of 
Jesse,  and  a  branch  shall  grow  out  of  his  roots; 

117  And  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  shall  rest  upon  him,  the 
spirit  of  wisdom  and  understanding,  the  spirit  of  counsel  and 
might,  the  spirit  of  knowledge  and  of  the  fear  of  the  Lord; 

118  And  shall  make  him  of  quick  understanding  in  the 
fear  of  the  Lord:  and  he  shall  not  judge  after  the  sight  of 
his  eyes,  neither  reprove  after  the  hearing  of  his  ears; 

119  But  with   righteousness  shall  he  judge  the  poor,  and 

«Isaiali   11. 


CHAP.  9.]  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  133 

reprove  with  equity  for  the  meek  of  the  earth:  and  he  shall 
smite  the  earth  with  the  rod  of  his  mouth,  and  with  the  breath 
of  his  lips  shall  he  slay  the  wicked. 

120  And  righteousness  shall  be  the  girdle  of  his  loins,  and 
faithfulness  the  girdle  of  his  reins. 

121  The  wolf  also  shall  dwell  with  the  lamb,  and  the 
leopard  shall  lie  down  with  the  kid;  and  the  calf  and  the 
young  lion  and  the  fatling  together;  and  a  little  child  shall 
lead  them. 

122  And  the  cow  and  the  bear  shall  feed;  their  3''oun^^ 
ones  shall  lie  down  together;  and  the  lion  shall  eat  straw  like 
the  ox. 

123  And  the  sucking  child  shall  play  on  the  hole  of  the 
asp,  and  the  weaned  child  shall  put  his  hand  on  the  cocka- 
trice's den. 

124  They  shall  not  hurt  nor  destroy  in  all  my  holy  moun- 
tain :  for  the  earth  shall  be  full  of  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord, 
as  the  waters  cover  the  sea. 

125  ^And  in  that  day  there  shall  be  a  root  of  Jesse,  which 
shall  stand  for  an  ensign  of  the  people:  to  it  shall  the  Gen- 
tiles seek:  and  his  rest  shall  be  glorious. 

126  And  it  shall  come  to  pass  in  that  day,  that  the  Lord 
shall  set  his  hand  again  the  second  time  to  recover  the  rem- 
nant of  his  people,  which  shall  be  left  from  Assyria,  and  from 
Egypt,  and  from  Pathros,  and  from  Cush,  and  from  Elam, 
and  from  Shinar,  and  from  Hamath,  and  from  the  islands  of 
the  sea. 

127  And  he  shall  set  up  an  ensign  for  the  nations,  and  shall 
assemble  the  outcasts  of  Israel,  and  gather  together  the  dis- 
persed of  Judah  from  the  four  corners  of  the  earth. 

128  The  envy  of  Ephraim  also  shall  depart,  and  the  adver- 
saries of  Judah  shall  be  cut  off:  Ephraim  shall  not  envy 
Judah,  and  Judah  shall  not  vex  Ephraim. 

129  But  they  shall  fly  upon  the  shoulders  of  the  Philistines 
toward  the  west;  they  shall  spoil  them  of  the  east  together; 
they  shall  lay  their  hand  upon  Edom  and  Moab;  and  the  chil- 
dren of  Ammon  shall  obey  them. 

130  And  the  Lord  shall  utterly  destroy  the  tongue  of  the 


134  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.        [chap.  10. 

Egyptian  sea;  and  with  his  mighty  wind  he  shall  shake  his 
hand  over  the  river,  and  shall  smite  it  in  the  seven  streams, 
and  make  men  go  over  dry  shod. 

131  And  there  shall  be  a  highway  for  the  remnant  of  his 
people,  which  shall  be  left,  from  Assyria,  like  as  it  was  to 
Israel  in  the  day  that  he  came  up  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt. 

132  TI'And  in  that  day  thou  shalt  say,  O  Lord,  I  will  praise 
thee:  though  thou  wast  angry  with  me,  thine  anger  is  turned 
away,  and  thou  comfortedst  me. 

133  Behold,  God  is  my  salvation;  I  will  trust,  and  not  be 
afraid:  for  the  Lord,  Jehovah  is  my  strength  and  my  song; 
he  also  is  become  my  salvation. 

134  Therefore,  with  joy  shall  ye  draw  water  out  of  the 
wells  of  salvation. 

135  And  in  that  day  shall  ye  say,  Praise  the  Lord,  call 
upon  his  name,  declare  his  doings  among  the  people,  make 
mention  that  his  name  is  exalted. 

136  Sing  unto  the  Lord;  for  he  hath  done  excellent  things: 
this  is  known  in  all  the  earth. 

137  Cry  out  and  shout,  thou  inhabitant  of  Zion;  for  great 
is  the  Holy  One  of  Israel  in  the  midst  of  thee. 


CHAPTER  10. 

1  ^'The  burden  of  Babylon,  which  Isaiah  the  son  of  Amoz 
did  see. 

2  Lift  ye  up  a  banner  upon  the  high  mountain,  exalt  the 
voice  unto  them,  shake  the  hand,  that  they  may  go  into  the 
gates  of  the  nobles. 

3  I  have  commanded  my  sanctified  ones,  I  have  also  called 
my  mighty  ones,  for  mine  anger  is  not  upon  them  that  rejoice 
in  my  highness. 

4  The  noise  of  the  multitude  in  the  mountains  like  as  of  a 
great  people;    a  tumultuous  noise  of  the  kingdoms  of  nations 

nsaiah  12. 
'Isaiah   Vi. 


CHAP.  10.]        SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  135 

gathered  together:  the  Lord  of  hosts  mustereth  the  hosts  of 
the  battle. 

5  They  come  from  a  far  country,  from  the  end  of  heaven, 
yea,  the  Lord,  and  the  weapons  of  his  indignation,  to  destroy 
the  whole  land. 

6  ^Howl  ye;  for  the  day  of  the  Lord  is  at  hand:  it  shall 
come  as  a  destruction  from  the  Almighty. 

7  Therefore,  shall  all  hands  be  faint,  every  man's  heart 
shall  melt; 

8  And  they  shall  be  afraid;  pangs  and  sorrows  shall  take 
hold  of  them;  they  shall  be  amazed  one  at  another;  their 
faces  shall  be  as  flames: 

9  Behold,  the  day  of  the  Lord  cometh,  cruel  both  with 
wrath  and  fierce  anger,  to  lay  the  land  desolate :  and  he  shall 
destroy  the  sinners  thereof  out  of  it. 

10  For  the  stars  of  heaven  and  the  constellations  thereof 
shall  not  give  their  light;  the  sun  shall  be  darkened  in  his 
going  forth,  and  the  moon  shall  not  cause  her  light  to  shine. 

11  And  I  will  punish  the  world  for  evil,  and  the  wicked 
for  their  iniquity;  I  will  cause  the  arrogancy  of  the  proud  to 
cease,  and  will  lay  down  the  haughtiness  of  the  terrible; 

12  I  will  make  a  man  more  precious  than  fine  gold;  even  a 
man  than  the  golden  wedge  of  Ophir. 

13  Therefore,  I  will  shake  the  heavens,  and  the  earth  shall 
remove  out  of  her  place,  in  the  wrath  of  the  Lord  of  hosts, 
and  in  the  day  of  his  fierce  anger. 

14  And  it  shall  be  as  the  chased  roe,  and  as  a  sheep  that 
no  man  taketh  up :  they  shall  every  man  turn  to  his  own  peo- 
ple, and  flee  every  one  into  his  own  land. 

15  Every  one  that  is  proud  shall  be  thrust  through;  yea, 
and  every  one  that  is  joined  to  the  wicked,  shall  fall  by  the 
sword. 

16  Their  children  also  shall  be  dashed  to  pieces  before  their 
eyes;  their  houses  shall  be  spoiled  and  their  wives  ravished. 

17  Behold,  I  will  stir  up  the  Medes  against  them,  which 
shall  not  regard  silver  and  gold,  nor  they  shall  not  delight 
in  it. 

18  Their  bows  shall  also  dash  the  young  men  to  pieces ;  and 


136  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.        [chap.  10. 

they  shall  have  no  pity  on  the  fruit  of  the  womb;  their  eyes 
shall  not  spare  children. 

19  ^And  Babylon,  the  glory  of  kingdoms,  the  beauty  of  the 
Chaldee's  excellency,  shall  be  as  when  God  overthrew  Sodom 
and  Gomorrah. 

20  It  shall  never  be  inhabited,  neither  shall  it  be  dwelt  in 
from  generation  to  generation:  neither  shall  the  Arabian 
pitch  tent  there;  neither  shall  the  shepherds  make  their  fold 
there : 

21  But  wild  beasts  of  the  desert  shall  lie  there;  and  their 
houses  shall  be  full  of  doleful  creatures;  and  owls  shall  dwell 
there,  and  satyrs  shall  dance  there. 

22  And  the  wild  beasts  of  the  islands  shall  cry  in  their 
desolate  houses,  and  dragons  in  their  pleasant  palaces:  and 
her  time  is  near  to  come,  and  her  day  shall  not  be  prolonged. 
For  I  will  destroy  her  speedily;  yea,  for  I  will  be  merciful 
unto  my  people:  but  the  wicked  shall  perish. 

23  ^"For  the  Lord  will  have  mercy  on  Jacob,  and  will  yet 
choose  Israel,  and  set  them  in  their  own  land:  and  the 
strangers  shall  be  joined  with  them,  and  they  shall  cleave  to 
the  house  of  Jacob. 

24  And  the  people  shall  take  them,  and  bring  them  to  their 
place ;  yea,  from  far  unto  the  ends  of  the  earth ;  and  they  shall 
return  to  their  lands  of  promise.  And  the  house  of  Israel 
shall  possess  them,  and  the  land  of  the  Lord  shall  be  for  serv- 
ants and  handmaids;  and  they  shall  take  them  captives,  unto 
whom  they  were  captives;  and  they  shall  rule  over  their  op- 
pressors. 

25  And  it  shall  come  to  pass  in  that  day  that  the  Lord  shall 
give  thee  rest,  from  thy  sorrow,  and  from  thy  fear,  and  from 
the  hard  bondage  wherein  thou  wast  made  to  serve. 

26  ^And  it  shall  come  to  pass  in  that  day  that  thou  shalt 
take  up  this  proverb  against  the  king  of  Babylon,  and  say. 
How  hath  the  oppressor  ceased,  the  golden  city  ceased ! 

27  The  Lord  hath  broken  the  staff  of  the  wicked,  the  scep- 
ters of  the  rulers. 

nsni.ih    14. 


CHAP.  10.]         SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  137 

28  He  who  smote  the  people  in  wrath  with  a  continual 
stroke,  he  that  ruled  the  nations  in  anger,  is  persecuted,  and 
none  hindereth. 

29  The  whole  earth  is  at  rest,  and  is  quiet:  they  break 
forth  into  singing. 

30  Yea,  the  fir-trees  rejoice  at  thee,  and  also  the  cedars  of 
Lebanon,  saying,  Since  thou  art  laid  down,  no  feller  is  come 
up  against  us. 

31  Hell  from  beneath  is  moved  for  thee  to  meet  thee  at  thy 
coming;  it  stirreth  up  the  dead  for  thee,  even  all  the  chief 
ones  of  the  earth :  it  hath  raised  up  from  their  thrones  all  the 
kings  of  the  nations. 

32  All  they  shall  speak  and  say  unto  thee.  Art  thou  also 
become  weak  as  we?     Art  thou  become  like  unto  us? 

33  Thy  pomp  is  brought  down  to  the  grave;  the  noise  of 
thy  viols  is  not  heard:  the  worm  is  spread  under  thee,  and 
the  worms  cover  thee. 

34  How  art  thou  fallen  from  heaven,  O  Lucifer,  son  of  the 
morning!  Art  thou  cut  down  to  the  ground,  which  did  weaken 
the  nations! 

35  For  thou  hast  said  in  tliy  heart,  I  will  ascend  into 
heaven,  I  will  exalt  my  throne  above  the  stars  of  God:  I  will 
sit  also  upon  the  mount  of  the  congregation,  in  the  sides  of 
the  north; 

36  I  will  ascend  above  the  heights  of  the  clouds;  I  will  be 
like  the  Most  High. 

37  Yet  thou  shalt  be  brought  down  to  hell,  to  the  sides  of 
the  pit. 

38  They  that  see  thee  shall  narrowly  look  upon  thee,  and 
shall  consider  thee,  and  shall  say,  Is  this  the  man  that  made 
the  earth  to  tremble,  that  did  shake  kingdoms, 

39  And  made  the  world  as  a  wilderness,  and  destroyed  the 
cities  thereof,  and  opened  not  the  house  of  his  prisoners? 

40  All  the  kings  of  the  nations,  yea,  all  of  them,  lie  ir 
glory,  every  one  of  them  in  his  own  house. 

41  But  thou  art  cast  out  of  thy  grave  like  an  abominable 
branch,  and    the    remnant    of    those    that    are    slain,    thrust 


138  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.         [chap.  10. 

through  with  a  sword,  that  go  down  to  the  stones  of  the  pit; 
as  a  carcass  trodden  under  feet. 

42  Thou  shalt  not  be  joined  with  them  in  burial,  because 
thou  hast  destroyed  thy  land,  and  slain  thy  people:  the  seed 
of  evil  doers  shall  never  be  renowned. 

43  Prepare  slaughter  for  his  children  for  the  iniquities  of 
their  fathers;  that  they  do  not  rise,  nor  possess  the  land,  nor 
fill  the  face  of  the  world  with  cities. 

44  For  I  will  rise  up  against  them,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts, 
and  cut  off  from  Babylon  the  name,  and  remnant,  and  son, 
and  nephew,  saith  the  Lord. 

45  I  will  also  make  it  a  possession  for  the  bittern,  and  pools 
of  water:  and  I  will  sweep  it  with  the  besom  of  destruction, 
saith  the  Lord  of  hosts. 

46  ^The  Lord  of  hosts  hath  sworn,  saying,  Surely  as  I  have 
thought,  so  shall  it  come  to  pass;  and  as  I  have  purposed,  so 
shall  it  stand: 

47  That  I  will  bring  the  Assyrian  in  my  land,  and  upon  my 
mountains  tread  him  under  foot:  then  shall  his  yoke  depart 
from  off  them,  and  his  burden  depart  from  off  their  shoulders. 

48  This  is  the  purpose  that  is  purposed  upon  the  whole 
earth:  and  this  is  the  hand  that  is  stretched  out  upon  all 
nations. 

49  For  the  Lord  of  Hosts  hath  purposed,  and  who  shall  dis- 
annul? And  his  hand  stretched  out,  and  who  shall  turn  it 
back? 

50  In  the  year  that  King  Ahaz  died  was  this  burden. 

51  ^Rejoice  not  thou,  whole  Palestina,  because  the  rod  of 
him  that  smote  thee  is  broken:  for  out  of  the  serpent's  root 
shall  come  forth  a  cockatrice,  and  his  fruit  shall  be  a  fiery 
flying  serpent. 

52  And  the  first  born  of  the  poor  shall  feed,  and  the  needy 
shall  lie  down  in  safety:  and  I  will  kill  thy  root  with  famine, 
and  he  shall  slay  thy  remnant. 

53  Howl,  O  gate;  cry,  O  city;  thou,  whole  Palestina,  art 
dissolved:  for  there  shall  come  from  the  north  a  smoke,  and 
none  shall  be  alone  in  his  appointed  times. 


CHAP.  11.]        SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHL  139 

54  What  shall  then  answer  the  messengers  of  the  nations? 
That  the  Lord  hath  founded  Zion,  and  the  poor  of  his  people 
shall  trust  in  it.  . 


CHAPTER  11. 

1  IJNow  I,  Nephi,  do  speak  somewhat  concerning  the  words 
which  I  have  written,  which  have  been  spoken  by  the  mouth 
of  Isaiah. 

2  For  behold,  Isaiah  spake  many  things  which  were  hard 
for  many  of  my  people  to  understand ;  for  they  know  not  con- 
cerning the  manner  of  prophesying  among  the  Jews. 

3  For  I,  Nephi,  have  not  taught  them  many  things  concern- 
ing the  manner  of  the  Jews;  for  their  works  were  works  of 
darkness,  and  their  doings  were  doings  of  abomination. 

4  Wherefore,  I  write  unto  my  people,  unto  all  those  that 
shall  receive  hereafter  these  things  which  I  write,  that  they 
may  know  the  judgments  of  God,  that  they  come  upon  all 
nations,  according  to  the  word  which  he  hath  spoken. 

5  Wherefore  hearken,  O  my  people,  which  are  of  the  house 
of  Israel,  and  give  ear  unto  my  words :  for  because  the  word^ 
of  Isaiah  are  not  plain  unto  you,  nevertheless  they  are  plain 
unto  all  those  that  are  filled  with  the  spirit  of  prophecy. 

6  But  I  give  unto  you  a  prophecy,  according  to  the  spirit 
which  is  in  me;  wherefore  I  shall  prophesy  according  to  the 
plainness  which  hath  been  with  me  from  the  time  that  I  came 
out  from  Jerusalem  with  my  father: 

7  For  behold,  my  soul  delighteth  in  plainness  unto  my  peo- 
ple, that  they  may  learn; 

8  Yea,  and  my  soul  delighteth  in  the  words  of  Isaiah,  for 
I  came  out  from  Jerusalem,  and  mine  eyes  hath  beheld  the 
things  of  the  Jews,  and  I  know  that  the  Jews  do  understand 
the  things  of  the  prophets,  and  there  is  none  other  people  that 
understand  the  things  which  were  spoken  unto  the  Jews,  like 
unto  them,  save  it  be  that  they  are  taught  after  the  maaner 
of  the  things  of  the  Jews. 

9  But  behold,  I,  Nephi,  have  not  taught  my  children  after 
the  manner  of  the  Jews;  but  behold,  I,  of  myself,  have  dwelt 


140  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.         [chap.  11. 

at  Jerusalem,  wherefore  I  know  concerning  the  regions  round 
about; 

10  And  I  have  made  mention  unto  my  children  concorning 
the  judgments  of  God,  which  hath  come  to  pass  among  the 
Jews,  unto  my  children,  according  to  all  that  which  Isaiah 
hath  spoken,  and  I  do  not  write  them. 

11  But  behold,  I  proceed  with  mine  own  prophecy,  accord- 
ing to  my  plainness;  in  the  which  I  know  that  no  man  can 
err; 

12  Nevertheless,  in  the  days  that  the  prophecies  of  Isaiah 
shall  be  fulfilled,  men  shall  know  of  a  surety,  at  the  times 
when  they  shall  come  to  pass; 

13  Wherefore,  they  are  of  worth  unto  the  children  of  men, 
and  he  that  supposeth  that  they  are  not,  unto  them  will  I 
speak  particularly,  and  confine  the  words  unto  mine  own 
people : 

14  For  I  know  that  they  shall  be  of  great  worth  unto  them 
in  the  last  days;  for  in  that  day  shall  they  understand  them; 
wherefore,  for  their  good  have  I  written  them. 

15  And  as  one  generation  hath  been  destroyed  among  the 
Jews,  because  of  iniquity,  even  so  have  they  been  destroyed 
from  generation  to  generation,  according  to  their  iniquities; 

16  And  never  hath  any  of  them  been  destroyed,  save  it 
were  foretold  them  by  the  prophets  of  the  Lord. 

17  Wherefore,  it  hath  been  told  them  concerning  the  de- 
struction which  should  come  upon  them,  immediately  after  my 
father  left  Jerusalem; 

18  Nevertheless,  they  hardened  their  hearts;  and  accord- 
ing to  my  prophecy,  they  have  been  destroyed,  save  it  be 
those  which  are  carried  away  captive  into  Babylon. 

19  And  now  this  I  speak  because  of  the  spirit  which  is  in 
me. 

20  And  notwithstanding  they  have  been  carried  away,  they 
shall  return  again,  and  possess  the  land  of  Jerusalem;  where- 
fore they  shall  be  restored  again  to  the  lands  of  their  inherit- 
ance. 

21  But,  behold,  they  shall  have  wars,  and  rumors  of  wars; 
and  when   the   day   cometh   that  the   Only   Begotten   of  the 


CHAP.  11.]         SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  141 

Father,  yea,  even  the  Father  of  heaven  and  of  earth,  shall 
manifest  himself  unto  them  in  the  flesh,  behold,  they  will 
reject  him,  because  of  their  iniquities,  and  the  hardness  of 
their  hearts,  and  the  stiffness  of  their  necks. 

22  Behold,  they  will  crucify  him,  and  after  he  is  laid  in  a 
sepulcher  for  the  space  of  three  days,  he  shall  rise  from  the 
dead,  with  healing  in  his  wings,  and  all  those  who  shall  be- 
lieve on  his  name,  shall  be  saved  in  the  kingdom  of  God; 

23  Wherefore,  my  soul  delighteth  to  prophesy  concerning 
him,  for  I  have  seen  his  day,  and  my  heart  doth  magnify  his 
holy  name. 

24  ^And  behold,  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  after  the  Mes- 
siah hath  risen  from  the  dead,  and  hath  manifested  himself 
unto  his  people,  unto  as  many  as  will  believe  on  his  name, 
behold,  Jerusalem  shall  be  destroyed  again:  for  wo  unto  them 
that  fight  against  God  and  the  people  of  his  church. 

25  Wherefore,  the  Jews  shall  be  scattered  among  all  na- 
tions; yea,  and  also  Babylon  shall  be  destroyed;  wherefore, 
the  Jews  shall  be  scattered  by  other  nations; 

26  And  after  they  have  been  scattered,  and  the  Lord  God 
hath  scourged  them  by  other  nations,  for  the  space  of  many 
generations,  yea,  even  down  from  generation  to  generation, 
until  they  shall  be  persuaded  to  believe  in  Christ,  the  Son  of 
God,  and  the  atonement,  which  is  infinite  for  all  mankind; 

27  And  when  that  day  shall  come,  that  they  shall  believe 
in  Christ,  and  worship  the  Father  in  his  name,  with  pure 
hearts,  and  clean  hands,  and  look  not  forward  any  more  for 
another  Messiah,  then,  at  that  time,  the  day  will  come  that  it 
must  needs  be  expedient  that  they  should  believe  these  things, 

28  And  the  Lord  will  set  his  hand  again  the  second  time  to 
restore  his  people  from  their  lost  and  fallen  state. 

29  Wherefore,  he  will  proceed  to  do  a  marvelous  work,  and 
a  wonder  among  the  children  of  men. 

30  IJWherefore,  he  shall  bring  forth  his  words  unto  them, 
which  words  shall  judge  them  at  the  last  day; 

31  For  they  shall  be  given  them  for  the  purpose  of  con- 
vincing them  of  the  true  Messiah,  who  was  rejected  by  them; 


142  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.         [chap.  11. 

32  And  unto  the  convincing  of  them  that  they  need  not 
look  forward  any  more  for  a  Messiah  to  come, 

33  For  there  should  not  any  come,  save  it  should  be  a  false 
Messiah,  which  should  deceive  the  people: 

34  For  there  is  save  one  Messiah  spoken  of  by  the  prophets, 
and  that  Messiah  is  he  who  should  be  rejected  of  the  Jews. 

35  For  according  to  the  words  of  the  prophets,  the  Messiah 
cometh  in  six  hundred  years  from  the  time  that  my  father 
left  Jerusalem; 

36  And  according  to  the  words  of  the  prophets,  and  also 
the  word  of  the  angel  of  God,  his  name  shall  be  Jesus  Christ, 
the  Son  of  God. 

37  T[And  now  my  brethren,  I  have  spoken  plain,  that  ye 
can  not  err; 

38  And  as  the  Lord  God  liveth,  that  brought  Israel  up  out 
of  the  land  of  Egypt,  and  gave  unto  Moses  power  that  he 
should  heal  the  nations,  after  they  had  been  bitten  by  the 
poisonous  serpents,  if  they  would  cast  their  eyes  unto  the 
serpent  which  he  did  raise  up  before  them,  and  also  gave  him 
power  that  he  should  smite  the  rock,  and  the  water  should 
come  forth; 

39  Yea,  behold,  I  say  unto  you,  that  as  these  things  are 
true,  and  as  the  Lord  God  liveth,  there  is  none  other  name 
given  under  heaven,  save  it  be  this  Jesus  Christ  of  which  I 
have  spoken,  whereby  man  can  be  saved. 

40  TJWherefore,  for  this  cause  hath  the  Lord  God  promised 
unto  me  that  these  things  which  I  write,  shall  be  kept  and 
preserved,  and  handed  down  unto  my  seed,  from  generation 
to  generation,  that  the  promise  may  be  fulfilled  unto  Joseph, 
that  his  seed  should  never  perish  as  long  as  the  earth  should 
stand. 

41  Wherefore,  these  things  shall  go  from  generation  to 
generation  as  long  as  the  earth  shall  stand;  and  they  shall  go 
according  to  the  will  and  pleasure  of  God; 

42  And  the  nations  which  shall  possess  them,  shall  be 
judged  of  them  according  to  the  words  which  are  written; 

43  For  we  labor  diligently  to  write,  to  persuade  our  chil- 


CHAP.  11.]        SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  143 

dren,  and  also  our  brethren,  to  believe  in  Christ,  and  to  be 
reconciled  to  God; 

44  For  we  know  that  it  is  by  grace  that  we  are  saved,  after 
all  we  can  do. 

45  ^And  notwithstanding  we  believe  in  Christ,  we  keep 
the  law  of  Moses,  and  look  forward  with  steadfastness  unto 
Christ,  until  the  law  shall  be  fulfilled;  for,  for  this  end  was 
the  law  given; 

46  Wherefore,  the  law  hath  become  dead  unto  us,  and  we 
are  made  alive  in  Christ,  because  of  our  faith; 

47  Yet  we  keep  the  law  because  of  the  commandments; 

48  And  we  talk  of  Christ,  v/e  rejoice  in  Christ,  we  preach 
of  Christ,  we  prophesy  of  Christ,  and  we  write  according  to 
our  prophecies,  that  our  children  may  know  to  what  source 
they  may  look  for  a  remission  of  their  sins. 

49  Wherefore,  we  speak  concerning  the  law,  that  our  chil- 
dren may  know  the  deadness  of  the  law; 

50  And  they,  by  knowing  the  deadness  of  the  law,  may 
look  forward  unto  that  life  which  is  in  Christ,  and  know  for 
what  end  the  law  was  given. 

51  And  after  the  law  is  fulfilled  in  Christ,  that  they  need 
not  harden  their  hearts  against  him,  when  the  law  ought  to 
be  done  away. 

52  TfAnd  now  behold,  my  people,  ye  are  a  stiff-necked  peo- 
ple; wherefore,  I  have  spoken  plain  unto  you,  that  ye  can  not 
misunderstand. 

53  And  the  words  which  I  have  spoken,  shall  stand  as  a 
testimony  against  you;  for  they  are  sufficient  to  teach  any 
man  the  right  way: 

54  For  the  right  way  is  to  believe  in  Christ  and  deny  him 
not;  for  by  denying  him,  ye  also  deny  the  prophets  and  the 
law. 

55  TJAnd  now  behold  I  say  unto  you,  that  the  right  way  is 
to  believe  in  Christ,  and  deny  him  not;  and  Christ  is  the 
Holy  One  of  Israel : 

56  Wherefore  ye  must  bow  down  before  him,  and  worship 
him  with  all  your  might,  mind  and  strength,  and  your  whole 
soul,  and  if  ye  do  this,  ye  shall  in  no  wise  be  cast  out. 


144  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHL         [chap.  11. 

57  And  inasmuch  as  it  shall  be  expedient,  ye  must  keep 
the  performances  and  ordinances  of  God,  until  the  law  shall 
be  fulfilled  which  was  given  unto  Moses. 

58  ^And  after  Christ  shall  have  risen  from  the  dead,  he 
shall  shew  himself  unto  you,  my  children,  and  my  beloved 
brethren ; 

59  And  the  words  which  he  shall  speak  unto  you,  shall  be 
the  law  which  ye  shall  do. 

60  For  behold,  I  say  unto  you,  that  I  have  beheld  that 
many  generations  shall  pass  away,  and  there  shall  be  great 
wars  and  contentions  among  my  people. 

61  And  after  the  Messiah  shall  come,  there  shall  be  signs 
given  unto  my  people  of  his  birth,  and  also  of  his  death  and 
resurrection ; 

62  And  great  and  terrible  shall  that  day  be  unto  the 
wicked;  for  they  shall  perish; 

63  And  they  perish  because  they  cast  out  the  prophets,  and 
the  saints,  and  stone  them,  and  slay  them: 

64  Wherefore  the  cry  of  the  blood  of  the  saints  shall  ascend 
up  to  God  from  the  ground,  against  them. 

65  Wherefore  all  those  who  are  proud,  and  that  do  wick- 
edly, the  day  that  cometh  shall  burn  them  up,  saith  the  Lord 
of  hosts,  for  they  shall  be  as  stubble; 

66  And  they  that  kill  the  prophets,  and  the  saints,  the 
depths  of  the  earth  shall  swallow  them  up,  saith  the  Lord  of 
hosts : 

67  And  mountains  shall  cover  them,  and  whirlwinds  shall 
carry  them  away,  and  buildings  shall  fall  upon  them,  and 
crush  them  to  pieces  and  grind  them  to  powder; 

68  And  they  shall  be  visited  with  thunderings,  and  light- 
nings, and  earthquakes,  and  all  manner  of  destructions; 

69  For  the  fire  of  the  anger  of  the  Lord  shall  be  kindled 
against  them,  and  they  shall  be  as  stubble,  and  the  day  that 
cometh  shall  consume  them,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts. 

70  110  the  pain,  and  the  anguish  of  my  soul  for  the  loss  of 
the  slain  of  my  people! 

71  For  I,  Nephi,  hath  seen  it,  and  it  well  nigh  consumeth 


CHAP.  11.]        SECOND    BOOK    OF,  NEPHI.  145 

me  before  the  presence  of  the  -Lord :  but  I  must  cry  unto  my 
God,  Thy  ways  are  just. 

72  But  behold,  the  righteous,  that  hearken  unto  the  words 
of  the  prophets,  and  destroy  them  not,  but  look  forward  unto 
Christ  with  steadfastness  for  the  signs  which  are  given,  not- 
withstanding all  persecutions;  behold  they  are  they  which 
shall  not  perish. 

73  But  the  Son  of  Righteousness  shall  appear  unto  them; 
and  he  shall  heal  them,  and  they  shall  have  peace  with  him, 
until  three  generations  shall  have  passed  away,  and  many  of 
the  fourth  generation  shall  have  passed  away  in  righteous- 
ness. 

74  And  when  these  things  shall  have  passed  away,  a  speedy 
destruction  cometh  unto  my  people;  for,  notwithstanding  the 
pains  of  my  soul,  I  have  seen  it;  wherefore,  I  know  that  it 
shall  come  to  pass; 

75  And  they  sell  themselves  for  nought;  for,  for  the  reward 
of  their  pride,  and  their  foolishness,  they  shall  reap  destruc- 
tion; 

76  For  because  they  yield  unto  the  devil,  and  choose  works 
of  darkness  rather  than  light;  therefore  they  must  go  down 
to  hell,  for  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  will  not  always  strive  with 
man. 

77  And  when  the  Spirit  ceaseth  to  strive  with  man,  then 
cometh  speedy  destruction;    and  this  grieveth  my  soul. 

78  ^And  as  I  spake  concerning  the  convincing  of  the  Jews, 
that  Jesus  is  the  very  Christ,  it  must  needs  be  that  the  Gen- 
tiles be  convinced  also,  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ,  the  Eternal 
God;  and  that  he  manifesteth  himself  unto  all  those  who  be- 
lieve in  him,  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost; 

79  Yea,  unto  every  nation,  kindred,  tongue,  and  people, 
working  mighty  miracles,  signs  and  wonders,  among  the  chil- 
dren of  men,  according  to  their  faith. 

80  ^But  behold,  I  prophesy  unto  you  concerning  the  last 
days;  concerning  the  days  when  the  Lord  God  shall  bring 
these  things  forth  unto  the  children  of  men. 

81  After  my  seed,  and  the  seed  of  my  brethren  shall  have 


146  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.        [chap.  11. 

dwindled  in  unbelief,  and  shall  have  been  smitten  by  the  Gen- 
tiles ; 

82  Yea,  after  the  Lord  God  shall  have  camped  against  them 
round  about,  and  shall  have  laid  siege  against  them  with  a 
mount,  and  raised  forts  against  them; 

83  And  after  they  shall  have  been  brought  down  low  in 
the  dust,  even  that  they  are  not,  yet  the  words  of  the  right- 
eous shall  be  written,  and  the  prayers  of  the  faithful  shall  be 
heard,  and  all  those  who  have  dwindled  in  unbelief,  shall  not 
be  forgotten; 

84  For  those  who  shall  be  destroyed  shall  speak  unto  them 
out  of  the  ground,  and  their  speech  shall  be  low  out  of  the 
dust,  and  their  voice  shall  be  as  one  that  hath  a  familiar 
spirit; 

85  For  the  Lord  God  will  give  unto  him  power,  that  he  may 
whisper  concerning  them,  even  as  it  were  out  of  the  ground; 
and  their  speech  shall  whisper  out  of  the  dust. 

86  For  thus  saith  the  Lord  God:  They  shall  write  the 
things  which  shall  be  done  among  them,  and  they  shall  be 
written  and  sealed  up  in  a  book,  and  those  who  have  dwindled 
in  unbelief  shall  not  have  them,  for  they  seek  to  destroy  the 
things  of  God; 

87  Wherefore,  as  those  who  have  been  destroyed,  have  been 
destroyed  speedily:  and  the  multitude  of  their  terrible  ones 
shall  be  as  chaff  that  passeth  away. 

88  Yea,  thus  saith  the  Lord  God:  It  shall  be  at  an  in- 
stant, suddenly. 

89  ^And  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  those  who  have  dwin- 
dled in  unbelief,  shall  be  smitten  by  the  hand  of  the  Gentiles. 

90  And  the  Gentiles  are  lifted  up  in  the  pride  of  their  eyes, 
and  have  stumbled,  because  of  the  greatness  of  their  stum- 
bling block,  that  they  have  built  up  many  churches; 

91  Nevertheless  they  put  down  the  power  and  the  miracles 
of  God,  and  preach  up  unto  themselves,  their  own  wisdom, 
and  their  own  learning,  that  they  may  get  gain,  and  grind 
upon  the  face  of  the  poor; 

92  And  there  are  many  churches  built  up  which  cause  envy- 
ings,  and  strifes,  and  malice; 


CHAP.  11.]        SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  147 

93  And  there  are  also  secret  combinations,  even  as  in  times 
of  old,  according  to  the  combinations  of  the  devil,  for  he  is 
the  foundation  of  all  these  things;  yea,  the  foundation  of 
murder,  and  works  of  darkness; 

94  Yea,  and  he  leadeth  them  by  the  neck  with  a  flaxen 
cord,  until  he  bindeth  them  with  his  strong  cords  for  ever. 

95  ^For  behold,  my  beloved  brethren,  I  say  unto  you,  that 
the  Lord  God  worketh  not  in  darkness. 

96  He  doeth  not  anything  save  it  be  for  the  benefit  of  the 
world;  for  he  loveth  the  world,  even  that  he  layeth  down  his 
own  life,  that  he  may  draw  all  men  unto  him. 

97  Wherefore,  he  commandeth  none  that  they  shall  not  par- 
take of  his  salvation. 

98  Behold,  doth  he  cry  unto  any,  saying,  Depart  from  me? 

99  Behold,  I  say  unto  you,  Nay;  but  he  saith,  Come  unto 
me  all  ye  ends  of  the  earth,  buy  milk  and  honey,  without 
money  and  without  price. 

100  Behold,  hath  he  commanded  any  that  they  should  de- 
part out  of  the  synagogues,  or  out  of  the  houses  of  worship? 

101  Behold,  I  say  unto  you.  Nay. 

102  Hath  he  commanded  any  that  they  should  not  partake 
of  his  salvation? 

103  Behold,  I  say  unto  you,  Nay;  but  he  hath  given  it  free 
for  all  men;  and  he  hath  commanded  his  people  that  they 
should  persuade  all  men  to  repentance. 

104  Behold,  hath  the  Lord  commanded  any  that  they  should 
not  partake  of  his  goodness? 

105  Behold,  I  say  unto  you.  Nay;  but  all  men  are  privileged 
the  one  like  unto  the  other,  and  none  are  forbidden. 

106  He  commandeth  that  there  shall  be  no  priestcrafts;  for, 
behold,  priestcrafts  are  that  men  preach  and  set  themselves 
up  for  a  light  unto  the  world,  that  they  may  get  gain,  and 
praise  of  the  world;  but  they  seek  not  the  welfare  of  Zion. 

107  Behold,  the  Lord  hath  forbidden  this  thing;  where- 
fore, the  Lord  God  hath  given  a  commandment,  that  all  men 
should  have  charity,  which  charity  is  love. 

108  And  except  they  should  have  charity,  they  were  noth- 


148  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.        [chap.  11. 

ing:  wherefore,  if  they  should  have  charity,  they  would  not 
suffer  the  laborer  in  Zion  to  perish. 

109  But  the  laborer  in  Zion  shall  labor  for  Zion;  for  if 
they  labor  for  money,  they  shall  perish. 

110  And,  again,  the  Lord  God  hath  commanded  that  men 
should  not  murder;  that  they  should  not  lie;  that  they  should 
not  steal;  that  they  should  not  take  the  name  of  the  Lord 
their  God  in  vain;  that  they  should  not  envy;  that  they  should 
not  have  malice;  that  they  should  not  contend  one  with  an- 
other; that  they  should  not  commit  whoredoms;  and  that  they 
should  do  none  of  these  things; 

111  For  whoso  doeth  them  shall  perish;  for  none  of  these 
iniquities  come  of  the  Lord;  for  he  doeth  that  which  is  good 
among  the  children  of  men; 

112  And  he  doeth  nothing  save  it  be  plain  unto  the  children 
of  men; 

113  And  he  inviteth  them  all  to  come  unto  him,  and  partake 
of  his  goodness; 

114  And  he  denieth  none  that  come  unto  him,  black  and 
white,  bond  and  free,  male  and  female; 

115  And  he  remembereth  the  heathen,  and  all  are  alike 
unto  God,  both  Jew  and  Gentile. 

I  116  But  behold,  in  the  last  days,  or  in  the  days  of  the  Gen- 
tiles; yea,  behold  all  the  nations  of  the  Gentiles,  and  also  the 
Jews,  both  those  who  shall  come  upon  this  land,  and  those 
who  shall  be  upon  other  lands;  yea,  even  upon  all  the  lands 
of  the  earth;  behold,  they  will  be  drunken  with  iniquity,  and 
all  manner  of  abominations; 

117  And  when  that  day  shall  come,  they  shall  be  visited 
of  the  Lord  of  hosts,  with  thunder  and  with  earthquake,  and 
with  a  great  noise,  and  with  storm  and  with  tempest,  and 
with  the  flame  of  devouring  fire; 

118  And  all  the  nations  that  fight  against  Zion,  and  that 
distress  her,  shall  be  as  a  dream  of  a  night  vision; 

119  Yea,  it  shall  be  unto  them  even  as  unto  a  hungry  man, 
which  dreameth,  and  behold  he  eateth,  but  he  awaketh  and  his 
soul  is  empty; 

120  Or  like  unto  a  thirsty  man  which  dreameth,  and  behold 


CHAP.  11.]        SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  U9 

he  drinketh,  but  he  awaketh,  and  behold  he  is  faint,  and  his 
soul  hath .  appetite : 

121  Yea,  even  so  shall  the  multitude  of  all  the  nations  be 
that  fight  against  mount  Zion: 

122  For  behold,  all  ye  that  do  iniquity,  stay  yourselves  and 
wonder;  for  ye  shall  cry  out,  and  cry,  yea,  ye  shall  be  drunk- 
en, but  not  with  wine;  ye  shall  stagger,  but  not  with  strong 
drink ; 

123  For  behold,  the  Lord  hath  poured  out  upon  you  the 
spirit  of  deep  sleep. 

124  For  behold,  ye  have  closed  your  eyes,  and  ye  have  re- 
jected the  prophets,  and  your  rulers,  and  the  seers  hath  he 
covered  because  of  your  iniquity. 

125  flAnd  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  the  Lord  God  shall 
bring  forth  unto  you  the  words  of  a  book,  and  they  shall  be 
the  words  of  them  which  have  slumbered. 

126  And  behold  the  book  shall  be  sealed:  and  in  the  book 
shall  be  a  revelation  from  God,  from  the  beginning  of  the 
world  to  the  ending  thereof. 

127  Wherefore,  because  of  the  things  which  are  sealed  up, 
the  things  which  are  sealed,  shall  not  be  delivered  in  the  day 
01  the  wickedness  and  abominations  of  the  people. 

128  Wherefore  the  book  shall  be  kept  from  them. 

129  But  the  book  shall  be  delivered  unto  a  man,  and  he 
shall  deliver  the  words  of  the  book,  which  are  the  words  of 
those  who  have  slumbered  in  the  dust;  and  he  shall  deliver 
these  words  unto  another;  but  the  words  which  are  sealed, 
he  shall  not  deliver,  neither  shall  he  deliver  the  book. 

130  For  the  book  shall  be  sealed  by  the  power  of  God,  and 
the  revelation  which  was  sealed,  shall  be  kept  in  the  book  until 
the  own  due  time  of  the  Lord,  that  they  may  come  forth :  for, 
behold,  they  reveal  all  things  from  the  foundation  of  the 
world  unto  the  end  thereof. 

131  And  the  day  cometh  that  the  words  of  the  book  which 
were  sealed,  shall  be  read  upon  the  housetops;  and  they  shall 
be  read  by  the  power  of  Christ; 

132  And  all  things  shall  be  revealed  unto  the  children  of 


150  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.        [chap.  11. 

men  which  ever  have  been  among  the  children  of  men,  and 
which  ever  will  be,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  earth.. 

133  Wherefore,  at  that  day  when  the  book  shall  be  de- 
livered unto  the  man  of  whom  I  have  spoken,  the  book  shall 
be  hid  from  the  eyes  of  the  world,  that  the  eyes  of  none  shall 
behold  it,  save  it  be  that  three  witnesses  shall  behold  it,  by 
the  power  of  God,  besides  him  to  whom  the  book  shall  be  de- 
livered; and  they  shall  testify  to  the  truth  of  the  book  and 
the  things  therein. 

134  And  there  is  none  other  which  shall  view  it,  save  it  be 
a  few,  according  to  the  will  of  God,  to  bear  testimony  of  his 
word  unto  the  cnildren  of  men:  for  the  Lord  God  hath  said, 
that  the  words  of  the  faithful  should  speak  as  if  it  were  from 
the  dead. 

135  Wherefore,  the  Lord  God  will  proceed  to  bring  forth 
the  words  of  the  book;  and  in  the  mouth  of  as  many  wit- 
nesses as  seemeth  him  good,  will  he  establish  his  word;  and 
wo  be  unto  him  that  rejecteth  the  word  of  God. 

136  ^But  behold,  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  the  Lord  God 
shall  say  unto  him  to  whom  he  shall  deliver  the  book.  Take 
these  words  which  are  not  sealed,  and  deliver  them  to  another, 
that  he  may  shew  them  unto  the  learned,  saying,  Read  this, 
I  pray  thee. 

137  And  the  learned  shall  say,  Bring  hither  the  book,  and 
I  will  read  them: 

138  And  now,  because  of  the  glory  of  the  world,  and  to  get 
gain,  will  they  say  this,  and  not  for  the  glory  of  God. 

139  And  the  man  shall  say,  I  can  not  bring  the  book,  for 
it  is  sealed. 

140  Then  shall  the  learned  say,  I  can  not  read  it. 

141  Wherefore  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  the  Lord  God 
will  deliver  again  the  book  and  the  words  thereof,  to  him  that 
is  not  learned;  and  the  man  that  is  not  learned,  shall  say,  I 
am  not  learned. 

142  Then  shall  the  Lord  God  say  unto  him,  The  learned 
shall  not  read  them,  for  they  have  rejected  them,  and  I  am 
able  to  do  mine  own  work;  wherefore,  thou  shalt  read  the 
words  which  I  shall  give  unto  thee. 


CHAP.  11.]         SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  151 

143  Touch  not  the  things  which  are  sealed,  for  I  will  bring 
them  forth  in  mine  own  due  time:  for  I  will  shew  unto  the 
children  of  men,  that  I  am  able  to  do  mine  own  work, 

144  Wherefore,  when  thou  hast  read  the  words  which  I 
have  commanded  thee,  and  obtained  the  witnesses  which  I 
have  promised  unto  thee,  then  shalt  thou  seal  up  the  book 
again,  and  hide  it  up  unto  me,  that  I  may  preserve  the  words 
which  thou  hast  not  read,  until  I  shall  see  fit  in  mine  own  wis- 
dom, to  reveal  all  things  unto  the  children  of  men. 

145  For  behold,  I  am  God;  and  I  am  a  God  of  miracles; 
and  I  will  shew  unto  the  world  that  I  am  the  same  yesterday, 
to-day,  and  for  ever;  and  I  work  not  among  the  children  of 
men,  save  it  be  according  to  their  faith. 

146  ^And  again  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  the  Lord  shall 
say  unto  him  that  shall  read  the  words  that  shall  be  delivered 
him.  Forasmuch  as  this  people  draw  near  unto  me  with  their 
mouth,  and  with  their  lips  do  honor  me,  but  have  removed 
their  hearts  far  from  me,  and  their  fear  towards  me  is  taught 
by  the  precepts  of  men,  therefore,  I  will  proceed  to  do  a 
marvelous  work  among  this  people; 

147  Yea,  a  marvelous  work,  and  a  wonder,  for  the  wisdom 
of  their  wise  and  learned  shall  perish,  and  the  understanding 
of  their  prudent  shall  be  hid. 

148  And  wo  unto  them  that  seek  deep  to  hide  their  counsel 
from  the  Lord. 

149  And  their  works  are  in  the  dark;  and  they  say.  Who 
seeth  us;   and  who  knoweth  us? 

150  And  they  also  say.  Surely,  your  turning  of  things  up- 
side down,  shall  be  esteemed  as  the  potter's  clay. 

151  But  behold,  I  will  shew  unto  them,  saith  the  Lord  of 
hosts,  that  I  know  all  their  works. 

152  For  shall  the  work  say  of  him  that  made  it.  He  made 
me  not? 

153  Or  shall  the  thing  framed  say  of  him  that  framed  it, 
He  had  no  understanding? 

154  But  behold,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts,  I  will  shew  unto 
the  children  of  men,  that  it  is  not  yet  a  very  little  while,  and 


152  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.        [chap.  12. 

Lebanon  shall  be  turned  into  a  fruitful  field;    and  the  fruitful 
field  shall  be  esteemed  as  a  forest. 

155  And  in  that  day  shall  the  deaf  hear  the  words  of  the 
book;  and  the  eyes  of  the  blind  shall  see  out  of  obscurity  and 
out  of  darkness: 

156  And  the  meek  also  shall  increase,  and  their  joy  shall 
be  in  the  Lord;  and  the  poor  among  men  shall  rejoice  in  the 
Holy  One  of  Israel. 

157  For  assuredly  as  the  Lord  liveth,  they  shall  see  that 
the  terrible  one  is  brought  to  nought,  and  the  scorner  is  con- 
sumed, and  all  that  watch  for  iniquity  are  cut  off;  and  they 
that  make  a  man  an  offender  for  a  word,  and  lay  a  snare  for 
him  that  reproveth  in  the  gate,  and  turn  aside  the  just  for  a 
thing  of  nought. 

158  Therefore  thus  saith  the  Lord,  who  redeemed  Abra- 
ham, concerning  the  house  of  Jacob,  Jacob  shall  not  now  be 
ashamed,  neither  shall  his  face  now  wax  pale. 

159  But  when  he  seeth  his  children,  the  work  of  my  hands, 
in  the  midst  of  him,  they  shall  sanctify  my  name,  and  sanc- 
tify the  Holy  One  of  Jacob,  and  shall  fear  the  God  of  Israel. 

160  They  also  that  erred  in  spirit  shall  come  to  under- 
standing, and  they  that  murmured  shall  learn  doctrine. 


CHAPTER    12. 

l^And  now,  behold,  my  brethren,  I  have  spoken  unto  you 
according  as  the  Spirit  hath  constrained  me;  wherefore,  I 
know  that  they  must  surely  come  to  pass. 

2  And  the  things  which  shall  be  written  out  of  the  book 
shall  be  of  great  worth  unto  the  children  of  men,  and  espe- 
cially unto  our  seed,  which  is  a  remnant  of  the  house  of  Israel. 

3  For  it  shall  come  to  pass  in  that  day,  that  the  churches 
which  are  built  up,  and  not  unto  the  Lord,  when  the  one  shall 
say  unto  the  other.  Behold,  I,  I  am  the  Lord's;  and  the  other 
shall  say,  I,  I  am  the  Lord's. 

4  And  thus  shall  every  one  say,  that  hath  built  up  churches, 
and  not  unto  the  Lord; 


CHAP.  12.]        SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  153 

5  And  they  shall  contend  one  with  another;  and  their 
priests  shall  contend  one  with  another;  and  they  shall  teach 
with  their  learning,  and  deny  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  giveth 
utterance. 

6  And  they  deny  the  power  of  God,  the  Holy  One  of  Israel; 
and  they  say  unto  the  people,  Hearken  unto  us,  and  hear  ye 
our  precept; 

7  For  behold,  there  is  no  God  to-day,  for  the  Lord  and  the 
Redeemer  hath  done  his  work,  and  he  hath  given  his  power 
unto  men. 

8  Behold,  hearken  ye  unto  my  precept:  if  they  shall  say 
there  is  a  miracle  wrought,  by  the  hand  of  the  Lord,  believe 
it  not;  for  this  day  he  is  not  a  God  of  miracles;  he  hath 
done  his  work. 

9  Yea,  and  there  shall  be  many  which  shall  say,  Eat,  drink, 
and  be  merry,  for  to-morrow  we  die:  and  it  shall  be  well 
with  us. 

10  And  there  shall  also  be  many  which  shall  say.  Eat, 
drink,  and  be  merry;  nevertheless,  fear  God,  he  will  justify 
in  committing  a  little  sin :  yea,  lie  a  little,  take  the  advantage 
of  one  because  of  his  words,  dig  a  pit  for  thy  neighbor;  there 
is  no  harm  in  this. 

11  And  do  all  these  things,  for  to-morrow  we  die;  and  if 
it  so  be  that  we  are  guilty,  God  will  beat  us  with  a  few 
stripes,  and  at  last  we  shall  be  saved  in  the  kingdom  of  God. 

12  Yea,  and  there  shall  be  many  which  shall  teach  after 
this  manner,  false,  and  vain,  and  foolish  doctrines,  and  shall 
be  puffed  up  in  their  hearts,  and  shall  seek  deep  to  hide  their 
counsels  from  the  Lord;  and  their  works  shall  be  in  the  dark; 
and  the  blood  of  the  saints  shall  cry  from  the  ground  against 
them. 

13  Yea,  they  have  all  gone  out  of  the  way;  they  have  be- 
come corrupted. 

14  Because  of  pride,  and  because  of  false  teachers,  and 
false  doctrine,  their  churches  have  become  corrupted;  and 
their  churches  are  lifted  up;  because  of  pride,  they  are 
puffed  up. 

15  They  rob  the  poor,  because  of  their   fine  sanctuaries; 


154  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.         [chap.  12. 

they  rob  the  poor,  because  of  their  fine  clothing;  and  they 
persecute  the  meek,  and  the  poor  in  heart;  because  in  their 
pride,  they  are  puffed  up. 

16  They  wear  stiff  necks  and  high  heads;  yea,  and  be- 
cause of  pride,  and  wickedness,  and  abominations,  and  whore- 
doms, they  have  all  gone  astray,  save  it  be  a  few,  who  are 
the  humble  followers  of  Christ; 

17  Nevertheless,  they  are  led,  that  in  many  instances  they 
do  err,  because  they  are  taught  by  the  precepts  of  men. 

18  ^0  the  wise,  and  the  learned,  and  the  rich,  that  are 
puffed  up  in  the  pride  of  their  hearts,  and  all  those  who 
preach  false  doctrines,  and  all  those  who  commit  whoredoms, 
and  pervert  the  right  way  of  the  Lord;  wo,  wo,  wo  be  unto 
them,  saith  the  Lord  God  Almighty,  for  they  shall  be  thrust 
down  to  hell. 

19  ^Wo  unto  them  that  turn  aside  the  just  for  a  thing  of 
nought,  and  revile  against  that  which  is  good,  and  say  that 
it  is  of  no  worth: 

20  For  the  day  shall  come  that  the  Lord  God  will  speedily 
visit  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth;  and  in  that  day  that  they 
are  fully  ripe  in  iniquity,  they  shall  perish. 

21  But  behold,  if  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  shall  repent 
of  their  wickedness  and  abominations,  they  shall  not  be  de- 
stroyed, saith  the  Lord  of  hosts. 

22  But  behold,  that  great  and  abominable  church,  the  whore 
of  all  the  earth,  must  tumble  to  the  earth;  and  great  must 
be  the  fall  thereof: 

23  For  the  kingdom  of  the  devil  must  shake,  and  they 
which  belong  to  it  must  needs  be  stirred  up  unto  repentance, 
or  the  devil  will  grasp  them  with  his  everlasting  chains,  and 
they  be  stirred  up  to  anger  and  perish: 

24  For  behold,  at  that  day  shall  he  rage  in  the  hearts  of 
the  children  of  men,  and  stir  them  up  to  anger  against  that 
which  is  good; 

25  And  others  will  he  pacify,  and  lull  them  away  into  car- 
nal security,  that  they  will  say,  All  is  well  in  Zion;  yea,  Zion 
prospereth,  all  is  well; 


CHAP.  12.]         SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  151 

26  And  thus  the  devil  cheateth  their  souls,  and  leadeth 
them  away  carefully  down  to  hell. 

27  And  behold,  others  he  flattereth  away,  and  telleth  them 
there  is  no  hell;  and  he  saith  unto  them,  I  am  no  devil,  for 
there  is  none: 

28  And  thus  he  whispereth  in  their  ears,  until  he  grasps 
them  with  his  awful  chains,  from  whence  there  is  no  de- 
liverance. 

29  Yea,  they  are  grasped  with  death  and  hell;  and  death, 
and  hell,  and  the  devil,  and  all  that  have  been  seized  there- 
with, must  stand  before  the  throne  of  God  and  be  judged  ac- 
cording to  their  works,  from  whence  they  must  go  into  the 
place  prepared  for  them,  even  a  lake  of  fire  and  brimstone, 
which  is  endless  torment. 

30  Therefore,  wo  be  unto  him  that  is  at  ease  in  Zion. 

31  Wo  be  unto  him  that  crieth.  All  is  well;  yea,  wo  be  unto 
him  that  hearkeneth  unto  the  precepts  of  men,  and  denieth 
the  power  of  God,  and  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

32  Yea,  wo  be  unto  him  that  saith,  We  have  received,  and 
we  need  no  more. 

33  And  in  fine,  wo  unto  all  those  who  tremble,  and  are 
angry  because  of  the  truth  of  God. 

34  For  behold,  he  that  is  built  upon  the  rock,  receiveth  it 
with  gladness:  and  he  that  is  built  upon  a  sandy  foundation, 
trembleth,  lest  he  shall  fall. 

35  ^Wo  be  unto  him  that  shall  say.  We  have  received  the 
word  of  God,  and  we  need  no  more  of  the  word  of  God,  for 
we  have  enough. 

36  For  behold,  thus  saith  the  Lord  God:  I  will  give  unto 
the  children  of  men  line  upon  line,  precept  upon  precept,  here 
a  little  and  there  a  little: 

37  And  blessed  are  those  who  hearken  unto  my  precepts, 
and  lend  an  ear  unto  my  counsel,  for  they  shall  learn  wisdom ; 

38  For  unto  him  that  receiveth,  I  will  give  more:  and  from 
them  that  shall  say.  We  have  enough,  shall  be  taken  away 
even  that  which  they  have. 

39  Cursed  is  he  that  putteth  his  trust  in  man,  or  maketh 
flesh  his  arm,  or  shall  hearken  unto  the  precepts  of  men,  save 


156  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.         [chap.  12. 

their  precepts  shall  be  given  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

40  ^Wo  be  unto  the  Gentiles,  saith  the  Lord  God  of  hosts; 
for  notwithstanding  I  shall  lengthen  out  mine  arm  unto  them 
from  day  to  day,  they  will  deny  me; 

41  Nevertheless,  I  will  be  merciful  unto  them,  saith  the 
Lord  God,  if  they  will  repent  and  come  unto  me;  for  mine 
arm  is  lengthened  out  all  the  day  long,  saith  the  Lord  God  of 
hosts. 

42  ^But  behold,  there  shall  be  many  at  that  day,  when  I 
shall  proceed  to  do  a  marvelous  work  among  them,  that  I  may 
remember  my  covenants  which  I  have  made  unto  the  children 
of  men,  that  I  may  set  my  hand  again  the  second  time  to 
recover  my  people,  which  are  of  the  house  of  Israel; 

43  And  also,  that  I  may  remember  the  promises  which  I 
have  made  unto  thee,  Nephi,  and  also  unto  thy  father,  that  I 
would  remember  your  seed;  and  that  the  words  of  your  seed 
should  proceed  forth  out  of  my  mouth  unto  your  seed. 

44  And  my  words  shall  hiss  forth  unto  the  ends  of  the 
earth,  for  a  standard  unto  my  people,  which  are  of  the  house 
of  Israel. 

45  And  because  my  words  shall  hiss  forth,  many  of  the 
Gentiles  shall  say,  A  bible,  a  bible,  we  have  got  a  bible,  and 
there  can  not  be  any  more  bible. 

46  But  thus  saith  the  Lord  God:  O  fools,  they  shall  have 
a  bible;  and  it  shall  proceed  forth  from  the  Jews,  mine  an- 
cient covenant  people. 

47  And  what  thank  they  the  Jev/s  for  the  bible  which  they 
received  from  them? 

48  Yea,  what  do  the  Gentiles  mean? 

49  Do  they  remember  the  travels,  and  the  labors,  and  the 
pains  of  the  Jews,  and  their  diligence  unto  me,  in  bringing 
forth  salvation  unto  the  Gentiles? 

50  1|0  ye  Gentiles,  have  ye  remembered  the  Jews,  mine 
ancient  covenant  people? 

51  Nay;  but  ye  have  cursed  them,  and  have  hated  them, 
and  have  not  sought  to  recover  them. 

52  But  behold,  I  will  return  all  these  things  upon  your  own 
heads;    for  I,  the  Lord,  hath  not  forgotten  my  people. 


CHAP.  12.]         SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  157 

53  Thou  fool,  that  shall  say,  A  bible,  we  have  got  a  bible, 
and  we  need  no  more  bible. 

54  Have  ye  obtained  a  bible,  save  it  were  by  the  Jews? 

55  Know  ye  not  that  there  are  more  nations  than  one? 

56  Know  ye  not  that  I,  the  Lord  your  God,  have  created  all 
men,  and  that  I  remember  those  who  are  upon  the  isles  of 
the  sea;  and  that  I  rule  in  the  heavens  above,  and  in  the 
earth  beneath; 

57  And  I  bring  forth  my  word  unto  the  children  of  men, 
yea,  even  upon  all  the  nations  of  the  earth? 

58  Wherefore  murmur  ye,  because  that  ye  shall  receive 
more  of  my  word? 

59  Know  ye  not  that  the  testimony  of  two  nations  is  a 
witness  unto  you  that  I  am  God,  that  I  remember  one  nation 
like  unto  another? 

60  Wherefore,  I  speak  the  same  words  unto  one  nation  like 
unto  another. 

61  And  when  the  two  nations  shall  run  together,  the  testi- 
mony of  the  two  nations  shall  run  together  also. 

62  And  I  do  this  that  I  may  prove  unto  many,  that  I  am 
the  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever;  and  that  I  speak 
forth  my  words  according  to  mine  own  pleasure. 

63  And  because  that  I  have  spoken  one  word,  ye  need  not 
suppose  that  I  can  not  speak  another;  for  my  work  is  not 
yet  finished;  neither  shall  it  be,  until  the  end  of  man;  neither 
from  that  time  henceforth  and  for  ever. 

64  ^Wherefore,  because  that  ye  have  a  bible,  ye  need  not 
suppose  that  it  contains  all  my  words;  neither  need  ye  sup- 
pose that  I  have  not  caused  more  to  be  written : 

65  For  I  command  all  men,  both  in  the  east,  and  in  the 
west,  and  in  the  north,  and  in  the  south,  and  in  the  islands 
of  the  sea,  that  they  shall  write  the  words  which  I  speak  unto 
them: 

66  For  out  of  the  books  which  shall  be  written,  I  will  judge 
the  world,  every  man  according  to  their  works,  according  to 
that  which  is  written. 

67  For  behold,  I  shall  speak  unto  the  Jews,  and  they  shall 
write  it: 


158  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.         [chap.  12. 

6S  And  I  shall  also  speak  unto  the  Nephites,  and  they  shall 
write  it; 

69  And  I  shall  also  speak  unto  the  other  tribes  of  the  house 
of  Israel,  which  I  have  led  away,  and  they  shall  write  it; 

70  And  I  shall  also  speak  unto  all  nations  of  the  earth, 
and  they  shall  write  it. 

71  TJAnd  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  the  Jews  shall  have  the 
words  of  the  Nephites,  and  the  Nephites  shall  have  the  words 
of  the  Jews : 

72  And  the  Nephites  and  the  Jews  shall  have  the  words  of 
the  lost  tribes  of  Israel;  and  the  lost  tribes  of  Israel  shall 
have  the  words  of  the  Nephites  and  the  Jews. 

73  TJAnd  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  my  people  which  are  of 
the  house  of  Israel,  shall  be  gathered  home  unto  the  lands  of 
their  possessions;    and  my  word  also  shall  be  gathered  in  one. 

74  And  I  will  shew  unto  them  that  fight  against  my  word 
and  against  my  people,  who  are  of  the  house  of  Israel,  that 
I  am  God,  and  that  I  covenanted  with  Abraham,  that  I  would 
remember  his  seed  for  ever. 

75  TJAnd  now,  behold,  my  beloved  brethren,  I  would  speak 
unto  you:  for  I,  Nephi,  would  not  suffer  that  ye  should  sup- 
pose that  ye  are  more  righteous  than  the  Gentiles  shall  be. 

76  For  behold,  except  ye  shall  keep  the  commandments  of 
God  ye  shall  all  likewise  perish;  and  because  of  the  words 
which  have  been  spoken  ye  need  not  suppose  that  the  Gentiles 
are  utterly  destroyed. 

77  For  behold,  I  say  unto  you,  That  as  many  of  the  Gen- 
tiles as  will  repent,  are  the  covenant  people  of  the  Lord;  and 
as  many  of  the  Jews  as  will  not  repent,  shall  be  cast  off; 

78  For  the  Lord  covenanteth  with  none,  save  it  be  with 
them  that  repent  and  believe  in  his  Son,  who  is  the  Holy  One 
of  Israel. 

79  TJAnd  now,  I  would  prophesy  somewhat  more  concerning 
the  Jews  and  the  Gentiles. 

80  For  after  the  book  of  which  I  have  spoken  shall  come 
forth,  and  be  written  unto  the  Gentiles,  and  sealed  up  again 
unto  the  Lord,  there  shall  be  many  which  shall  believe  the 


CHAP.  12.]         SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  159 

words  which  are  written;    and  they  shall  carry  them  forth 
unto  the  remnant  of  our  seed. 

81  And  then  shall  the  remnant  of  our  seed  know  concerning 
us,  how  that  we  came  out  from  Jerusalem,  and  that  they  are 
descendants  of  the  Jews. 

82  And  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  shall  be  declared  among 
them;  wherefore,  they  shall  be  restored  unto  the  knowledge 
of  their  fathers,  and  also  to  the  knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ, 
which  was  had  among  their  fathers. 

83  And  then  shall  they  rejoice;  for  they  shall  know  that  it 
is  a  blessing  unto  them  from  the  hand  of  God; 

84  And  their  scales  of  darkness  shall  begin  to  fall  from 
their  eyes:  and  many  generations  shall  not  pass  away  among 
them,  save  they  shall  be  a  white  and  a  delightsome  people. 

85  IJAnd  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  the  Jews  which  are 
scattered,  also  shall  begin  to  believe  in  Christ :  and  they  shall 
begin  to  gather  in  upon  the  face  of  the  land; 

86  And  as  many  r.s  shall  believe  in  Christ,  shall  also  be- 
come a  delightsome  people. 

87  ^And  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  the  Lord  God  shall  com- 
mence his  work,  among  all  nations,  kindreds,  tongues,  and 
people,  to  bring  about  the  restoration  of  his  people  upon  the 
earth. 

88  And  with  righteousness  shall  the  Lord  God  judge  the 
poor,  and  reprove  with  equity,  for  the  meek  of  the  earth. 

89  And  he  shall  smite  the  earth  with  the  rod  of  his  mouth; 
and  with  the  breath  of  his  lips  shall  he  slay  the  wicked; 

90  For  the  tim.e  speedily  cometh,  that  the  Lord  God  shall 
cause  a  great  division  among  the  people;  and  the  wicked  will 
he  destroy;  and  he  will  spare  his  people,  yea,  even  if  it  so  be 
that  he  must  destroy  the  wicked  by  fire. 

91  And  righteouspess  shall  be  the  girdle  of  his  loins,  and 
faithfulness  the  girdle  of  his  reins. 

92  And  then  shall  the  wolf  dwell  with  the  lamb,  and  the 
leopard  shall  lie  down  with  the  kid;  and  the  calf,  and  the 
young  lion,  and  the  fatling,  together;  and  a  little  child  shall 
lead  them. 

93  And  the  cow  and  the  bear  shall  feed;    their  young  ones 


160  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.         [chap.  13. 

shall  lie  down  together;    and  the  lion  shall  eat  straw  like  the 
ox. 

94  And  the  sucking  child  shall  play  on  the  hole  of  the  asp, 
and  the  weaned  child  shall  put  his  hand  on  the  cockatrice's 
den. 

95  They  shall  not  hurt  nor  destroy  in  all  my  holy  moun- 
tain; for  the  earth  shall  be  full  of  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord, 
as  the  waters  cover  the  sea. 

96  Wherefore,  the  things  of  all  nations  shall  be  made 
known:  yea,  all  things  shall  be  made  known  unto  the  chil- 
dren of  men. 

97  There  is  nothing  which  is  secret,  save  it  shall  be  re- 
vealed; there  is  no  work  of  darkness,  save  it  shall  be  made 
manifest  in  the  light;  and  there  is  nothing  which  is  sealed 
upon  the  earth,  save  it  shall  be  loosed. 

98  Wherefore,  all  things  which  have  been  revealed  unto 
the  children  of  men,  shall  at  that  day  be  revealed; 

99  And  Satan  shall  have  power  over  the  hearts  of  the  chil- 
dren of  men  no  more,  for  a  long  time. 

100  And  now  my  beloved  brethren,  I  must  make  an  end 
of  my  sayings. 


CHAPTER    13. 

1  TJAnd  now  I,  Nephi,  make  an  end  of  my  prophesying  unto 
you,  my  beloved  brethren. 

2  And  I  can  not  write  but  a  few  things,  which  I  know  must 
surely  come  to  pass;  neither  can  I  write  but  a  few  of  the 
words  of  my  brother  Jacob. 

3  Wherefore  the  things  which  I  have  written,  sufficeth  me, 
save  it  be  a  few  words  which  I  must  speak,  concerning  the 
doctrine  of  Christ;  wherefore  I  shall  speak  unto  you  plainly, 
according  to  the  plainness  of  my  prophesying. 

4  For  my  soul  delighteth  in  plainness:  for  after  this  man- 
ner doth  the  Lord  God  work  among  the  children  of  men. 

5  For  the  Lord  God  giveth  light  unto  the  understanding: 
for  he  speaketh  unto  men  according  to  their  language,  unto 
their  understanding. 


CHAP.  13.]         SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  16(1 

6  Wherefore,  I  would  that  ye  should  remember  that  I  have 
spoken  unto  you,  concerning  that  prophet  which  the  Lord 
shewed  unto  me,  that  should  baptize  the  Lamb  of  God,  which 
should  take  away  the  sin  of  the  world. 

7  ^And  now,  if  the  Lamb  of  God,  he  being  holy,  should  have 
need  to  be  baptized  by  water  to  fulfill  all  righteousness,  O 
then,  how  much  more  need  have  we,  being  unholy,  to  be  bap- 
tized, yea,  even  by  water. 

8  And  now,  I  would  ask  of  you,  my  beloved  brethren, 
wherein  the  Lamb  of  God  did  fulfill  all  righteousness  in  be- 
ing baptized  by  water?     Know  ye  not  that  he  was  holy? 

9  But  notwithstanding  he  being  holy,  he  sheweth  unto  the 
children  of  men,  that  according  to  the  flesh,  he  humbleth  him- 
self before  the  Father,  and  witnesseth  unto  the  Father  that 
he  would  be  obedient  unto  him  in  keeping  his  commandments; 

10  Wherefore,  after  he  was  baptized  with  water,  the  Holy 
Ghost  descended  upon  him  in  the  form  of  a  dove. 

11  And  again:  It  sheweth  unto  the  children  of  men  the 
straightness  of  the  path,  and  the  narrowness  of  the  gate,  by 
which  they  should  enter,  he  having  set  the  example  before 
them. 

12  And  he  said  unto  the  children  of  men,  Follow  thou  me. 

13  Wherefore,  my  beloved  brethren,  can  we  follow  Jesus, 
save  we  shall  be  willing  to  keep  the  commandments  of  the 
Father? 

14  And  the  Father  said,  Repent  ye,  repent  ye,  and  be  bap- 
tized in  the  name  of  my  beloved  Son. 

15  And  also,  the  voice  of  the  Son  came  unto  me,  saying. 
He  that  is  baptized  in  my  name,  to  him  will  the  Father  give 
the  Holy  Ghost,  like  unto  me;  wherefore,  follow  me,  and  do 
the  things  which  ye  have  seen  me  do. 

16  Wherefore,  my  beloved  brethren,  I  know  that  if  ye  shall 
follow  the  Son  with  full  purpose  of  heart,  acting  no  hypoc- 
risy and  no  deception  before  God,  but  with  real  intent,  re- 
penting of  your  sins,  witnessing  unto  the  Father  that  ye  are 
willing  to  take  upon  you  the  name  of  Christ,  by  baptism: 
yea,  by  following  your  Lord  and  your  Savior  dowri  into  the 


162  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.         [chap.  13. 

water,  according  to  his  word;  behold,  then  shall  ye  receive  the 
Holy  Ghost; 

17  Yea,  then  cometh  the  baptism  of  fire  and  of  the  Holy 
Ghost;  and  then  can  ye  speak  with  the  tongue  of  angels,  and 
shout  praises  unto  the  Holy  One  of  Israel. 

18  TJBut  behold,  my  beloved  brethren,  thus  came  the  voice 
f  the  Son  unto  me,  saying.  After  ye  have  repented  of  your 

sins,  and  witnessed  unto  the  Father  that  ye  are  willing  to 
keep  my  commandments,  by  the  baptism  of  water,  and  have 
received  the  baptism  of  fire  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  can 
speak  with  a  new  tongue,  yea,  even  with  the  tongue  of  angels, 
and  after  this,  should  deny  me,  it  would  have  been  better  for 
you,  that  ye  had  not  known  me. 

19  ^And  I  heard  a  voice  from  the  Father,  saying,  Yea, 
the  words  of  my  beloved,  are  true  and  faithful. 

20  He  that  endureth  to  the  end,  the  same  shall  be  saved. 

21  And  now,  my  beloved  brethren,  I  know  by  this,  that 
unless  a  man  shall  endure  to  the  end,  in  following  the  exam- 
ple of  the  Son  of  the  living  God,  he  can  not  be  saved; 

22  Wherefore,  do  the  things  which  I  have  told  you  I  have 
seen,  that  your  Lord  and  your  Redeemer  should  do: 

23  For,  for  this  cause  have  they  been  shewn  unto  me,  that 
ye  might  know  the  gate  by  which  ye  should  enter. 

24  For  the  gate  by  which  ye  should  enter  is  repentance 
and  baptism  by  water:  and  then  cometh  a  remission  of  your 
sins  by  fire,  and  by  the  Holy  Ghost. 

25  And  then  are  ye  in  this  straight  and  narrow  path  which 
leads  to  eternal  life;  yea,  ye  have  entered  in  by  the  gate;  ye 
have  done  according  to  the  commandments  of  the  Father  and 
the  Son; 

26  And  ye  have  received  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  witnesses 
of  the  Father  and  the  Son,  unto  the  fulfilling  of  the  promise 
which  he  hath  made,  that  if  ye  entered  in  by  the  way,  ye 
should  receive. 

27  ^And  now,  my  beloved  brethren,  after  ye  have  gotten 
into  this  straight  and  narrow  path,  I  would  ask,  if  all  is 
done? 

28  Behold,   I   say  unto  you,   Nay;    for  ye  have  not   come 


CHAP.  14.]         SECOIsiD    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  163 

thus  far,  save  it  were  by  the  word  of  Christ,  with  unshaken 
faith  in  him,  relying  wholly  upon  the  merits  of  him  who  is 
mighty  to  save; 

29  Wherefore,  ye  must  press  forward  with  a  steadfastness 
in  Christ,  having  a  perfect  brightness  of  hope,  and  a  love  of 
God  and  of  all  men. 

30  Wherefore,  if  ye  shall  press  forward,  feasting  upon  the 
word  of  Christ,  and  endure  to  the  end,  behold,  thus  saith  the 
Father:    Ye  shall  have  eternal  life. 

31  II And  now  behold,  my  beloved  bi-ethren,  this  is  the  way; 
and  there  is  none  other  way  nor  name  given  under  heaven, 
whereby  man  can  be  saved  in  the  kingdom  of  God. 

32  And  now  behold,  this  is  the  doctrine  of  Christ,  and  the 
only  and  true  doctrine  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  which  is  one  God,  without  end.    Amen. 


CHAPTER  14. 

1  ^And  now  behold,  my  beloved  brethren,  I  suppose  that  ye 
ponder  somewhat  in  your  hearts,  concerning  that  which  ye 
should  do,  after  ye  have  entered  in  by  the  way. 

2  But  behold,  why  do  ye  ponder  these  things  in  your 
hearts?  Do  ye  not  remember  that  I  said  unto  you,  that  after 
ye  had  received  the  Holy  Ghost,  ye  could  speak  with  the 
tongue  of  angels? 

3  And  now,  how  could  ye  speak  with  the  tongue  of  angels, 
save  it  were  by  the  Holy  Ghost?  Angels  speak  by  the  power 
of  the  Holy  Ghost;  wherefore,  they  speak  the  words  of 
Christ. 

4  Wherefore,  I  said  unto  you.  Feast  upon  the  words  of 
Christ;  for  behold  the  words  of  Christ  will  tell  you  all  things 
what  ye  should  do, 

5  Wherefore,  now  after  I  have  spoken  these  words,  if  ye 
can  not  understand  them,  it  will  be  because  ye  ask  not,  neither 
do  ye  knock;  wherefore,  ye  are  not  brought  into  the  light,  but 
must  perish  in  the  dark. 

6  For  behold,  again  I  say  unto  you,  that  if  ye  will  enter  in 


164  SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHL         [chap.  15. 

by  the  way  and  receive  the  Holy  Ghost,  it  will  shew  unto  you 
all  things  v/hat  ye  should  do. 

7  Behold,  this  the  doctrine  of  Christ;  and  there  will  be 
no  more  doctrine  given,  until  after  he  shall  manifest  himself 
unto  you  in  the  flesh. 

8  And  when  he  shall  manifest  himself  unto  you  in  the 
flesh,  the  things  which  he  shall  say  unto  you,  shall  ye  observe 
to  do. 

9  IJAnd  now  I,  Nephi,  can  not  say  more:  the  Spirit  stop- 
peth  mine  utterance,  and  I  am  left  to  mourn  because  of  the 
unbelief,  and  the  wickedness,  and  the  ignorance,  and  the  stiff- 
neckedness  of  men:  for  they  will  not  search  knowledge,  nor 
understand  great  knowledge,  when  it  is  given  unto  them  in 
plainness,  even  as  plain  as  word  can  be. 

10  ^And  now,  my  beloved  brethren,  I  perceive  that  ye  pon- 
der still  in  your  hearts;  and  it  grieveth  me  that  I  must  speak 
concerning  this  thmg. 

11  For  if  ye  would  hearken  unto  the  spirit  which  teacheth  a 
man  to  pray,  ye  would  know  that  ye  must  pray:  for  the  evil 
spirit  teacheth  not  a  man  to  pray,  but  teacheth  him  that  he 
must  not  pray. 

12  But  behold  I  say  unto  you,  that  ye  must  pray  always, 
and  not  faint:  that  ye  must  not  perform  anything  unto  the 
Lord,  save  in  the  first  place  ye  shall  pray  unto  the  Father  in 
the  name  of  Christ,  that  he  will  consecrate  thy  performance 
unto  thee,  that  thy  performance  may  be  for  the  welfare  of 
thy  soul. 


CHAPTER  15. 

1  ^And  now  I,  Nephi,  can  not  write  all  the  things  which 
were  taught  among  my  people;  neither  am  I  mighty  in  writ- 
ing, like  unto  speaking:  for  when  a  man  speaketh  by  the 
power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost  car- 
rieth  it  unto  the  hearts  of  the  children  of  men. 

2  But  behold,  there  are  many  that  harden  their  hearts 
against  the  Holy  Spirit,  that  it  hath  no  place  in  them;  where- 


CHAP.  15.]         SECOND    BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  165 

fore,   they  cast   many  things  away  which   are  written,   and 
esteem  them  as  things  of  nought. 

3  But  I,  Nephi,  have  written  what  I  have  written;  and  I 
esteem  it  as  of  great  worth,  and  especially  unto  my  people. 

4  For  I  pray  continually  for  them  by  day,  and  mine  eyes 
water  my  pillow  by  night,  because  of  them;  and  I  cry  unto 
my  God  in  faith,  and  I  know  that  he  will  hear  my  cry;  and 
I  know  that  the  Lord  God  will  consecrate  my  prayers,  for  the 
gain  of  my  people. 

5  And  the  words  which  I  have  written  in  weakness,  will 
he  make  strong  unto  them;  for  it  persuadeth  them  to  do 
good;  it  maketh  known  unto  them  of  their  fathers;  and  it 
speaketh  of  Jesus,  and  persuadeth  them  to  believe  in  him, 
and  to  endure  to  the  end,  which  is  life  eternal. 

6  And  it  speaketh  harsh  against  sin,  according  to  the 
plainness  of  the  truth;  wherefore,  no  man  will  be  angry  at 
the  words  which  I  have  written,  save  he  shall  be  of  the  spirit 
of  the  devil. 

7  I  glory  in  plainness;  I  glory  in  truth;  I  glory  in  my 
Jesus,  for  he  hath  redeemed  my  soul  from  hell. 

8  I  have  charity  for  my  people,  and  great  faith  in  Christ, 
that  I  shall  meet  many  souls  spotless  at  his  judgment  seat. 

9  I  have  charity  for  the  Jew:  I  say  Jew,  because  I  mean 
them  from  whence  I  came.  I  also  have  charity  for  the  Gen- 
tiles. 

10  But  behold,  for  none  of  these  can  I  hope,  except  they 
shall  be  reconciled  unto  Christ,  and  enter  into  the  narrow 
gate,  and  walk  in  the  straight  path,  which  leads  to  life,  and 
continue  in  the  path  until  the  end  of  the  day  of  probation. 

11  IJAnd  now,  my  beloved  brethren,  and  also  Jew,  and  all 
ye  ends  of  the  earth,  hearken  unto  these  words,  and  believe 
in  Christ;  and  if  ye  believe  not  in  these  words,  believe  in 
Christ. 

12  And  if  ye  shall  believe  in  Christ,  ye  will  believe  in  these 
words;  for  they  are  the  words  of  Christ,  and  he  hath  given 
them  unto  me;  and  they  teach  all  men  that  they  should  do 
good. 

13  And  if  they  are  not  the  words  of  Christ,  judge  ye:  for 


166  BOOK    OF    JACOB.  [chap.  1. 

Christ  will  shew  unto  you,  with  power  and  great  glory,  that 
they  are  his  words,  at  the  last  day; 

14  And  you  and  I  shall  stand  face  to  face  before  his  bar; 
and  ye  shall  know  that  I  have  been  commanded  of  him  to 
write  these  things,  notwithstanding  my  weakness: 

15  And  I  pray  the  Father  in  the  name  of  Christ,  that  many 
of  us,  if  not  all,  may  be  saved  in  his  kingdom,  at  that  great 
and  last  day. 

16  TJAnd  now,  my  beloved  brethren,  all  those  who  are  of 
the  house  of  Israel,  and  all  ye  ends  of  the  earth,  I  speak  unto 
you,  as  the  voice  of  one  crying  from  the  dust :  Farewell  until 
that  great  day  shall  come; 

17  And  you  that  will  not  partake  of  the  goodness  of  God, 
and  respect  the  words  of  the  Jews,  and  also  my  words,  and 
the  words  which  shall  proceed  forth  out  of  the  mouth  of  the 
Lamb  of  God,  behold,  I  bid  you  an  everlasting  farewell,  for 
these  words  shall  condemn  you  at  the  last  day; 

18  For  what  I  seal  on  earth,  shall  be  brought  against  you 
at  the  judgment  bar;  for  thus  hath  the  Lord  commanded  me, 
and  I  must  obey.    Amen. 


THE  BOOK  OF  JACOB. 

THE   BROTHER   OF    NEPHI. 


CHAPTER  1. 
The  luords  of  his  preaching  unto  his  brethren.     He  confound- 
eth  a  man  who  seeketh  to  overthrow  the  doctrine  of  Christ. 
A  few  words  concerning  the  history  of  the  people  of  Nephi. 

1  ifFor  behold,  it  came  to  pass  that  fifty  and  five  years 
had  passed  away,  from  the  time  that  Lehi  left  Jerusalem; 
wherefore,  Nephi  gave  me,  Jacob,  a  commandment  concern- 
ing these  small  plates,  upon  which  these  things  are  engraven. 

2  And  he  gave  me,  Jacob,  a  commandment  that  I  should 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    JACOB.  167 

write  upon  these  plates,  a  few  of  the  things  which  I  consid- 
ered to  be  most  precious:  that  I  should  not  touch,  save  it 
were  lightly,  concerning  the  history  of  this  people,  which  are 
called  the  people  of  Nephi. 

3  For  he  said  that  the  history  of  his  people  should  be  en- 
graven upon  his  other  plates,  and  that  I  should  preserve 
these  plates,  and  hand  them  down  unto  my  seed,  from  genera- 
tion to  generation. 

4  And  if  there  were  preaching  which  was  sacred,  or  reve- 
lation which  was  great,  or  prophesying,  that  I  should  en- 
graven the  heads  of  them  upon  these  plates,  and  touch  upon 
them  as  much  as  it  were  possible,  for  Christ's  sake,  and  for 
the  sake  of  our  people: 

5  For  because  of  faith  and  great  anxiety,  it  truly  had 
been  made  manifest  unto  us  concerning  our  people,  what 
things  should  happen  unto  them. 

6  And  we  also  had  many  revelations,  and  the  spirit  of 
much  prophecy;  wherefore,  we  knew  of  Christ  and  his  king- 
dom, which  should  come. 

7  Wherefore,  we  labored  diligently  among  our  people,  that 
we  might  persuade  them  to  come  unto  Christ,  and  partake  of 
the  goodness  of  God,  that  they  might  enter  into  his  rest,  lest 
by  any  means  he  should  swear  in  his  wrath  they  should  not 
enter  in,  as  in  the  provocation  in  the  days  of  temptation, 
while  the  children  of  Israel  were  in  the  wilderness. 

8  Wherefore,  we  would  to  God  that  we  could  persuade  all 
men  not  to  rebel  against  God,  to  provoke  him  to  anger,  but 
that  all  men  would  believe  in  Christ,  and  view  his  death,  and 
suffer  his  cross,  and  bear  the  shame  of  the  world;  wherefore, 
I,  Jacob,  take  it  upon  me  to  fulfill  the  commandment  of  my 
brother  Nephi. 

9  ^Now  Nephi  began  to  be  old,  and  he  saw  that  he  must 
soon  die;  wherefore,  he  anointed  a  man  to  be  a  king  and  a 
ruler  over  his  people  now,  according  to  the  reigns  of  the 
kings. 

10  The  people  having  loved  Nephi  exceedingly,  he  having 
been  a  great  protector  for  them,  having  wielded  the  sword 
ol  Laban  in  their  defense,  and  having  labored  in  all  his  days 


168  BOOK    OF    JACOB.  [chap.  1. 

for  their  welfare;    wherefore,  the  people  were  desirous  to  re- 
tain in  remembrance  his  name. 

11  And  whoso  should  reign  in  his  stead,  were  called  by  the 
people,  second  Nephi,  third  Nephi,  etc.,  according  to  the  reigns 
of  the  kings;  and  thus  they  were  called  by  the  people,  let 
them  be  of  whatever  name  they  would. 

12  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Nephi  died. 

13  Now  the  people  which  were  not  Lamanites,  were  Ne- 
phites;  nevertheless,  they  were  called  Nephites,  Jacobites, 
Josephites,  Zoramites,  Lamanites,  Lemuelites,  and  Ishmael- 
ites. 

14  But  I,  Jacob,  shall  not  hereafter  distinguish  them  by 
these  names,  but  I  shall  call  them  Lamanites,  that  seek  to 
destroy  the  people  of  Nephi;  and  those  who  are  friendly  to 
Nephi,  I  shall  call  Nephites,  or  the  people  of  Nephi,  accord- 
ing to  the  reigns  of  the  kings. 

15  IJAnd  now  it  came  to  pass  that  the  people  of  Nephi, 
under  the  reign  of  the  second  king,  began  to  grow  hard  in 
their  hearts,  and  indulge  themselves  somewhat  in  wicked 
practices,  such  as  like  unto  David  of  old,  desiring  many  wives 
and  concubines,  and  also  Solomon,  his  son: 

16  Yea,  and  they  also  began  to  search  much  gold  and  silver, 
and  began  to  be  lifted  up  somewhat  in  pride; 

17  Wherefore,  I,  Jacob,  gave  unto  them  these  words  as  I 
taught  them  in  the  temple,  having  firstly  obtained  mine 
errand  from  the  Lord. 

18  For  I,  Jacob,  and  my  brother  Joseph,  had  been  conse- 
crated priests,  and  teachers  of  this  people  by  the  hand  of 
Nephi. 

19  And  we  did  magnify  our  office  unto  the  Lord,  taking 
upon  us  the  responsibility,  answering  the  sins  of  the  people 
upon  our  own  heads,  if  we  did  not  teach  them  the  word  of 
God  with  all  diligence; 

20  Wherefore,  by  laboring  with  our  mights,  their  blood 
might  not  come  upon  our  garments;  otherwise,  their  blood 
would  come  upon  our  garments,  and  we  would  not  be  found 
spotless  at  the  last  day. 


CHAP.  2.]  BOOK    OF    JACOB.  169 

CHAPTER  2. 

1  IJThe  words  which  Jacob,  the  brother  of  Nephi,  spake 
unto  the  people  of  Nephi,  after  the  death  of  Nephi: 

2  Now,  my  beloved  brethren,  I,  Jacob,  according  to  the 
responsibility  which  I  am  under  to  God,  to  magnify  mine 
office  with  soberness,  and  that  I  might  rid  my  garments  of 
your  sins,  I  come  up  into  the  temple  this  day,  that  I  might 
declare  unto  you  the  word  of  God; 

3  And  ye  yourselves  know,  that  I  have  hitherto  been  dili- 
gent in  the  office  of  my  calling;  but  I  this  day  am  weighed 
down  with  much  more  desire  and  anxiety  for  the  welfare  of 
your  souls,  than  I  have  hitherto  been. 

4  For  behold,  as  yet,  ye  have  been  obedient  unto  the  word 
of  the  Lord,  which  I  have  given  unto  you. 

5  But  behold,  hearken  ye  unto  me,  and  know  that  by  the 
help  of  the  all-powerful  Creator  of  heaven  and  earth,  I  can 
tell  you  concerning  your  thoughts,  how  that  ye  are  beginning 
to  labor  in  sin,  which  sin  appeareth  very  abominable  unto  me, 
yea,  and  abominable  unto  God. 

6  Yea,  it  grieveth  my  soul  and  causeth  me  to  shrink  with 
shame  before  the  presence  of  my  Maker,  that  I  must  testify 
unto  you  concerning  the  wickedness  of  your  hearts; 

7  And  also,  it  grieveth  me  that  I  must  use  so  much  bold- 
ness of  speech,  concerning  you,  before  your  wives  and  your 
children,  many  of  whose  feelings  are  exceeding  tender,  and 
chaste,  and  delicate  before  God,  which  thing  is  pleasing  unto 
God; 

8  And  it  supposeth  me  that  they  have  come  up  hither  to 
hear  the  pleasing  word  of  God,  yea,  the  word  which  healeth 
the  wounded  soul. 

9  ^Wherefore,  it  burdeneth  my  soul,  that  I  should  be  con- 
strained because  of  the  strict  commandment  which  I  have  re- 
ceived from  God,  to  admonish  you,  according  to  your  crimes, 
to  enlarge  the  wounds  of  those  which  are  already  wounded, 
instead  of  consoling  and  healing  their  wounds; 

10  And   those  which   have  not  been   wounded,   instead   of 


110  BOOK    OF    JACOB.  [chaf.  2. 

feasting  upon  the  pleasing  word  of  God,  iiave  daggers  placed 
to  pierce  their  souls,  and  wound  their  delicate  minds. 

11  But,  notwithstanding  the  greatness  of  the  task,  I  must 
do  according  to  the  strict  commands  of  God,  and  tell  you 
concerning  your  wickedness  and  abominations,  in  the  pres- 
ence of  the  pure  in  heart,  and  the  broken  heart,  and  under 
the  glance  of  the  piercing  eye  of  the  Almighty  God. 

12  ^Wherefore,  I  must  tell  you  the  truth,  according  to  the 
plainness  of  the  word  of  God. 

13  For  behold,  as  I  inquired  of  the  Lord,  thus  came  the 
word  unto  me,  saying,  Jacob,  get  thou  up  into  the  temple  on 
the  morrow,  and  declare  the  word  which  I  shall  give  thee, 
unto  this  people. 

14  ^And  now  behold,  my  brethren,  this  is  the  word  which  I 
declare  unto  you,  that  many  of  you  have  begun  to  search  for 
gold,  and  for  silver,  and  all  manner  of  precious  ores,  in  the 
which  this  land,  which  is  a  land  of  promise  unto  you,  and 
to  your  seed,  doth  abound  most  plentifully. 

15  And  the  hand  of  providence  hath  smiled  upon  you  most 
pleasingly,  that  you  have  obtained  many  riches; 

16  And  because  some  of  you  have  obtained  more  abun- 
dantly than  that  of  your  brethren,  ye  are  lifted  up  in  the 
pride  of  your  hearts,  and  w^ear  stiff  necks,  and  high  heads, 
because  of  the  costliness  of  your  apparel,  and  persecute  your 
brethren,  because  ye  suppose  that  ye  are  better  than  they. 

17  IJAnd  now  my  brethren,  do  ye  suppose  that  God  justi- 
fieth  you  in  this  thing?     Behold,  I  say  unto  you,  Nay. 

18  But  he  condemneth  you,  and  if  ye  persist  in  these  things, 
his  judgments  must  speedily  come  unto  you. 

19  O  that  he  would  shew  you  that  he  can  pierce  you,  and 
with  one  glance  of  his  eye,  he  can  smite  you  to  the  dust. 

20  0  that  he  would  rid  you  from  this  iniquity  and  abomina- 
tion. 

21  And,  O  that  ye  would  listen  unto  the  word  of  his  com- 
mands, and  let  not  this  pride  of  your  hearts  destroy  your 
souls. 

22  Think  of   your  brethren,  like  unto  yourselves,   and   be 


CHAP.  2.]  BOOK    OF    JACOB.  171 

familiar  with  all,  and  free  with  your  substance,  that  they 
may  be  rich  like  unto  you. 

23  But  before  ye  seek  for  riches,  seek  ye  for  the  kingdom 
of  God. 

24  And  after  ye  have  obtained  a  hope  in  Christ,  ye  shall 
obtain  riches,  if  ye  seek  them;  and  ye  will  seek  them,  for  the 
intent  to  do  good ;  to  clothe  the  naked,  and  to  feed  the  hungry, 
and  to  liberate  the  captive,  and  administer  relief  to  the  sick, 
and  the  afflicted. 

25  TJAnd  now  my  brethren,  I  have  spoken  unto  you  con- 
cerning pride;  and  those  of  you  which  have  afflicted  your 
neighbor,  and  persecuted  him,  because  ye  were  proud  in  your 
hearts,  of  the  things  which  God  hath  given  you,  what  say  ye 
of  it? 

26  Do  ye  not  suppose  that  such  things  are  abominable  unto 
him,  who  created  all  flesh? 

27  And  the  one  being  is  as  precious  in  his  sight  as  the 
other. 

28  And  all  flesh  is  of  the  dust;  and  for  the  self-same  end 
hath  he  created  them,  that  they  should  keep  his  command- 
ments, and  glorify  him  for  ever. 

29  And  now  I  make  an  end  of  speaking  unto  you  concern- 
ing this  pride. 

30  And  were  it  not  that  I  must  speak  unto  you  concerning 
a  grosser  crime,  my  heart  would  rejoice  exceedingly,  because 
of  you. 

31  But  the  word  of  God  burthens  me  because  of  your 
grosser  crimes. 

32  For  behold,  thus  saith  the  Lord,  This  people  begin  to 
wax  in  iniquity;  they  understand  not  the  scriptures :  for  they 
seek  to  excuse  themselves  in  committing  whoredoms,  because 
of  the  things  which  were  written  concerning  David,  and  Solo- 
mon his  son. 

33  Behold,  David  and  Solomon  truly  had  many  wives  and 
concubines,  which  thing  was  abominable  before  me,  saith  the 

Lord, 

34  Wherefore,  thus  saith  the  Lord,  I  have  led  this  people 
forth  out  of  the  land  of  Jerusalem,  by  the  power  of  mine 


172  BOOK    OF    JACOB.  [chap.  2. 

arm,  that  I  might  raise  up  unto  me  a  righteous  branch  from 
the  fruit  of  the  loins  of  Joseph. 

35  Wherefore,  t,  the  Lord  God,  will  not  suffer  that  this  peo- 
ple shall  do  like  unto  them  of  old. 

36  Wherefore,  my  brethren,  hear  me,  and  hearken  to  the 
word  of  the  Lord:  For  there  shall  not  any  man  among  you 
have  save  it  be  one  wife;  and  concubines  he  shall  have  none: 
For  I,  the  Lord  God,  delighteth  in  the  chastity  of  women. 

37  And  whoredoms  are  an  abomination  before  me:  thus 
saith  the  Lord  of  hosts. 

38  Wherefore,  this  people  shall  keep  my  commandments, 
saith  the  Lord  of  hosts,  or  cursed  be  the  land  for  their  sakes. 

39  For  if  I  will,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts,  raise  up  seed  unto 
me,  I  will  command  my  people:  otherwise,  they  shall  hearken 
unto  these  things. 

40  For  behold,  I,  the  Lord,  have  seen  the  sorrow,  and  heard 
the  mourning  of  the  daughters  of  my  people  in  the  land  of 
Jerusalem;  yea,  and  in  all  the  lands  of  my  people,  because 
of  the  wickedness  and  abominations  of  their  husbands. 

41  And  I  will  not  suffer,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts,  that  the 
cries  of  the  fair  daughters  of  this  people,  which  I  have  led 
out  of  the  land  of  Jerusalem,  shall  come  up  unto  me,  against 
the  men  of  my  people,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts; 

42  For  they  shall  not  lead  away  captive,  the  daughters  of 
my  people,  because  of  their  tenderness,  save  I  shall  visit  them 
with  a  sore  curse,  even  unto  destruction; 

43  For  they  shall  not  commit  whoredoms,  like  unto  them 
of  old,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts. 

44  ^And  now  behold,  my  brethren,  ye  know  that  these  com- 
mandments were  given  to  our  father  Lehi;  wherefore,  ye 
have  known  them  before;  and  ye  have  come  unto  great  con- 
demnation: for  ye  have  done  these  things,  which  ye  ought 
not  to  have  done. 

45  Behold,  ye  have  done  greater  iniquity  than  the  Laman- 
ites,  our  brethren. 

46  Ye  have  broken  the  hearts  of  your  tender  wives,  and 
lost  the  conjfidence  of  your  children,  because  of  your  bad  ex- 


CHAP.  2.]  BOOK    OF    JACOB.  173 

amples  before  them;    and  the  sobbings  of  their  hearts  ascend 
up  to  God  against  you. 

47  And  because  of  the  strictness  of  the  word  of  God,  which 
Cometh  down  against  you,  many  hearts  died,  pierced  with 
deep  wounds. 

48  ^But  behold,  I,  Jacob,  would  speak  unto  you  that  are 
pure  in  heart. 

49  Look  unto  God  with  firmness  of  mind,  and  pray  unto 
him  with  exceeding  faith,  and  he  will  console  you  in  your 
afflictions,  and  he  will  plead  your  cause,  and  send  down  jus- 
tice upon  those  who  seek  your  destruction. 

50  ^0  all  ye  that  are  pure  in  heart,  lift  up  your  heads  and 
receive  the  pleasing  word  of  God,  and  feast  upon  his  love; 
for  ye  may,  if  your  minds  are  firm  for  ever. 

51  But  wo,  wo,  unto  you  that  are  not  pure  in  heart;  that 
are  filthy  this  day  before  God;  for  except  ye  repent,  the  land 
is  cursed  for  your  sakes; 

52  And  the  Lamanites  which  are  not  filthy  like  unto  you, 
(nevertheless,  they  are  cursed  with  a  sore  cursing,)  shall 
scourge  you  even  unto  destruction. 

53  And  the  time  speedily  cometh,  that  except  ye  repent, 
they  shall  possess  the  land  of  your  inheritance,  and  the  Lord 
God  will  lead  away  the  righteous  out  from  among  you. 

54  Behold,  the  Lamanites,  your  brethren,  whom  ye  hate, 
because  of  their  filthiness  and  the  cursings  which  hath  come 
upon  their  skins,  are  more  righteous  than  you; 

55  For  they  have  not  forgotten  the  commandments  of  the 
Lord,  which  was  given  unto  our  fathers,  that  they  should 
have,  save  it  were  one  wife:  and  concubines  they  should  have 
none;  and  there  should  not  be  whoredoms  committed  among 
them. 

56  And  now  this  commandment  they  observe  to  keep; 
wherefore  because  of  this  observance  in  keeping  this  com- 
mandment, the  Lord  God  will  not  destroy  them,  but  will  be 
merciful  unto  them;  and  one  day  they  shall  become  a  blessed 
people. 

57  Behold,  their  husbands  love  their  wives,  and  their  wives 


174  BOOK    OF    JACOB.  [chap.  2. 

love  their  husbands,  and  their  husbands  and  their  wives  love 
their  children; 

58  And  their  unbelief  and  their  hatred  towards  you,  is 
because  of  the  iniquity  of  their  fathers;  wherefore,  how  much 
better  are  you  than  they,  in  the  sight  of  your  great  Creator? 

59  IJO  my  brethren,  I  fear,  that  unless  ye  shall  repent  of 
your  sins,  that  their  skins  will  be  whiter  than  yours,  when  ye 
shall  be  brought  with  them  before  the  throne  of  God. 

60  Wherefore,  a  commandment  I  give  unto  you,  which  is 
the  word  of  God,  that  ye  revile  no  more  against  them,  because 
of  the  darkness  of  their  skins;  neither  shall  ye  revile  against 
them  because  of  their  filthiness; 

61  But  ye  shall  remember  your  own  filthiness,  and  remem- 
ber that  their  filthiness  came  because  of  their  fathers. 

62  Wherefore,  ye  shall  remember  your  children,  how  that 
ye  have  grieved  their  hearts  because  of  the  example  that  ye 
have  set  before  them; 

63  And  also,  remember  that  ye  may,  because  of  your  filthi- 
ness, bring  your  children  unto  destruction,  and  their  sins  be 
heaped  upon  your  heads  at  the  last  day. 

64  ^0  my  brethren,  hearken  unto  my  word;  arouse  the 
faculties  of  your  soul;  shake  yourselves,  that  ye  may  awake 
from  the  slumber  of  death; 

65  And  loose  yourselves  from  the  pains  of  hell,  that  ye 
may  not  become  angels  to  the  devil,  to  be  cast  into  that  lake 
of  fire  and  brimstone,  which  is  the  second  death. 

66  And  now  I,  Jacob,  spake  many  more  things  unto  the 
people  of  Nephi,  warning  them  against  fornication,  and  las- 
civiousness,  and  every  kind  of  sin,  telling  them  the  awful 
consequences  of  them; 

67  And  a  hundredth  part  of  the  proceedings  of  this  people, 
which  now  began  to  be  numerous,  can  not  be  written  upon 
these  plates; 

68  But  many  of  their  proceedings  are  written  upon  the 
larger  plates,  and  their  wars,  and  their  contentions,  and  the 
reigns  of  their  kings. 


CHAP.  3.]  BOOK    OF    JACOB.  175 

69  These  plates  are  called  the  plates  of  Jacob;    and  they 
were  made  by  the  hand  of  Nephi. 

70  And  I  make  an  end  of  speaking  these  words. 


CHAPTER  3. 

1  IJNow  behold,  it  came  to  pass,  that  I,  Jacob,  having  min- 
istered much  unto  my  people,  in  word,  (and  I  can  not  write 
but  little  of  my  words,  because  of  the  difficulty  of  engraving 
our  words  upon  plates,)  and  we  know  that  the  things  which 
we  write  upon  plates  must  remain; 

2  But  whatsoever  things  we  write  upon  anything  save  it 
be  upon  plates,  must  perish  and  vanish  away;  but  we  can 
write  a  few  words  upon  plates,  which  will  give  our  children, 
and  also  our  beloved  brethren,  a  small  degree  of  knowledge 
concerning  us,  or  concerning  their  fathers. 

3  Now  in  this  thing  we  do  rejoice;  and  we  labor  diligently 
to  engraven  these  words  upon  plates,  hoping  that  our  beloved 
brethren,  and  our  children,  will  receive  them  with  thankful 
hearts,  and  look  upon  them,  that  they  may  learn  with  joy, 
and  not  with  sorrow,  neither  with  contempt  concerning  their 
first  parents: 

4  For,  for  this  intent  have  we  written  these  things,  that 
they  may  know  that  we  knew  of  Christ,  and  we  had  a  hope 
of  his  glory,  many  hundred  years  before  his  coming,  and  not 
only  we,  ourselves,  had  a  hope  of  his  glory,  but  also  all  the 
holy  prophets  which  were  before  us. 

5  ^Behold,  they  believed  in  Christ,  and  worshiped  the 
Father  in  his  name;  and  also,  we  worship  the  Father  in  his 
name. 

6  And  for  this  intent,  we  keep  the  law  of  Moses,  it  point- 
ing our  souls  to  him;  and  for  this  cause,  it  is  sanctified  unto 
us,  for  righteousness,  even  as  it  was  accounted  unto  Abraham 
in  the  wilderness,  to  be  obedient  unto  the  commands  of  God, 
in  offering  up  his  son  Isaac,  which  is  a  similitude  of  God  and 
his  only  begotten  Son. 

7  Wherefore,  we  search  the  prophets;    and  we  have  many 


176  BOOK    OF    JACOB.  [chap.  3. 

revelations,  and  the  spirit  of  prophecy,  and  having  all  these 
witnesses,  we  obtain  a  hope,  and  our  faith  becometh  unshaken, 
insomuch  that  we  truly  can  command  in  the  name  of  Jesus, 
and  the  very  trees  obey  us,  or  the  mountains,  or  the  waves  of 
the  sea; 

8  Nevertheless,  the  Lord  God  sheweth  us  our  weakness, 
that  we  may  know  that  it  is  by  his  grace,  and  his  great  con- 
descensions unto  the  children  of  men,  that  we  have  power  to 
do  these  things. 

9  TJBehold,  great  and  marvelous  are  the  works  of  the  Lord. 

10  How  unsearchable  are  the  depths  of  the  mysteries  of 
him;  and  it  is  impossible  that  man  should  find  out  all  his 
ways. 

11  And  no  man  knoweth  of  his  ways,  save  it  be  revealed 
unto  him;  wherefore,  brethren,  despise  not  the  revelations  of 
God. 

12  For  behold,  by  the  power  of  his  word,  man  came  upon 
the  face  of  the  earth;  which  earth  was  created  by  the  power 
of  his  word. 

13  Wherefore,  if  God,  being  able  to  speak,  and  the  world 
was;  and  to  speak,  and  man  was  created,  O  then,  why  not 
able  to  command  the  earth,  or  the  workmanship  of  his  hands 
upon  the  face  of  it,  according  to  his  will  and  pleasure. 

14  Wherefore,  brethren,  seek  not  to  counsel  the  Lord,  but 
to  take  counsel  from  his  hand. 

15  For  behold,  ye  yourselves  know,  that  he  counsel eth  in 
wisdom,  and  in  justice,  and  in  great  mercy,  over  all  his  works; 

16  Wherefore,  beloved  brethren,  be  reconciled  unto  him, 
through  the  atonement  of  Christ,  his  only  begotten  Son, 

17  That  ye  may  obtain  a  resurrection,  according  to  the 
power  of  the  resurrection  which  is  in  Christ,  and  be  pre- 
sented as  the  first  fruits  of  Christ,  unto  God,  having  faith, 
and  obtained  a  good  hope  of  glory  in  him,  before  he  mani- 
festeth  himself  in  the  flesh. 

18  ^And  now,  beloved,  marvel  not  that  I  tell  you  these 
things;  for  why  not  speak  of  the  atonement  of  Christ,  and 
attain  to  a  perfect  knowledge  of  him,  as  to  attain  to  the 
knowledge  of  a  resurrection  and  the  world  to  come? 


CHAP.  3.]  BOOK    OF    JACOB.  177 

19  Behold,  my  brethren,  he  that  prophesieth,  let  him 
prophesy  to  the  understanding  of  men;  for  the  Spirit  speak- 
eth  the  truth,  and  lieth  not. 

20  Wherefore,  it  speaketh  of  things  as  they  really  are,  and 
of  things  as  they  really  will  be;  wherefore,  these  things  are 
manifested  unto  us  plainly,  for  the  salvation  of  our  souls. 

21  But  behold,  we  are  not  witnesses  alone  in  these  things; 
for  God  also  spake  them  unto  prophets  of  old. 

22  ^But  behold,  the  Jews  were  a  stiff-necked  people;  and 
they  despised  the  words  of  plainness,  and  killed  the  prophets, 
and  sought  for  things  that  they  could  not  understand. 

23  Wherefore,  because  of  their  blindness,  which  blindness 
came  by  looking  beyond  the  mark,  they  must  needs  fall: 

24  For  God  hath  taken  away  his  plainness  from  them,  and 
delivered  unto  them  many  things  which  they  can  not  under- 
stand, because  they  desired  it. 

25  And  because  they  desired  it,  God  hath  done  it,  that  they 
may  stumble. 

26  ^And  now  I,  Jacob,  am  led  on  by  the  Spirit  unto  prophe- 
sying: for  I  perceive  by  the  workings  of  the  Spirit  which  is 
in  me,  that  by  the  stumbling  of  the  Jews,  they  will  reject  the 
stone  upon  which  they  might  build,  and  have  safe  foundation. 

27  But  behold,  according  to  the  scriptures,  this  stone  shall 
become  the  great,  and  the  last,  and  the  only  sure  foundation, 
upon  which  the  Jews  can  build. 

28  And  now,  my  beloved,  how  is  it  possible  that  these,  after 
having  rejected  the  sure  foundation,  can  ever  build  upon  it, 
that  it  may  become  the  head  of  their  corner? 

29  Behold,  my  beloved  brethren,  I  will  unfold  this  mys- 
tery unto  you;  if  I  do  not,  by  any  means  get  shaken  from 
my  firmness  in  the  Spirit,  and  stumble  because  of  my  over- 
anxiety  for  you. 

30  TJBehold,  my  brethren,  do  ye  not  remember  to  have  read 
the  words  of  the  prophet  Zenos,  which  spake  unto  the  house 
of  Israel,  saying:  Hearken,  O  ye  house  of  Israel,  and  hear 
the  words  of  me,  a  prophet  of  the  Lord: 

31  For  behold,  thus  saith  the  Lord,  I  will  liken  thee,  O 
house  of  Israel,   like  unto  a  tame  olive  tree,  which  a  man 


178  BOOK    OF    JACOB.  [chap.  3. 

took  and  nourished  in  his  vineyard:    and  it  grew,  and  waxed 
old,  and  began  to  decay. 

32  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  master  of  the  vineyard 
went  forth,  and  he  saw  that  his  olive  tree  began  to  decay;  and 
he  said,  I  will  prune  it,  and  dig  about  it,  and  nourish  it,  that 
perhaps  it  may  shoot  forth  young  and  tender  branches,  and 
it  perish  not. 

33  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  pruned  it,  and  digged  about 
it,  and  nourished  it,  according  to  his  word. 

34  And  it  came  to  pass  that  after  many  days,  it  began  to 
put  forth  somewhat  a  little,  young  and  tender  branches;  but 
behold,  the  main  top  thereof  began  to  perish. 

35  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  master  of  the  vineyard 
saw  it,  and  he  said  unto  his  servant,  It  grieveth  me  that  I 
should  lose  this  tree; 

36  Wherefore,  go  and  pluck  the  branches  from  a  wild  olive 
tree,  and  bring  them  hither  unto  me;  and  we  will  pluck  off 
those  main  branches  which  are  beginning  to  wither  away, 
and  we  will  cast  them  into  the  fire,  that  they  may  be  burned. 

37  And  behold,  saith  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard,  I  take  away 
many  of  these  young  and  tender  branches,  and  I  will  graft 
them  whithersoever  I  will; 

38  And  it  mattereth  not  that  if  it  so  be,  that  the  root  of 
this  tree  will  perish,  I  may  preserve  the  fruit  thereof  unto 
myself; 

39  Wherefore,  I  will  take  these  young  and  tender  branches, 
and  I  will  graft  them  whithersoever  I  will. 

40  Take  thou  the  branches  of  the  wild  olive  tree,  and  graft 
them  in,  in  the  stead  thereof; 

41  And  these  which  I  have  plucked  off,  I  will  cast  into  the 
fire,  and  burn  them,  that  they  may  not  cumber  the  ground  of 
my  vineyard. 

42  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  servant  of  the  Lord  of 
the  vineyard,  did  according  to  the  word  of  the  Lord  of  the 
vineyard,  and  grafted  in  the  branches  of  the  wild  olive  tree. 

43  And  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  caused  that  it  should  be 
digged  about,  and  pruned,  and  nourished,  saying  unto  his 
servant.  It  grieveth  me  that  I  should  lose  this  tree; 


CHAP.  3.]  BOOK    OF    JACOB.  %79 

44  Wherefore,  that  perhaps  I  might  preserve  the  roots 
thereof  that  they  perish  not,  that  I  might  preserve  them  unto 
myself  I  have  done  this  thing. 

45  Wherefore,  go  thy  way;  watch  the  tree,  and  nourish  it, 
according  to  my  wordso 

46  And  these  will  I  place  in  the  nethermost  part  of  my 
vineyard,  whithersoever  I  will,  it  mattereth  not  unto  thee; 

47  And  I  do  it,  that  I  may  preserve  unto  myself  the  natural 
branches  of  the  tree;  and  also,  that  I  may  lay  up  fruit  thereof, 
against  the  season,  unto  myself:  for  it  grieveth  me  that  I 
should  lose  this  tree,  and  the  fruit  thereof. 

48  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  went 
his  way,  and  hid  the  natural  branches  of  the  tame  olive  tree 
in  the  nethermost  parts  of  the  vineyard;  some  in  one,  and 
some  in  another,  according  to  his  will  and  pleasure. 

49  And  it  came  to  pass  that  a  long  time  passed  away,  and 
the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  said  unto  his  servant.  Come,  let  us 
go  down  into  the  vineyard,  that  we  may  labor  in  the  vineyard. 

50  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard,  and 
also  the  servant,  went  down  into  the  vineyard  to  labor. 

51  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  servant  said  unto  his  mas- 
ter. Behold,  look  here;   behold  the  tree. 

52  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  looked 
and  beheld  the  tree,  in  the  which  the  wild  olive  branches  had 
been  grafted;  and  it  had  sprang  forth,  and  began  to  bear 
fruit. 

53  And  he  beheld  that  it  was  good:  and  the  fruit  thereof 
was  like  unto  the  natural  fruit. 

54  And  he  said  unto  the  servant,  Behold,  the  branches  of 
the  wild  tree  hath  taken  hold  of  the  moisture  of  the  root 
thereof,  that  the  root  thereof  hath  brought  forth  much 
strength ; 

55  And  because  of  the  much  strength  of  the  root  thereof, 
the  wild  branches  have  brought  forth  tame  fruit: 

56  Now,  if  we  had  not  grafted  in  these  branches,  the  tree 
thereof  would  have  perished. 

57  And  now,  behold,  I  shall  lay  up  much  fruit,  which  the 


180  BOOK    OF    JACOB.  [chap.  3. 

tree  thereof  hath  brought  forth ;    and  the  fruit  thereof  I  shall 
lay  up,  against  the  season,  unto  mine  own  self. 

58  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  said 
unto  the  servant.  Come,  let  us  go  to  the  nethermost  parts  of 
the  vineyard,  and  behold  if  the  natural  branches  of  the  tree 
hath  not  brought  forth  much  fruit  also,  that  I  may  lay  up  of 
the  fruit  thereof,  against  the  season,  unto  mine  own  self. 

59  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  went  forth  whither  the 
master  of  the  vineyard  had  hid  the  natural  branches  of  the 
tree,  and  he  said  unto  the  servant,  Behold  these: 

60  And  he  beheld  the  first,  that  it  had  brought  forth  much 
fruit;    and  he  beheld  also,  that  it  was  good. 

61  And  he  said  unto  the  servant.  Take  of  the  fruit  thereof, 
and  lay  it  up,  against  the  season,  that  I  may  preserve  it  unto 
mine  own  self; 

62  For  behold,  said  he,  this  long  time  have  I  nourished  it, 
and  it  hath  brought  forth  much  fruit. 

63  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  servant  said  unto  his 
master.  How  comest  thou  hither  to  plant  this  tree,  or  this 
branch  of  the  tree?  for  behold,  it  was  the  poorest  spot  in 
all  the  land  of  thy  vineyard. 

64  And  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  said  unto  him,  Counsel 
me  not:  I  knew  that  it  was  a  poor  spot  of  ground;  where- 
fore, I  said  unto  thee,  I  have  nourished  it  this  long  time;  and 
thou  beholdest  that  it  hath  brought  forth  much  fruit. 

65  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  said 
unto  his  servant.  Look  hither:  behold,  I  have  planted  another 
branch  of  the  tree  also;  and  thou  knowest  that  this  spot  of 
ground  was  poorer  than  the  first. 

66  But,  behold  the  tree:  I  have  nourished  it  this  long  time, 
and  it  hath  brought  forth  much  fruit;  therefore,  gather  it, 
and  lay  it  up,  against  the  season,  that  I  may  preserve  it 
unto  mine  own  self. 

67  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  said 
again  unto  his  servant,  Look  hither,  and  behold  another 
branch  also,  which  I  have  planted;  behold  that  I  have  nour- 
ished it  also,  and  it  hath  brought  forth  fruit. 

68  And  he  said  unto  the  servant,  Look  hither,  and  behold 


CHAP.  3.]  BOOK    OF    JACOB.  181 

the  last:  behold,  this  have  I  planted  in  a  good  spot  of  ground; 
and  I  have  nourished  it  this  long  time,  and  only  a  part  of  the 
tree  hath  brought  forth  tame  fruit;  and  the  other  part  of 
the  tree  hath  brought  forth  wild  fruit:  behold,  I  have  nour- 
ished this  tree  like  unto  the  others. 

69  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  said 
unto  the  servant,  Pluck  off  the  branches  that  have  not  brought 
forth  good  fruit,  and  cast  them  into  the  fire. 

70  But  behold,  the  servant  said  unto  him,  Let  us  prune  it, 
and  dig  about  it,  and  nourish  it  a  little  longer,  that  perhaps 
it  may  bring  forth  good  fruit  unto  thee,  that  thou  canst  lay 
it  up  against  the  season. 

71  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard,  and 
the  servant  of  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard,  did  nourish  all  the 
fruit  of  the  vineyard. 

72  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  a  long  time  had  passed  away, 
and  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  said  unto  his  servant,  Come,  let 
us  go  down  into  the  vineyard,  that  we  may  labor  again  in 
the  vineyard. 

73  For  behold,  the  time  draweth  near,  and  the  end  soon 
Cometh:  wherefore,  I  must  lay  up  fruit,  against  the  season, 
unto  mine  own  self. 

74  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard,  and 
the  servant,  went  down  into  the  vineyard;  and  they  came  to 
the  tree  whose  natural  branches  had  been  broken  off,  and  the 
wild  branches  had  been  grafted  in;  and  behold,  all  sorts  of 
fruit  did  cumber  the  tree. 

75  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  did 
taste  of  the  fruit,  every  sort  according  to  its  number. 

76  And  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  said,  Behold,  this  long 
time  have  we  nourished  this  tree,  and  I  have  laid  up  unto 
myself  against  the  season,  much  fruit. 

77  But  behold,  this  time  it  hath  brought  forth  much  fruit, 
and  there  is  none  of  it  which  is  good. 

78  And  behold,  there  are  all  kinds  of  bad  fruit;  and  it 
profiteth  me  nothing,  notwithstanding  all  our  labor:  and 
now,  it  grieveth  me  that  I  should  lose  this  tree. 

79  And  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  said  unto  the  servant. 


182  BOOK    OF    JACOB.  [chap.  3. 

What  shall  we  do  unto  the  tree,  that  I  may  preserve  again 
good  fruit  thereof  unto  mine  own  self? 

80  And  the  servant  said  unto  his  master,  Behold,  because 
thou  didst  graft  in  the  branches  of  the  wild  olive  tree,  they 
have  nourished  the  roots,  that  they  are  alive,  and  they  have 
not  perished;  wherefore,  thou  beholdest  that  they  are  yet 
good. 

81  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  said 
unto  his  servant,  The  tree  profiteth  me  nothing;  and  the  roots 
thereof  profiteth  me  nothing,  so  long  as  it  shall  bring  forth 
evil  fruit. 

82  Nevertheless,  I  know  that  the  roots  are  good;  and  for 
mine  own  purpose  I  have  preserved  them;  and  because  of 
their  much  strength,  they  have  hitherto  brought  forth  from 
the  wild  branches  good  fruit. 

83  But  behold,  the  wild  branches  have  grown,  and  have 
overran  the  roots  thereof :  and  because  that  the  wild  branches 
have  overcome  the  roots  thereof,  it  hath  brought  forth  much 
evil  fruit; 

84  And  because  that  it  hath  brought  forth  so  much  evil 
fruit,  thou  beholdest  that  it  beginneth  to  perish:  and  it  will 
soon  become  ripened,  that  it  may  be  cast  into  the  fire,  except 
we  should  do  something  for  it  to  preserve  it. 

85  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  said 
unto  his  servant.  Let  us  go  down  into  the  nethermost  parts 
of  the  vineyard,  and  behold  if  the  natural  branches  have  also 
brought  forth  evil  fruit. 

86  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  went  down  into  the  nether- 
most parts  of  the  vineyard. 

87  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  beheld  that  the  fruit  of 
the  natural  branches  had  become  corrupt  also;  yea,  the  first, 
and  the  second,  and  also  the  last;  and  they  had  all  become 
corrupt. 

88  And  the  wild  fruit  of  the  last,  had  overcome  that  part 
of  the  tree  which  brought  forth  good  fruit,  even  that  the 
branch  had  withered  away  and  died. 

89  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard 


CHAP.  3.]  BOOK    OF    JACOB.  183 

wept,  and  said  unto  the  servant,  What  could  I  have  done  more 
for  my  vineyard? 

90  Behold,  I  knew  that  all  the  fruit  of  the  vineyard,  save 
it  were  t"hese,  had  become  corrupted. 

91  And  now,  these  which  have  once  brought  forth  good 
fruit,  have  also  become  corrupted. 

92  And  now,  all  the  trees  of  my  vineyard  are  good  for 
nothing,  save  it  be  to  be  hewn  down  and  cast  into  the  fire. 

93  And  behold,  this  last,  whose  branch  hath  withered  away, 
I  did  plant  in  a  good  spot  of  ground;  yea,  even  that  which 
was  choice  unto  me,  above  all  other  parts  of  the  land  of  my 
vineyard. 

94  And  thou  beheldest  that  I  also  cut  down  that  which 
cumbered  this  spot  of  ground,  that  I  might  plant  this  tree 
in  the  stead  thereof. 

95  And  thou  beheldest  that  a  part  thereof,  brought  forth 
good  fruit;    and  a  part  thereof,  brought  forth  wild  fruit. 

96  And  because  I  plucked  not  the  branches  thereof,  and 
cast  them  into  the  fire,  behold,  they  have  overcome  the  good 
branch,  that  it  has  withered  away. 

97  And  now  behold,  notwithstanding  all  the  care  which  we 
have  taken  of  my  vineyard,  the  trees  thereof  have  become 
corrupted,  that  they  bring  forth  no  good  fruit: 

98  And  these  I  had  hoped  to  preserve,  to  have  laid  up  fruit 
thereof,  against  the  season,  unto  mine  own  self. 

99  But  behold,  they  have  become  like  unto  the  wild  olive 
tree;  and  they  are  of  no  worth,  but  to  be  hewn  down  and 
cast  into  the  fire :    and  it  grieveth  me  that  I  should  lose  them. 

100  But  what  could  I  have  done  more  in  my  vineyard? 

101  Have  I  slackened  my  hand,  that  I  have  not  nourished 
it? 

102  Nay;  I  have  nourished  it,  and  I  have  digged  about  it, 
and  I  have  pruned  it,  and  I  have  dunged  it;  and  I  have 
stretched  forth  mine  hand  almost  all  the  day  long;  and  the 
end  draweth  nigh. 

103  And  it  grieveth  me  that  I  should  hew  down  all  the 
trees  of  my  vineyard,  and  cast  them  into  the  fire,  that  they 
should  be  burned 


184  BOOK    OF    JACOB.  [chap.  3. 

104  Who  is  it  that  has  corrupted  my  vineyard? 

105  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  servant  said  unto  his 
master,  Is  it  not  the  loftiness  of  thy  vineyard? 

106  Has  not  the  branches  thereof  overcome  the  roots,  which 
are  good? 

107  And  because  the  branches  have  overcome  the  roots 
thereof,  behold,  they  grew  faster  than  the  strength  of  the 
roots,  taking  strength  unto  themselves. 

108  Behold,  I  say,  Is  not  this  the  cause  that  the  trees  of  thy 
vineyard  have  become  corrupted? 

109  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard 
said  unto  the  servant.  Let  us  go  to,  and  hew  down  the  trees  of 
the  vineyard,  and  cast  them  into  the  fire,  that  they  shall  not 
cumber  the  ground  of  my  vineyard:  for  I  have  done  all; 
what  could  I  have  done  more  for  my  vineyard? 

110  But  behold,  the  servant  said  unto  the  Lord  of  the  vine- 
yard, Spare  it  a  little  longer. 

111  And  the  Lord  said.  Yea,  I  will  spare  it  a  little  longer: 
for  it  grieveth  me  that  I  should  lose  the  trees  of  my  vineyard. 

112  Wherefore  let  us  take  of  the  branches  of  these  which  I 
have  planted  in  the  nethermost  parts  of  my  vineyard,  and  let 
us  graft  them  into  the  tree  from  whence  they  came; 

113  Apd  let  us  pluck  from  the  tree  those  branches  whose 
fruit  is  most  bitter,  and  graft  in  the  natural  branches  of  the 
tree  in  the  stead  thereof. 

114  And  this  will  I  do,  that  the  tree  may  not  perish,  that 
perhaps  I  may  preserve  unto  myself  the  roots  thereof,  for 
mine  own  purpose. 

115  And  behold,  the  roots  of  the  natural  branches  of  the 
tree  which   I  planted  whithersoever  I  would,  are  yet  alive; 

116  Wherefore,  that  I  may  preserve  them  also,  for  mine 
own  purpose,  I  will  take  of  the  branches  of  this  tree,  and  I 
will  graft  them  in  unto  them. 

117  Yea,  I  will  graft  in  unto  them  the  branches  of  their 
mother  tree,  that  I  may  preserve  the  roots  also  unto  mine 
own  self,  that  when  they  shall  be  sufficiently  strong,  perhaps 
they  may  bring  forth  good  fruit  unto  me,  and  I  may  yet  have 
glory  in  the  fruit  of  my  vineyard. 


CHAP.  3.]  BOOK    OF    JACOB.  185 

118  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  took  from  the  natural 
tree  which  had  become  wild,  and  grafted  in  unto  the  natural 
trees,  which  also  had  become  wild: 

119  And  they  also  took  of  the  natural  trees  which  had  be- 
come wild,  and  grafted  into  their  mother  tree. 

120  And  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  said  unto  the  servant, 
Pluck  not  the  wild  branches  from  the  trees,  save  it  be  those 
which  are  most  bitter;  and  in  them  ye  shall  graft,  according 
to  that  which  I  have  said. 

121  And  we  will  nourish  again  the  trees  of  the  vineyard, 
and  we  will  trim  up  the  branches  thereof;  and  we  will  pluck 
from  the  trees  those  branches  which  are  ripened  that  -nust 
perish,  and  cast  them  into  the  fire. 

122  And  this  I  do,  that  perhaps  the  roots  thereof  may  take 
strength,  because  of  their  goodness;  and  because  of  the 
change  of  the  branches,  that  the  good  may  overcome  the  evil; 

123  And  because  that  I  have  preserved  the  natural  branches, 
and  the  roots  thereof;  and  that  I  have  grafted  in  the  natural 
branches  again,  into  their  mother  tree;  and  have  preserved 
the  roots  of  their  mother  tree,  that  perhaps  the  trees  of  my 
vineyard  may  bring  forth  again  good  fruit; 

124  And  that  I  may  have  joy  again  in  the  fruit  of  my 
vineyard;  and  perhaps  that  I  may  rejoice  exceedingly,  that  I 
have  preserved  the  roots  and  the  branches  of  the  first  fruit. 

125  Wherefore,  go  to,  and  call  servants,  that  we  may  labor 
diligently  with  our  mights  in  the  vineyard,  that  we  may  pre- 
pare the  way,  that  I  may  bring  forth  again  the  natural  fruit, 
which  natural  fruit  is  good,  and  the  most  precious  above  all 
other  fruit. 

126  Wherefore,  let  us  go  to,  and  labor  with  our  mights, 
this  last  time;  for  behold  the  end  draweth  nigh:  and  this  is 
for  the  last  time  that  I  shall  prune  my  vineyard. 

127  Graft  in  the  branches;  begin  at  the  last,  that  they  may 
be  first,  and  that  the  first  may  be  last,  and  dig  about  the 
trees,  both  old  and  young,  the  first  and  the  last,  and  the  last 
and  the  first,  that  all  may  be  nourished  once  again  for  the 
last  time. 

128  Wherefore,  dig  about  them,  and  prune  them,  and  dung 


186  BOOK    OF    JACOB.  [chap.  3. 

them  once  more,  for  the  last  time:    for  the  end  draweth  nigh. 

129  And  if  it  so  be  that  these  last  grafts  shall  grow,  and 
bring  forth  the  natural  fruit,  then  shall  ye  prepare  the  way 
for  them,  that  they  may  grow; 

130  And  as  they  begin  to  grow,  ye  shall  clear  away  the 
branches  which  bring  forth  bitter  fruit,  according  to  the 
strength  of  the  good  and  the  size  thereof; 

131  And  ye  shall  not  clear  away  the  bad  thereof,  all  at 
once,  lest  the  roots  thereof  should  be  too  strong  for  the  graft, 
and  the  graft  thereof  shall  perish,  and  I  lose  the  trees  of 
my  vineyard. 

132  For  it  grieveth  me  that  I  should  lose  the  trees  of  my 
vineyard;  wherefore,  ye  shall  clear  away  the  bad,  according 
as  the  good  shall  grow,  that  the  root  and  the  top  may  be 
equal  in  strength,  until  the  good  shall  overcome  the  bad,  and 
the  bad  be  hewn  down  and  cast  into  the  fire,  that  they  cum- 
ber not  the  ground  of  my  vineyard;  and  thus  will  I  sweep 
away  the  bad  out  of  my  vineyard. 

133  And  the  branches  of  the  natural  tree  will  I  graft  in 
again,  into  the  natural  tree;  and  the  branches  of  the  natural 
tree  will  I  graft  into  the  natural  branches  of  the  tree; 

134  And  thus  will  I  bring  them  together  again,  that  they 
shall  bring  forth  the  natural  fruit;  and  they  shall  be  one. 

135  And  the  bad  shall  be  cast  away;  yea,  even  out  of  all 
the  land  of  my  vineyard;  for  behold,  only  this  once  will  I 
prune  my  vineyard. 

136  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  sent 
his  servant;  and  the  servant  went  and  did  as  the  Lord  had 
commanded  him,  and  brought  other  servants;  and  they  were 
few. 

137  And  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  said  unto  them.  Go  to, 
and  labor  in  the  vineyard,  with  your  mights. 

138  For  behold,  this  is  the  last  time  that  I  shall  nourish  my 
vineyard :  for  the  end  is  nigh  at  hand,  and  the  season  speedily 
Cometh ; 

139  And  if  ye  labor  with  your  mights  with  me,  ye  shall  have 
joy  in  the  fruit  which  I  shall  lay  up  unto  myself,  against  the 
time  which  will  soon  come. 


CHAP.  3.]  BOOK    OF    JACOB.  187 

140  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  servants  did  go,  and 
labor  with  their  mights ;  and  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  labored 
also  with  them;  and  they  did  obey  the  commandments  of  the 
Lord  of  the  vineyard,  in  all  things. 

141  And  there  began  to  be  the  natural  fruit  again  in  the 
vineyard;  and  the  natural  branches  began  to  grow  and  thrive 
exceedingly; 

142  And  the  wild  branches  began  to  be  plucked  off,  and  to 
be  cast  away;  and  they  did  keep  the  root  and  the  top  thereof 
equal,  according  to  the  strength  thereof. 

143  And  thus  they  labored,  with  all  diligence,  according  to 
the  commandments  of  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard,  even  until  the 
bad  had  been  cast  away  out  of  the  vineyard,  and  the  Lord  had 
preserved  unto  himself,  that  the  trees  had  become  again  the 
natural  fruit; 

144  And  they  became  like  unto  one  body;  and  the  fruit 
were  equal;  and  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  had  preserved  unto 
himself  the  natural  fruit,  which  was  most  precious  unto  him 
from  the  beginning. 

145  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  when  the  Lord  of  the  vine- 
yard saw  that  his  fruit  was  good,  and  that  his  vineyard  was 
no  more  corrupt,  he  called  up  his  servants  and  said  unto 
them.  Behold,  for  this  last  time  have  we  nourished  my  vine- 
yard; and  thou  beholdest  that  I  have  done  according  to  my 
will; 

146  And  I  have  preserved  the  natural  fruit,  that  it  is  good, 
even  like  as  it  was  in  the  beginning;  and  blessed  art  thou. 

147  For  because  ye  have  been  diligent  in  laboring  with  me 
in  my  vineyard,  and  have  kept  my  commandments,  and  have 
brought  unto  me  again  the  natural  fruit,  that  my  vineyard  is 
no  more  corrupted,  and  the  bad  is  cast  away,  behold,  ye  shall 
have  joy  with  me,  because  of  the  fruit  of  my  vineyard. 

148  For  behold,  for  a  long  time  will  I  lay  up  of  the  fruit  of 
my  vineyard  unto  mine  own  self,  against  the  season,  which 
speedily  cometh; 

149  And  for  the  last  time  have  I  nourished  my  vineyard, 
and  pruned  it,  and  dug  about  it,  and  dunged  it; 


188  BOOK    OF    JACOB.  [chap.  4. 

150  Wherefore  I  will  lay  up  unto  mine  own  self  of  the  fruit 
for  a  long  time,  according  to  that  which  I  have  spoken. 

151  And  when  the  time  cometh  that  evil  fruit  shall  again 
come  into  my  vineyard,  then  will  I  cause  the  good  and  the  bad 
to  be  gathered: 

152  And  the  good  will  I  preserve  unto  myself;  and  the  bad 
will  I  cast  away  into  its  own  place. 

153  And  then  cometh  the  season  and  the  end;  and  my  vine- 
yard will  I  cause  to  be  burned  with  fire. 


CHAPTER  4. 

1  ^And  now,  behold,  my  brethren,  as  I  said  unto  you  that 
I  would  prophesy,  behold,  this  is  my  prophecy: 

2  That  the  things  which  this  prophet  Zenos  spake,  concern- 
ing the  house  of  Israel,  in  the  which  he  likened  them  unto  a 
tame  olive  tree,  must  surely  come  to  pass. 

3  And  in  the  day  that  he  shall  set  his  hand  again  the 
second  time  to  recover  his  people,  is  the  day,  yea,  even  the  last 
time,  that  the  servants  of  the  Lord  shall  go  forth  in  his  power, 
to  nourish  and  prune  his  vineyard;  and  after  that,  the  end 
soon  cometh. 

4  And  how  blessed  are  they  who  have  labored  diligently  in 
his  vineyard;  and  how  cursed  are  they  who  shall  be  cast  out 
into  their  own  place! 

5  And  the  world  shall  be  burned  with  fire. 

6  And  how  merciful  is  our  God  unto  us;  for  he  remember- 
eth  the  house  of  Israel,  both  roots  and  branches;  and  he 
stretches  forth  his  hands  unto  them,  all  the  day  long; 

7  And  they  are  a  stiff-necked,  and  a  gainsaying  people;  but 
as  many  as  will  not  harden  their  hearts,  shall  be  saved  in  the 
kingdom  of  God. 

8  Wherefore,  my  beloved  brethren,  I  beseech  of  you  in 
words  of  soberness,  that  ye  would  repent,  and  come  with  full 
purpose  of  heart,  and  cleave  unto  God  as  he  cleaveth  unto 
you. 


CHAP.   5.]  BOOK    OF    JACOB.  189 

9  And  while  his  arm  of  mercy  is  extended  towards  you  in 
the  light  of  the  day,  harden  not  your  hearts. 

10  Yea,  to-day  if  ye  will  hear  his  voice,  harden  not  your 
hearts:  for  why  will  ye  die? 

11  For  behold,  after  ye  have  been  nourished  by  the  good 
word  of  God  all  the  day  long,  will  ye  bring  forth  evil  fruit, 
that  ye  must  be  hewn  down  and  cast  into  the  fire? 

12  Behold,  will  ye  reject  these  words? 

13  Will  ye  reject  the  words  of  the  prophets?  and  will  ye 
reject  all  the  words  which  have  been  spoken  concerning  Christ, 
after  so  many  have  spoken  concerning  him?  and  deny  the  good 
word  of  Christ,  and  the  power  of  God,  and  the  gift  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  and  quench  the  Holy  Spirit?  and  make  a  mock  of 
the  great  plan  of  redemption,  which  hath  been  laid  for  you? 

14  Know  ye  not  that  if  ye  will  do  these  things,  that  the 
power  of  the  redemption  and  the  resurrection  which  is  in 
Christ,  will  bring  you  to  stand  with  shame  and  awful  guilt  be- 
fore the  bar  of  God? 

15  And  according  to  the  power  of  justice,  for  justice  can 
not  be  denied,  ye  must  go  away  into  that  lake  of  fire  and 
brimstone,  whose  flames  are  unquenchable,  and  whose  smoke 
ascendeth  up  for  ever  and  ever,  which  lake  of  fire  and  brim- 
stone, is  endless  torment. 

16  O  then,  my  beloved  brethren,  repent  ye,  and  enter  in 
at  the  straight  gate,  and  continue  in  the  way  which  is  narrow, 
until  ye  shall  obtain  eternal  life. 

17  O  be  wise:  what  can  I  say  more? 

18  Finally,  I  bid  you  farewell,  until  I  shall  meet  you  before 
the  pleasing  bar  of  God,  which  bar  striketh  the  wicked  with 
awful  dread  and  fear.     Amen. 


CHAPTER  5. 

1  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  after  some  years  had  passed 
away,  there  came  a  man  among  the  people  of  Nephi,  whose 
name  was  Sherem. 

2  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  began  to  preach  among  the 


190  BOOK    OF    JACOB.  [chap.   5. 

people,   and   to   declare  unto   them   that   there   should   be   no 
Christ. 

3  And  he  preached  many  things  which  were  flattering  unto 
the  people;  and  this  he  did  that  he  might  overthrow  the  doc- 
trine of  Christ. 

4  And  he  labored  diligently  that  he  might  lead  away  the 
hearts  of  the  people,  insomuch  that  he  did  lead  away  many 
hearts; 

5  And  he  knowing  that  I,  Jacob,  had  faith  in  Christ  who 
should  come,  he  sought  much  opportunity  that  he  might  come 
unto  me. 

6  And  he  was  learned,  that  he  had  a  perfect  knowledge  of 
the  language  of  the  people;  wherefore,  he  could  use  much 
flattery,  and  much  power  of  speech,  according  to  the  power  of 
the  devil. 

7  And  he  had  hope  to  shake  me  from  the  faith,  notwith- 
standing the  many  revelations,  and  the  many  things  which  I 
had  seen  concerning  these  things ;  for  I  truly  had  seen  angels, 
and  they  had  ministered  unto  me. 

8  And  also,  I  had  heard  the  voice  of  the  Lord  speaking  unto 
me  in  very  word,  from  time  to  time ;  wherefore,  I  could  not  be 
shaken. 

9  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  he  came  unto  me;  and  on  this 
wise  did  he  speak  unto  me,  saying:  Brother  Jacob,  I  have 
sought  much  opportunity  that  I  might  speak  unto  you:  for  I 
have  heard  and  also  know,  that  thou  goest  about  much,  preach- 
ing that  which  ye  call  the  gospel,  or  the  doctrine  of  Christ; 

10  And  ye  have  led  away  much  of  this  people,  that  they 
pervert  the  right  way  of  God,  and  keep  not  the  law  of  Moses, 
which  is  the  right  way;  and  convert  the  law  of  Moses  into  the 
worship  of  a  being,  which  ye  say  shall  come  many  hundred 
years  hence. 

11  And  now  behold,  I,  Sherem,  declare  unto  you,  that  this  is 
blasphemy;  for  no  man  knoweth  of  such  things:  for  he  can 
not  tell  of  things  to  come. 

12  And  after  this  manner  did  Sherem  contend  against  me. 

13  But  behold,  the  Lord  God  poured  in  his  Spirit  into  my 
soul,  insomuch  that  I  did  confound  him  in  all  his  words. 


CHAP.   5.]  BOOK    OF    JACOB.  191 

14  And  I  said  unto  him,  Denies!  thou  the  Christ  which  shall 
come? 

15  And  he  said,  If  there  should  be  a  Christ,  I  would  not 
deny  him;  but  I  know  that  there  is  no  Christ,  neither  has 
been,  nor  ever  will  be. 

16  And  I  said  unto  him,  Believest  thou  the  scriptures? 

17  And  he  said.  Yea. 

18  And  I  said  unto  him.  Then  ye  do  not  understand  them; 
for  they  truly  testify  of  Christ. 

19  Behold,  I  say  unto  you,  that  none  of  the  prophets  have 
written,  nor  prophesied,  save  they  have  spoken  concerning 
this  Christ. 

20  And  this  is  not  all :  it  has  been  made  manifest  unto  me, 
for  I  have  heard  and  seen ;  and  it  also  has  been  made  manifest 
unto  me  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost; 

21  Wherefore,  I  know  if  there  should  be  no  atonement 
made,  all  mankind  must  be  lost. 

22  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  he  said  unto  me,  Shew  me  a 
sign  by  this  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  in  the  which  ye  know 
so  much. 

23  And  1  said  unto  him,  What  am  I,  that  I  should  tempt 
God  to  shew  unto  thee  a  sign,  in  the  thing  which  thou  know- 
est  to  be  true? 

24  Yet  thou  wilt  deny  it,  because  thou  art  of  the  devil. 

25  Nevertheless,  not  my  will  be  done;  but  if  God  shall  smite 
thee,  let  that  be  a  sign  unto  thee  that  he  has  power,  both  in 
heaven  and  in  earth;  and  also,  that  Christ  shall  come. 

26  And  thy  will,  0  Lord,  be  done,  and  not  mine. 

27  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  when  I,  Jacob,  had  spoken 
these  words,  the  power  of  the  Lord  came  upon  him,  insomuch 
that  he  fell  to  the  earth. 

28  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  was  nourished  for  the  space 
of  many  days. 

29  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  said  unto  the  people,  Gather 
together  on  the  morrow,  for  I  shall  die;  wherefore,  I  desire  to 
speak  unto  the  people,  before  I  shall  die. 

30  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  on  the  morrow,  the  multitude 
were  gathered  together;  and  he  spake  plainly  unto  them,  and 


192  BOOK    OF    JACOB.  [chap.   5. 

denied  the  things  which  he  had  taught  them;  and  confessed 
the  Christ,  and  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  the  minister- 
ing of  angels. 

31  And  he  spake  plainly  unto  them,  that  he  had  been  de- 
ceived by  the  power  of  the  devil. 

32  And  he  spake  of  hell,  and  of  eternity,  and  of  eternal 
punishment. 

33  And  he  said,  I  fear  lest  I  have  committed  the  unpardon- 
able sin,  for  I  have  lied  unto  God:  for  I  denied  the  Christ,  and 
said  that  I  believed  the  scriptures;  and  they  truly  testify  of 
him. 

34  And  because  I  have  thus  lied  unto  God,  I  greatly  fear 
lest  my  case  shall  be  awful;  but  I  confess  unto  God. 

35  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  he  had  said  these  words, 
he  could  say  no  more;  and  he  gave  up  the  ghost. 

36  And  when  the  multitude  had  witnessed  that  he  spake 
these  things  as  he  was  about  to  give  up  the  ghost,  they  were 
astonished  exceedingly;  insomuch,  that  the  power  of  God  came 
down  upon  them,  and  they  were  overcome,  that  they  fell  to  the 
earth. 

37  Now,  this  thing  was  pleasing  unto  me,  Jacob;  for  I  had 
requested  it  of  my  Father  who  was  in  heaven:  for  he  had 
heard  my  cry,  and  answered  my  prayer. 

38  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  peace  and  the  love  of  God 
was  restored  again  among  the  people;  and  they  searched  the 
scriptures,  and  hearkened  no  more  to  the  words  of  this  wicked 
man. 

39  And  it  came  to  pass  that  many  means  were  devised,  to 
reclaim  and  restore  the  Lamanites,  to  the  knowledge  of  the 
truth ;  but  it  all  were  vain :  for  they  delighted  in  wars  and 
bloodshed;  and  they  had  an  eternal  hatred  against  us,  their 
brethren. 

40  And  they  sought  by  the  power  of  their  arms  to  destroy 
us  continually; 

41  Wherefore,  the  people  of  Nephi  did  fortify  against  them 
with  their  armies,  and  with  all  their  might,  trusting  in  the 
God  and  rock  of  their  salvation;  wherefore,  they  became  as 
yet,  conquerors  of  their  enemies. 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    ENOS.  193 

42  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  Jacob,  began  to  be  old;  and 
the  record  of  this  people  being  kept  on  the  other  plates  of 
Nephi,  wherefore,  I  conclude  this  record,  declaring  that  I 
have  written  according  to  the  best  of  my  knowledge,  by  say- 
ing, 

43  That  the  time  passed  away  with  us,  and  also,  our  lives 
passed  away,  like  as  it  were  unto  us  a  dream,  we  being  a 
lonesome  and  a  solemn  people,  wanderers,  cast  out  from  Jeru- 
salem ; 

44  Born  in  tribulation,  in  a  wilderness,  and  hated  of  our 
brethren,  which  caused  wars  and  contentions;  wherefore,  we 
did  mourn  out  our  days. 

45  'ii/^nd  I,  Jacob,  saw  that  I  must  soon  go  down  to  my 
grave;  wherefore,  I  said  unto  my  son  Enos,  Take  these  plates. 

46  And  I  told  him  the  things  which  my  brother  Nephi  had 
commanded  me;  and  he  promised  obedience  unto  the  com- 
mands. 

47  And  I  make  an  end  of  my  writing  upon  these  plates, 
which  writing  has  been  small; 

48  And  to  the  reader  I  bid  farewell,  hoping  that  many  of 
my  brethren  may  read  my  words.     Brethren,  adieu. 


THE  BOOK  OF  ENOS. 


CHAPTER   1. 

1  ^Behold,  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  Enos,  knowing  my  father, 
that  he  was  a  just  man:  for  he  taught  me  in  his  language, 
and  also  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord. 

2  And  blessed  be  the  name  of  my  God  for  it. 

3  And  I  will  tell  you  of  the  wrestle  which  I  had  before 
God,  before  I  received  a  remission  of  my  sins: 

4  Behold  I  went  to  hunt  beasts  in  the  forest;  and  the  words 
which  I  had  often  heard  my  father  speak,  concerning  eternal 
life,  and  the  joy  of  the  saints,  sunk  deep  into  my  heart. 


194  BOOK    OF    ENOS.  [chap.  1. 

5  And  my  soul  hungered;  and  I  kneeled  down  before  my 
Maker,  and  I  cried  unto  him  in  mighty  prayer  and  supplica- 
tion, for  mine  own  soul; 

6  And  all  the  day  long  did  I  cry  unto  him;  yea,  and  when 
the  night  came,  I  did  still  raise  my  voice  high,  that  it  reached 
the  heavens. 

7  And  there  came  a  voice  unto  me  saying,  Enos,  thy  sins 
are  forgiven  thee,  and  thou  shalt  be  blessed. 

8  And  I,  Enos,  knew  that  God  could  not  lie;  wherefore,  my 
guilt  was  swept  away. 

9  And  I  said,  Lord,  how  is  it  done? 

10  And  he  said  unto  me,  because  of  thy  faith  in  Christ, 
whom  thou  hast  never  before  heard  nor  seen. 

11  And  many  years  pass  away,  before  he  shall  manifest 
himself  in  the  flesh;  wherefore,  go  to,  thy  faith  hath  made 
thee  whole. 

12  ^Now,  it  came  to  pass  that  when  I  had  heard  these 
words,  I  began  to  feel  a  desire  for  the  welfare  of  my  brethren, 
the  Nephites;  wherefore,  I  did  pour  out  my  whole  soul  unto 
God  for  them. 

13  And  while  I  was  thus  struggling  in  the  spirit,  behold, 
the  voice  of  the  Lord  came  into  my  mind  again,  saying, 

14  I  will  visit  thy  brethren,  according  to  their  diligence  in 
keeping  my  commandments. 

15  I  have  given  unto  them  this  land;  and  it  is  a  holy  land; 
and  I  curse  it  not,  save  it  be  for  the  cause  of  iniquity; 

16  Wherefore,  I  will  visit  thy  brethren;  according  as  I  have 
said;  and  their  transgressions  will  I  bring  down  with  sorrow 
upon  their  ow^n  heads. 

17  And  after  I,  Enos,  had  heard  these  words,  my  faith 
began  to  be  unshaken  in  the  Lord;  and  I  prayed  unto  him 
with  many  long  strugglings  for  my  brethren,  the  Lamanites. 

18  ^And  it  came  to  pass,  that  after  I  had  prayed,  and 
labored  with  all  diligence,  the  Lord  said  unto  me,  I  will  grant 
unto  thee  according  to  thy  desires,  because  of  thy  faith. 

19  And  now  behold,  this  was  the  desire  which  I  desired  of 
him:  that  if  it  should  so  be,  that  my  people,  the  Nephites, 
should  fall  into  transgression,  and  by  any  means  be  destroyed, 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    ENOS.  i95 

and  the  Lamanites  should  not  be  destroyed,  that  the  Lord  God 
would  preserve  a  record  of  my  people,  the  Nephites; 

20  Even  if  it  so  be,  by  the  power  of  his  holy  arm,  that  it 
might  be  brought  forth,  at  some  future  day,  unto  the  Laman- 
ites, that  perhaps  they  might  be  brought  unto  salvation: 

21  For  at  the  present,  our  strugglings  were  vain,  in  restor- 
ing them  to  the  true  faith. 

22  And  they  swore  in  their  wrath,  that  if  it  were  possible, 
they  would  destroy  our  records  and  us;  and,  also,  all  the 
traditions  of  our  fathers. 

23  ^Wherefore,  I  knowing  that  the  Lord  God  was  able  to 
preserve  our  records,  I  cried  unto  him  continually; 

24  For  he  had  said  unto  me.  Whatsoever  thing  ye  shall  ask 
in  faith,  believing  that  ye  shall  receive  in  the  name  of  Christ, 
ye  shall  receive  it. 

25  And  I  had  faith,  and  I  did  cry  unto  God,  that  he  would 
preserve  the  records; 

26  And  he  covenanted  with  me  that  he  would  bring  them 
forth  unto  the  Lamanites,  in  his  own  due  time. 

27  And  I,  Enos,  knew  it  would  be  according  to  the  cove- 
nant which  he  had  made;  wherefore,  my  soul  did  rest. 

28  And  the  Lord  said  unto  me.  Thy  fathers  have  also  re- 
quired of  me  this  thing;  and  it  shall  be  done  unto  them  ac- 
cording to  their  faith,  for  their  faith  was  like  unto  thine. 

29  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass,  that  I,  Enos,  went  about 
among  the  people  of  Nephi,  prophesying  of  things  to  come, 
and  testifying  of  the  things  which  I  had  heard  and  seen. 

30  And  I  bear  record  that  the  people  of  Nephi  did  seek 
diligently  to  restore  the  Lamanites  unto  the  true  faith  in  God. 

31  But  our  labors  were  vain;  their  hatred  was  fixed,  and 
they  were  led  by  their  evil  nature,  that  they  became  wild,  and 
ferocious,  and  a  bloodthirsty  people;  full  of  idolatry,  and 
filthiness ; 

32  Feeding  upon  beasts  of  prey,  dwelling  in  tents,  and  wan- 
dering about  in  the  wilderness,  with  a  short  skin  girted  about 
their  loins,  and  their  heads  shaven;  and  their  skill  was  in  the 
bow,  and  the  cimeter,  and  the  ax. 


196  BOOK    OF    ENOS.  [chap.  1. 

33  And  many  of  them  did  eat  nothing  save  it  was  raw 
meat;  and  they  were  continually  seeking  to  destroy  us. 

34  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  people  of  Nephi  did  till 
tne  land,  and  raise  all  manner  of  grain,  and  of  fruit,  and 
flocks  of  herds,  and  flocks  of  all  manner  of  cattle,  of  every 
kind,  and  goats,  and  wild  goats,  and  also  many  horses. 

35  And  there  were  exceeding  many  prophets  among  us. 

36  And  the  people  were  a  stiff-necked  people,  hard  to  under- 
stand. 

37  And  there  was  nothing  save  it  was  exceeding  harshness, 
preaching  and  prophesying  of  wars,  and  contentions,  and  de- 
structions, and  continually  reminding  them  of  death,  and  the 
duration  of  eternity,  and  the  judgments  and  the  power  of 
God; 

38  And  all  these  things  stirring  them  up  continually,  to 
keep  them  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord. 

39  I  say  there  was  nothing  short  of  these  things,  and  ex- 
ceeding great  plainness  of  speech,  would  keep  them  from 
going  down  speedily  to  destruction. 

40  And  after  this  manner  do  I  write  concerning  them. 

41  And  I  saw  wars  between  the  Nephites  and  the  Laman- 
ites,  in  the  course  of  my  days. 

42  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  I  began  to  be  old,  and  an  hun- 
dred and  seventy  and  nine  years  had  passed  away  from  the 
time  that  our  father  Lehi  left  Jerusalem. 

43  And  as  I  saw  that  I  must  soon  go  down  to  my  grave, 
having  been  wrought  upon  by  the  power  of  God  that  I  must 
preach  and  prophesy  unto  this  people,  and  declare  the  word 
according  to  the  truth  which  is  in  Christ. 

44  And  I  have  declared  it,  in  all  my  days;  and  have  re- 
joiced in  it,  above  that  of  the  world. 

45  And  I  soon  go  to  the  place  of  my  rest,  which  is  with  my 
Redeemer;  for  I  know  that  in  him  I  shall  rest: 

46  And  I  rejoice  in  the  day  when  my  mortal  shall  put  on 
immortality,  and  shall  stand  before  him:  then  shall  I  see  his 
face  with  pleasure,  and  he  will  say  unto  me.  Come  unto  me 
ye  blessed,  there  is  a  place  prepared  for  you  in  the  mansions 
of  my  Father.     Amen. 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    JAROM.  197 


THE  BOOK  OF  lAROM. 


CHAPTER  1. 

1  TJNow  behold,  I,  Jarom,  write  a  few  words,  according  to 
the  commandment  of  my  father  Enos,  that  our  genealogy  may 
be  kept. 

2  And  as  these  plates  are  small,  and  as  these  things  are 
written  for  the  intent  of  the  benefit  of  our  brethren,  the 
Lamanites,  wherefore,  it  must  needs  be  that  I  write  a  little; 
but  I  shall  not  write  the  things  of  my  prophesying,  nor  of  my 
revelations. 

3  For  what  could  I  write  more  than  my  fathers  have 
written? 

4  For  have  not  they  revealed  the  plan  of  salvation? 

5  I  say  unto  you,  Yea;    and  this  sufficeth  me. 

6  ^Behold,  it  is  expedient  that  much  should  be  done  among 
this  people,  because  of  the  hardness  of  their  hearts,  and  the 
deafness  of  their  ears,  and  the  blindness  of  their  minds,  and 
the  stiffness  of  their  necks; 

7  Nevertheless,  God  is  exceeding  merciful  unto  them,  and 
has  not  as  yet  swept  them  off  from  the  face  of  the  land. 

8  And  there  are  many  among  us  who  have  many  revela- 
tions:  for  they  are  not  all  stiff-necked. 

9  And  as  many  as  are  not  stiff-necked,  and  have  faith,  have 
communion  with  the  Holy  Spirit,  which  maketh  manifest  unto 
the  children  of  men,  according  to  their  faith. 

10  TJAnd  now,  behold,  two  hundred  years  had  passed  away, 
and  the  people  of  Nephi  had  waxed  strong  in  the  land. 

11  They  observed  to  keep  the  law  of  Moses,  and  the  Sab- 
bath day  holy  unto  the  Lord. 

12  And  they  profaned  not;    neither  did  they  blaspheme. 

13  And  the  laws  of  the  land  were  exceeding  strict. 


198  BOOK    OF    JAROM.  [CHAp.  1. 

14  And  they  were  scattered  upon  much  of  the  face  of  the 
land;  and  the  Lamanites  also. 

15  And  they  were  exceeding  more  numerous  than  were 
they  of  the  Nephites;  and  they  loved  murder,  and  would  drink 
the  blood  of  beasts. 

16  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  they  came  many  times  against 
us,  the  Nephites,  to  Dattle. 

17  But  our  kings  and  our  leaders  were  mighty  men  in  the 
faith  of  the  Lord;  and  they  taught  the  people  the  ways  of  the 
Lord; 

18  Wherefore,  we  withstood  the  Lamanites,  and  swept 
them  away,  out  of  our  lands,  and  began  to  fortify  our  cities, 
or  whatsoever  place  of  our  inheritance. 

19  And  we  multiplied  exceedingly,  and  spread  upon  the  face 
of  the  land,  and  became  exceeding  rich  in  gold,  and  in  silver, 
and  in  precious  things,  and  in  fine  workmanship  of  wood,  in 
buildings,  and  in  machinery,  and  also  in  iron,  and  copper, 
and  brass,  and  steel,  making  all  manner  of  tools  of  every 
kind  to  till  the  ground,  and  weapons  of  war; 

20  Yea,  the  sharp  pointed  arrow,  and  the  quiver,  and  the 
dart,  and  the  javelin,  and  all  preparations  for  war; 

21  And  thus  being  prepared  to  meet  the  Lamanites,  they 
did  not  prosper  against  us. 

22  But  the  word  of  the  Lord  was  verified,  w^hich  he  spake 
unto  our  fathers,  saying,  That  inasmuch  as  ye  will  keep  my 
commandments,  ye  shall  prosper  in  the  land. 

23  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  prophets  of  the  Lord  did 
threaten  the  people  of  Nephi,  according  to  the  word  of  God, 
that  if  they  did  not  keep  the  commandments,  but  should  fall 
into  transgression,  they  should  be  destroyed  from  off  the  face 
of  the  land; 

24  Wherefore,  the  prophets,  and  the  priests,  and  the  teach- 
ers, did  labor  diligently,  exhorting  with  all  long  suffering,  the 
people  to  diligence;  teaching  the  law  of  Moses,  and  the  intent 
for  which  it  was  given; 

25  Persuading  them  to  look  forward  unto  the  Messiah,  and 
believe  in  him  to  come,  as  though  he  already  was. 

26  And  after  this  manner  did  they  teach  them. 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    OMNI.  199 

27  And  it  came  to  pass,  that  by  so  doing  they  kept  them 
from  being  destroyed  upon  the  face  of  the  land: 

28  For  they  did  prick  their  hearts  with  the  word,  continu- 
ally stirring  them  up  unto  repentance. 

29  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  two  hundred  and  thirty  and 
eight  years  had  passed  away,  after  the  manner  of  wars,  and 
contentions,  and  dissensions,  for  the  space  of  much  of  the 
time. 

iO  And  I,  Jarom,  do  not  write  more,  for  the  plates  are 
small. 

31  But  behold,  my  brethren,  ye  can  go  to  the  other  plates 
of  Nephi:  for  behold,  upon  them  the  record  of  our  wars  are 
engraven,  according  to  the  writings  of  the  kings,  or  those 
which  they  caused  to  be  written. 

32  And  I  deliver  these  plates  into  the  hands  of  my  son 
Omni,  that  they  may  be  kept  according  to  the  commandments 
of  my  fathers. 


THE  BOOK  OF  OMNI. 


CHAPTER  1. 

1  IJBehold,  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  Omni,  being  commanded 
by  my  father  Jarom,  that  I  should  write  somewhat  upon  these 
plates,  to  preserve  our  genealogy; 

2  Wherefore,  in  my  days,  I  would  that  ye  should  know  that 
I  fought  much  with  the  sword,  to  preserve  my  people,  the 
Nephites,  from  falling  into  the  hands  of  their  enemies,  the 
Lamanites. 

3  But  behold,  I,  of  myself,  am  a  wicked  man,  and  I  have 
not  kept  the  statutes  and  the  commandments  of  the  Lord,  as 
I  ought  to  have  done. 

4  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  two  hundred  and  seventy  and 
six  years  had  passed  away,  and  we  had  many  seasons  of 
peace;  and  we  had  many  seasons  of  serious  war  and  blood- 
shed. 


200  BOOK    OF    OMNI.  [chap.  1. 

5  Yea,  and  in  fine,  two  hundred  and  eighty  and  two  years 
had  passed  away,  and  I  had  kept  these  plates  according  to 
the  commandments  of  my  fathers;  and  I  conferred  them  upon 
my  son  Amaron.     And  I  make  an  end. 

6  ^And  now  I,  Amaron,  write  the  things  whatsoever  I 
write,  which  are  few,  in  the  book  of  my  father. 

7  Behold,  it  came  to  pass  that  three  hundred  and  twenty 
years  had  passed  away,  and  the  more  wicked  part  of  the 
Nephites  were  destroyed: 

8  For  the  Lord  would  not  suffer,  after  he  had  led  them 
out  of  the  land  of  Jerusalem,  and  kept  and  preserved  them 
from  falling  into  the  hands  of  their  enemies;  yea,  he  would 
not  suffer  that  the  words  should  not  be  verified,  which  he 
spake  unto  our  fathers,  saying.  That  inasmuch  as  ye  will  not 
keep  my  commandments,  ye  shall  not  prosper  in  the  land. 

9  Wherefore,  the  Lord  did  visit  them  in  great  judgment; 
nevertheless,  he  did  spare  the  righteous,  that  they  should  not 
perish,  but  did  deliver  them  out  of  the  hands  of  their  enemies. 

10  And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  did  deliver  the  plates  unto 
my  brother  Chemish. 

11  ^Now  I,  Chemish,  write  what  few  things  I  write,  in  the 
same  book  with  my  brother:  for  behold,  I  saw  the  last  which 
he  wrote,  that  he  wrote  it  with  his  own  hand;  and  he  wrote 
it  in  the  day  that  he  delivered  them  unto  me. 

12  And  after  this  manner  we  keep  the  records,  for  it  is 
according  to  the  commandments  of  our  fathers.  And  I  make 
an  end. 

13  ^Behold,  I,  Abinadom,  am  the  son  of  Chemish. 

14  Behold,  it  came  to  pass  that  I  saw  much  war  and  con- 
tention between  my  people,  the  Nephites,  and  the  Lamanites: 

15  And  I,  with  mine  own  sword,  have  taken  the  lives  of 
many  of  the  Lamanites,  in  the  defense  of  my  brethren. 

16  And  behold,  the  record  of  this  people  is  engraven  upon 
plates  which  is  had  by  the  kings,  according  to  the  generations; 

17  And  I  know  of  no  revelation,  save  that  which  has  been 
written,  neither  prophecy;  wherefore,  that  which  is  sufficient 
is  written.    And  I  make  an  end. 

IS  ^Behold,  I  am  Amaleki,  the  son  of  Abinadom. 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    OMNI.  201 

19  Behold,  I  will  speak  unto  you  somewhat  concerning  Mo- 
siah,  who  was  made  king  over  the  land  of  Zarahemla: 

20  For  behold,  he  being  warned  of  the  Lord  that  he  should 
flee  out  of  the  land  of  Nephi,  and  as  many  as  would  hearken 
unto  the  voice  of  the  Lord,  should  also  depart  out  of  the  land 
with  him,  into  the  wilderness. 

21  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  did  according  as  the  Lord 
had  commanded  him. 

22  And  they  departed  out  of  the  land  into  the  wilderness, 
as  many  as  would  hearken  unto  the  voice  of  the  Lord;  and 
they  were  led  by  many  preachings  and  prophesyings. 

23  And  they  were  admonished  continually  by  the  word  of 
God:  and  they  were  led  by  the  power  of  his  arm,  through 
the  wilderness,  until  they  came  down  into  the  land  which  is 
called  the  land  of  Zarahemla. 

24  And  they  discovered  a  people,  who  were  called  the  peo- 
ple of  Zarahemla. 

25  Now,  there  was  great  rejoicing  among  the  people  of 
Zarahemla;  and  also,  Zarahemla  did  rejoice  exceedingly,  be- 
cause the  Lord  had  sent  the  people  of  Mosiah  with  the  plates 
of  brass  which  contained  the  record  of  the  Jews. 

26  TJBehold,  it  came  to  pass  that  Mosiah  discovered  that 
the  people  of  Zarahemla,  came  out  from  Jerusalem,  at  the 
time  that  Zedekiah,  king  of  Judah,  was  carried  away  captive 
into  Babylon. 

27  And  they  journeyed  in  the  wilderness,  and  were  brought 
by  the  hand  of  the  Lord,  across  the  great  waters,  into  the  land 
where  Mosiah  discovered  them;  and  they  had  dwelt  there 
from  that  time  forth. 

28  And  at  the  time  that  Mosiah  discovered  them,  they  had 
become  exceeding  numerous. 

29  Nevertheless,  they  had  had  many  wars  and  serious  con- 
tentions, and  had  fallen  by  the  sword  from  time  to  time; 

30  And  their  language  had  become  corrupted;  and  they 
had  brought  no  records  with  them: 

31  And  they  denied  the  being  of  their  Creator;  and  Mosiah, 
nor  the  people  of  Mosiah,  could  understand  them. 


202  BOOK    OF    OMNI.  [chap.  1. 

32  IJBut  it  came  to  pass  that  Mosiah  caused  that  they  should 
be  taught  in  his  language. 

33  And  it  came  to  pass  that  after  they  were  taught  in  the 
language  of  Mosiah,  Zarahemla  gave  a  genealogy  of  his 
fathers,  according  to  his  memory;  and  they  are  written,  but 
not  in  these  plates. 

34  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  people  of  Zarahemla,  and 
of  Mosiah,  did  unite  together;  and  Mosiah  was  appointed  to 
oe  their  king. 

35  And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  days  of  Mosiah,  there  was  a 
large  stone  brought  unto  him,  with  engravings  on  it;  and  he 
did  interpret  the  engravings,  by  the  gift  and  power  of  God. 

36  ^[And  they  gave  an  account  of  one  Coriantumr,  and  the 
slain  of  his  people. 

37  And  Coriantumr  was  discovered  by  the  people  of  Zara- 
hemla;  and  he  dwelt  with  them  for  the  space  of  nine  moons. 

38  It  also  spake  a  few  words  concerning  his  fathers. 

39  And  his  first  parents  came  out  from  the  tower,  at  the 
time  the  Lord  confounded  the  language  of  the  people;  and 
the  severity  of  the  Lord  fell  upon  them,  according  to  his  judg- 
ments, which  are  just;  and  their  bones  lay  scattered  in  the 
land  northward: 

40  ^Behold,  I,  Amaleki,  was  born  in  the  days  of  Mosiah; 
and  I  have  lived  to  see  his  death;  and  Benjamin,  his  son, 
reigneth  in  his  stead. 

41  And  behold,  I  have  seen  in  the  days  of  King  Benjamin, 
a  serious  war,  and  much  bloodshed,  between  the  Nephites  and 
the  Lamanites. 

42  But  behold,  the  Nephites  did  obtain  much  advantage 
over  them;  yea,  insomuch  that  King  Benjamin  did  drive  them 
out  of  the  land  of  Zarahemla. 

43  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  began  to  be  old;  and,  hav- 
ing no  seed,  and  knowing  King  Benjamin  to  be  a  just  man 
before  the  Lord,  wherefore,  I  shall  deliver  up  these  plates 
unto  him,  exhorting  all  men  to  come  unto  God,  the  Holy  One 
of  Israel, 

44  And  believe  in  prophesying,  and  in  revelations,  and  in 
the  ministering  of  angels,  and  in  the  gift  of  speaking  with 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    OMNI.  203 

tongues,  and  in  the  gift  of  interpreting  languages,  and  in  all 
things  which  are  good: 

45  For  there  is  nothing  which  is  good,  save  it  comes  from 
the  Lord;    and  that  which  is  evil,  cometh  from  the  devil. 

46  ^And  now,  my  beloved  brethren,  I  would  that  ye  should 
come  unto  Christ,  who  is  the  Holy  One  of  Israel,  and  partake 
of  his  salvation,  and  the  power  of  his  redemption. 

47  Yea,  come  unto  him,  and  offer  your  whole  souls  as  an 
otiering  unto  him,  and  continue  in  fasting  and  praying,  and 
endure  to  the  end;   and  as  the  Lord  liveth,  ye  will  be  saved. 

48  ^And  now,  I  would  speak  somewhat  concerning  a  certain 
number  who  went  up  into  the  wilderness,  to  return  to  the 
land  of  Nephi: 

49  For  there  was  a  large  number  who  were  desirous  to 
possess  the  land  of  their  inheritance;  wherefore,  they  went 
up  into  the  wilderness. 

50  And  their  leader  being  a  strong  and  a  mighty  man, 
and  a  stiff-necked  man,  wherefore  he  caused  a  contention 
among  them;  and  they  were  all  slain,  save  fifty,  in  the  wil- 
derness, and  they  returned  again  to  the  land  of  Zarahemla. 

51  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  also  took  others,  to  a 
considerable  number,  and  took  their  journey  again  into  the 
wilderness. 

52  And  I,  Amaleki,  had  a  brother,  who  also  went  with 
them;    and  I  have  not  since  known  concerning  them. 

53  And  I  am  about  to  lie  down  in  my  grave;  and  these 
plates  are  full. 

54  And  I  make  an  end  of  my  speaking. 


204  WORDS    OF    MORMON.  [chap.  1, 


THE  WORDS  OF  MORMON. 


CHAPTER    1. 

i  IJAnd  now  I,  Mormon,  being  about  to  deliver  up  the  rec- 
ord which  I  have  been  making,  into  the  hands  of  my  son 
Moroni,  behold,  I  have  witnessed  almost  all  the  destruction 
of  my  people,  the  Nephites. 

2  And  it  is  many  hundred  years  after  the  coming  of  Christ, 
that  I  deliver  these  records  into  the  ihands  of  my  son ;  and  it 
supposeth  me  that  he  will  witness  the  entire  destruction  of  my 
people. 

3  But  may  God  grant  that  he  may  survive  them,  that  he 
may  write  somewhat  concerning  them,  and  somewhat  con- 
cerning Christ,  that  perhaps  some  day  it  may  profit  them. 

4  ^And  now,  I  speak  somewhat  concerning  that  which  I 
have  written:  for  after  I  had  made  an  abridgment  from  the 
plates  of  Nephi,  down  to  the  reign  of  this  King  Benjamin,  of 
whom  Amaleki  spake, 

5  I  searched  among  the  records  which  had  been  delivered 
into  my  hands,  and  I  found  these  plates,  which  contained  this 
small  account  of  the  prophets,  from  Jacob,  down  to  the  reign 
of  this  King  Benjamin :    and  also  many  of  the  words  of  Nephi. 

6  And  the  things  which  are  upon  these  plates  pleasing  me, 
because  of  the  prophecies  of  the  coming  of  Christ;  and  my 
fathers  knowing  that  many  of  them  have  been  fulfilled; 

7  Yea,  and  I  also  know  that  as  many  things  as  have  been 
prophesied  concerning  us  down  to  this  day,  have  been  ful- 
filled; and  as  many  as  go  beyond  this  day,  must  surely  come 
to  pass; 

8  Wherefore,  I  chose  these  things,  to  finish  my  record 
upon  them,  which  remainder  of  my  record  I  shall  take  from 
the  plates  of  Nephi;  and  I  can  not  write  the  hundredth  part 
of  the  things  of  my  people. 


CHAP.  1.]  WORDS    OF    MORMON.  205 

9  IJBut  behold,  I  shall  take  these  plates,  which  contain  these 
prophesyings  and  revelations,  and  put  them  with  the  remain- 
der of  my  record,  for  they  are  choice  unto  me;  and  I  know 
they  will  be  choice  unto  my  brethren. 

10  And  I  do  this  for  a  wise  purpose;  for  thus  it  whisper- 
eth  me,  according  to  the  workings  of  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord 
which  is  in  me. 

11  And  now,  I  do  not  know  all  things;  but  the  Lord  know- 
eth  all  things  which  are  to  come;  wherefore,  he  worketh  in 
me  to  do  according  to  his  will. 

12  And  my  prayer  to  God,  is  concerning  my  brethren,  that 
they  may  once  again  come  to  the  knowledge  of  God;  yea,  the 
redemption  of  Christ;  that  they  may  once  again  be  a  de- 
lightsome people. 

13  ^And  now  I,  Mormon,  proceed  to  finish  out  my  record, 
wliich  I  take  from  the  plates  of  Nephi;  and  I  make  it  accord- 
ing to  the  knowledge  and  the  understanding  which  God  has 
given  me. 

14  Wherefore,  it  came  to  pass  that  after  Amaleki  had 
delivered  up  these  plates  into  the  hands  of  King  Benjamin, 
he  took  them  and  put  them  with  the  other  plates,  which  con- 
tained records  which  had  been  handed  down  by  the  kings, 
from  generation  to  generation,  until  the  days  of  King  Ben- 
jamin; 

15  And  they  were  handed  down  from  King  Benjamin,  from 
generation  to  generation,  until  they  have  fallen  into  my 
hands. 

16  And  I,  Mormon,  pray  to  God  that  they  may  be  pre- 
served, from  this  time  henceforth. 

17  And  I  know  that  they  will  be  preserved:  for  there  are 
great  things  written  upon  them,  out  of  which  my  people  and 
their  brethren,  shall  be  judged  at  the  great  and  last  day, 
according  to  the  word  of  God  which  is  written. 

18  TJAnd  now,  concerning  this  King  Benjamin:  he  had 
somewhat  contentions  among  his  own  people. 

19  And  it  came  to  pass  also,  that  the  armies  of  the  Laman- 
ites  came  down  out  of  the  land  of  Nephi,  to  battle  against  his 
people. 


206  WORDS    OF    MORMON.  [chap.  1. 

20  But  behold,  King  Benjamin  gathered  together  his  armies, 
and  he  did  stand  against  them;  and  he  did  fight  with  the 
strength  of  his  own  arm,  with  the  sword  of  Laban; 

21  And  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord  they  did  contend  against 
their  enemies,  until  they  had  slain  many  thousands  of  the 
Lamanites. 

22  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  contend  against  the 
Lamanites,  until  they  had  driven  them  out  of  all  the  lands 
of  their  inheritance. 

23  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  after  there  had  been  false 
Christs,  and  their  mouths  had  been  shut,  and  they  punished 
according  to  their  crimes; 

24  And  after  there  had  been  false  prophets,  and  false 
preachers  and  teachers  among  the  people,  and  all  these  hav- 
ing been  punished  according  to  their  crimes; 

25  And  after  there  having  been  much  contentions  and 
many  dissensions,  away  unto  the  Lamanites,  behold,  it  came 
to  pass  that  King  Benjamin,  with  the  assistance  of  the  holy 
prophets  who  were  among  his  people;  for  behold,  King  Ben- 
jamin was  a  holy  man,  and  he  did  reign  over  his  people  in 
righteousness. 

26  And  there  were  many  holy  men  in  the  land;  and  they 
did  speak  the  word  of  God,  with  power  and  with  authority; 
and  they  did  use  much  sharpness  because  of  the  stiff-necked- 
ness  of  the  people; 

27  Wherefore,  with  the  help  of  these.  King  Benjamin,  by 
laboring  with  all  the  might  of  his  body  and  the  faculty  of 
his  whole  soul,  and  also  the  prophets,  did  once  more  estab- 
lish peace  in  the  land. 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  207 


THE  BOOK  OF  MOSIAH. 


CHAPTER  1. 

1  ^And  now  there  was  no  more  contention  in  all  the  land 
of  Zarahemla,  among  all  the  people  who  belonged  to  King 
Benjamin,  so  that  King  Benjamin  had  continual  peace  all 
the  remainder  of  his  days. 

2  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  had  three  sons;  and  he 
called  their  names  Mosiah,  and  Helorum,  and  Helaman. 

3  And  he  caused  that  they  should  be  taught  in  all  the  lan- 
guage of  his  fathers,  that  thereby  they  might  become  men  of 
understanding;  and  that  they  might  know  concerning  the 
prophecies  which  had  been  spoken  by  the  mouths  of  their 
fathers,  which  were  delivered  them  by  the  hand  of  the  Lord. 

4  And  he  also  taught  them  concerning  the  records  which 
were  engraven  on  the  plates  of  brass,  saying.  My  sons,  I 
would  that  ye  should  remember,  that  were  it  not  for  these 
plates,  which  contain  these  records  and  these  commandments, 
we  must  have  suffered  in  ignorance,  even  at  this  present 
time,  not  knowing  the  mysteries  of  God: 

5  For  it  were  not  possible  that  our  father  Lehi  could  have 
remembered  all  these  things,  to  have  taught  them  to  his  chil- 
dren, except  it  were  for  the  help  of  these  plates: 

6  For  he  having  been  taught  in  the  language  of  the  Egyp- 
tians, therefore  he  could  read  these  engravings,  and  teach 
them  to  his  children,  that  thereby  they  could  teach  them  to 
their  children,  and  so  fulfilling  the  commandments  of  God, 
even  down  to  this  present  time. 

7  I  say  unto  you,  my  sons.  Were  it  not  for  these  things, 
which  have  been  kept  and  preserved  by  the  hand  of  God,  that 
we  might  read  and  understand  of  his  mysteries,  and  have 
his  commandments  always  before  our  eyes,  that  even  our 
fathers  would  have  dwindled  in  unbelief, 


208  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  1. 

8  And  we  should  have  been  like  unto  our  brethren,  the  La- 
manites,  who  know  nothing  concerning  these  things,  or  even 
do  not  believe  them  when  they  are  taught  them,  because  of 
the  traditions  of  their  fathers,  which  are  not  correct. 

9  0  my  sons,  I  would  that  ye  should  remember  that  these 
sayings  are  true;    and  also,  that  these  records  are  true. 

10  And  behold,  also  the  plates  of  Nephi,  which  contain  the 
records  and  the  sayings  of  our  fathers  from  the  time  they 
left  Jerusalem,  until  now;  and  they  are  true;  and  we  can 
know  of  their  surety,  because  we  have  them  before  our  eyes. 

11  And  now,  my  sons,  I  would  that  ye  should  remember  to 
search  them  diligently,  that  ye  may  profit  thereby; 

12  And  I  would  that  ye  should  keep  the  commandments  of 
God,  that  ye  may  prosper  in  the  land,  according  to  the  prom- 
ises which  the  Lord  made  unto  our  fathers. 

13  And  many  more  things  did  King  Benjamin  teach  his 
sons,  which  are  not  written  in  this  book. 

14  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  after  King  Benjamin  had 
made  an  end  of  teaching  his  sons  that  he  waxed  old;  and  he 
saw  that  he  must  very  soon  go  the  way  of  all  the  earth; 
therefore,  he  thought  it  expedient  that  he  should  confer  the 
kingdom  upon  one  of  his  sons. 

15  Therefore,  he  had  Mosiah  brought  before  him;  and 
these  are  the  words  which  he  spake  unto  him,  saying:  My 
son,  I  would  that  ye  should  make  a  proclamation  throughout 
all  this  land,  among  all  this  people,  or  the  people  of  Zara- 
hemla,  and  the  people  of  Mosiah,  who  dwell  in  this  land, 
that  thereby  they  may  be  gathered  together: 

16  For  on  the  morrow,  I  shall  proclaim  unto  this  my  peo- 
ple, out  of  mine  own  mouth,  that  thou  art  a  king  and  a  ruler 
over  this  people,  whom  the  Lord  our  God  hath  given  us. 

17  And  moreover,  I  shall  give  this  people  a  name,  that 
thereby  they  may  be  distinguished  above  all  the  people  which 
the  Lord  God  hath  brought  out  of  the  land  of  Jerusalem;  and 
this  I  do,  because  they  have  been  a  diligent  people  in  keep- 
ing the  commandments  of  the  Lord. 

18  And  I.  give  unto  them  a  name,  that  never  shall  be  blotted 
out,  except  it  be  through  transgression. 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  209 

19  Yea,  and  moreover  I  say  unto  you,  that  if  this  highly 
favored  people  of  the  Lord  should  fall  into  transgression, 
and  become  a  wicked  and  an  adulterous  people,  that  the  Lord 
will  deliver  them  up,  that  thereby  they  become  weak,  like 
unto  their  brethren; 

20  And  he  will  no  more  preserve  them,  by  his  matchless 
and  marvelous  power^  as  he  has  hitherto  preserved  our 
fathers. 

21  For  I  say  unto  you,  that  if  he  had  not  extended  his  arm 
in  the  preservation  of  our  fathers,  they  must  have  fallen  into 
the  hands  of  the  Lamanites,  and  become  victims  to  their 
hatred. 

22  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  after  King  Benjamin  had 
made  an  end  of  these  sayings  to  his  son,  that  he  gave  him 
charge  concerning  all  the  affairs  of  the  kingdom. 

23  And  moreover,  he  also  gave  him  charge  concerning  the 
records  which  were  engraven  on  the  plates  of  brass;  and  also, 
the  plates  of  Nephi; 

24  And  also,  the  sword  of  Laban,  and  the  ball  or  director, 
which  led  our  fathers  through  the  wilderness,  which  was  pre- 
pared by  the  hand  of  the  Lord,  that  thereby  they  might  be  led, 
every  one  according  to  the  heed  and  diligence  which  they  gave 
unto  him. 

25  Therefore,  as  they  were  unfaithful,  they  did  not  pros- 
per nor  progress  in  their  journey,  but  were  driven  back,  and 
incurred  the  displeasure  of  God  upon  them; 

26  And  therefore,  they  were  smitten  with  famine  and  sore 
afflictions,  to  stir  them  up  in  remembrance  of  their  duty. 

27  ^And  now,  it  came  to  pass  that  Mosiah  went  and  did  as 
his  father  had  commanded  him,  and  proclaimed  unto  all  the 
people  who  were  in  the  land  of  Zarahemla,  that  thereby  they 
might  gather  themselves  together,  to  go  up  to  the  temple,  to 
hear  the  words  which  his  father  should  speak  unto  them. 

28  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  after  Mosiah  had  done  as  his 
father  had  commanded  him,  and  had  made  a  proclamation 
throughout  all  the  land,  that  the  people  gathered  themselves 
together  throughout  all  the  land,  that  they  might  go  up  to 


210  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  1. 

the  temple  to  hear  the  words  which  King  Benjamin  should 
speak  unto  them. 

29  And  there  were  a  great  number,  even  so  many  that 
they  did  not  number  them;  for  they  had  multiplied  exceed- 
ingly, and  waxed  great  in  the  land. 

30  And  they  also  took  of  the  firstlings  of  their  flocks,  that 
they  might  offer  sacrifice  and  burnt  offerings,  according  to 
the  law  of  Moses; 

31  And  also,  that  they  might  give  thanks  to  the  Lord  their 
God,  who  had  brought  them  out  of  the  land  of  Jerusalem,  and 
who  had  delivered  them  out  of  the  hands  of  their  enemies, 
and  had  appointed  just  men  to  be  their  teachers,  and  also, 
a  just  man  to  be  their  king, 

32  Who  had  established  peace  in  the  land  of  Zarahemla, 
and  who  had  taught  them  to  keep  the  commandments  of  God, 
that  thereby  they  might  rejoice,  and  be  filled  with  love  to- 
wards God,  and  all  men. 

33  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  they  came  up  to  the 
temple,  they  pitched  their  tents  round  about,  every  man  ac- 
cording to  his  family,  consisting  of  his  wife,  and  his  sons, 
and  his  daughters,  and  their  sons,  and  their  daughters,  from 
the  eldest  down  to  the  youngest,  every  family  being  separate, 
one  from  another; 

34  And  they  pitched  their  tents  round  about  the  temple, 
every  man  having  his  tent  with  the  door  thereof  towards 
the  temple,  that  thereby  they  might  remain  in  their  tents, 
and  hear  the  words  which  King  Benjamin  should  speak  unto 
them; 

35  For  the  multitude  being  so  great,  that  King  Benjamin 
could  not  teach  them  all  within  the  walls  of  the  temple;  there- 
fore he  caused  a  tower  to  be  erected;  that  thereby  his  people 
might  hear  the  words  which  he  should  speak  unto  them. 

36  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  began  to  speak  to  his  peo- 
ple from  the  tower;  and  they  could  not  all  hear  his  words, 
because  of  the  greatness  of  the  multitude; 

37  Therefore,  he  caused  that  the  words  which  he  spake, 
should  be  written  and  sent  forth  among  those  that  were  not 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  211 

under  the  sound  of  his  voice,  that  they  might  also  receive  his 
words, 

88  And  these  are  the  M^ords  which  he  spake  and  caused  to 
be  v/ritten,  saying:  My  brethren,  all  ye  that  have  assembled 
yourselves  together,  you  that  can  hear  my  words  which  I 
shall  speak  unto  you  this  day: 

39  For  I  have  not  commanded  you  to  come  up  hither  to 
trifle  v/ith  the  words  which  I  shall  speak,  but  that  you  should 
hearken  unto  me,  and  open  your  ears  that  ye  may  hear,  and 
your  hearts  that  ye  may  understand,  and  your  minds  that 
the  mysteries  of  God  may  be  unfolded  to  your  view. 

40  I  have  not  commanded  you  to  come  up  hither,  that  ye 
should  fear  me,  or  that  ye  should  think  that  I,  of  myself,  am 
more  than  a  mortal  man; 

41  But  I  am  like  as  yourselves,  subject  to  all  manner  of 
infirmities  in  body  and  mind; 

42  Yet,  as  I  have  been  chosen  by  this  people,  and  was 
consecrated  by  my  father,  and  was  suffered  by  the  hand  of 
the  Lord  that  I  should  De  a  ruler,  and  a  king  over  this  people; 
and  have  been  kept  and  preserved  by  his  matchless  power, 
to  serve  thee  with  all  the  might,  mind,  and  strength  which 
the  Lord  hath  granted  unto  me; 

43  I  say  unto  you,  that  as  I  have  been  suffered  to  spend  my 
days  in  your  service,  even  up  to  this  time,  and  have  not  sought 
gold  nor  silver,  nor  any  manner  of  riches  of  you; 

44  Neither  have  I  suffered  that  ye  should  be  confined  in 
dungeons,  nor  that  ye  should  make  slaves  one  of  another,  or 
that  ye  should  murder,  or  plunder,  or  steal,  or  commit  adul- 
tery, 

45  Or  even  I  have  not  suffered  that  ye  should  commit  any 
manner  of  wickedness,  and  have  taught  you  that  ye  should 
keep  the  commandments  of  the  Lord,  in  all  things  which  he 
hath  commanded  you; 

46  And  even  I,  myself,  have  labored  with  mine  own  hands, 
that  I  might  serve  you,  and  that  ye  should  not  be  laden  with 
taxes,  and  that  there  should  nothing  come  upon  you  which 
was  grievous  to  be  borne;  and  of  all  these  things  which  I 
have  spoken,  ye  yourselves  are  witnesses  this  day. 


212  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  1. 

47  Yet,  my  brethren,  I  have  not  done  these  things  that  I 
might  boast,  neither  do  I  tell  these  things  that  thereby  I 
might  accuse  you;  but  I  tell  you  these  things  that  ye  may 
know  that  I  can  answer  a  clear  conscience  before  God  this 
day. 

48  Behold,  I  say  unto  you,  that  because  I  said  unto  you 
that  I  had  spent  my  days  in  your  service,  I  do  not  desire  to 
boast,  for  I  have  only  been  in  the  service  of  God. 

49  And  behold,  I  tell  you  these  things  that  ye  may  learn 
wisdom;  that  ye  may  learn  that  when  ye  are  in  the  service 
of  your  fellow  beings,  ye  are  only  in  the  service  of  your  God. 

50  Behold,  ye  have  called  me  your  king;  and  if  I,  whom 
ye  call  your  king,  do  labor  to  serve  you,  then  had  not  ye  ought 
to  labor  to  serve  one  another? 

51  And  behold,  also,  if  I,  whom  ye  call  your  king,  who  has 
spent  his  days  in  your  service,  and  yet  has  been  in  the  serv- 
ice of  God,  doth  merit  any  thanks  from  you,  O  how  had  you 
ought  to  thank  your  heavenly  King! 

52  I  say  unto  you,  my  brethren,  that  if  you  should  render 
all  the  thanks  and  praise  which  your  whole  souls  have  power 
to  possess,  to  that  God  who  has  created  you,  and  has  kept 
and  preserved  you,  and  has  caused  that  ye  should  rejoice, 
and  has  granted  that  ye  should  live  in  peace  one  with  an- 
other; 

53  I  say  unto  you,  that  if  ye  should  serve  him  who  has 
created  you  from  the  beginning,  and  art  preserving  you  from 
day  to  day,  by  lending  you  breath,  that  ye  may  live  and  move, 
and  do  according  to  your  own  will,  and  even  supporting  you 
from  one  moment  to  another; 

54  I  say,  if  ye  should  serve  him  with  all  your  whole  soul, 
yet  ye  would  be  unprofitable  servants. 

55  And  behold,  all  that  he  requires  of  you,  is  to  keep  his 
commandments;  and  he  has  promised  you  that  if  ye  would 
keep  his  commandments,  ye  should  prosper  in  the  land; 

56  And  he  never  doth  v^ry  from  that  which  he  hath  said; 
therefore,  if  ye  do  keep  his  commandments,  he  doth  bless  you, 
and  prosper  you. 

57  IJAnd  nov7,  in  the  first  place,  he  hath  created  you,  and 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  213 

granted  unto  you  your  lives,  for  which  ye  are  indebted  unto 
him. 

58  And  secondly:  he  doth  require  that  ye  should  do  as 
he  hath  commanded  you,  for  which  if  ye  do,  he  doth  immedi- 
ately bless  you;    and  therefore,  he  hath  paid  you. 

59  And  ye  are  still  indebted  unto  him;  and  are,  and  will 
be,  for  ever  and  ever;    therefore,  of  what  have  ye  to  boast? 

60  And  now  I  ask.  Can  ye  say  aught  of  yourselves?  I 
answer  you.  Nay. 

61  Ye  can  not  say  that  ye  are  even  as  much  as  the  dust  of 
the  earth:  yet  ye  were  created  of  the  dust  of  the  earth:  but 
behold,  it  belongeth  to  him  who  created  you. 

62  And  I,  even  I,  whom  ye  call  your  king,  am  no  better 
than  ye  yourselves  are;    for  I  am  also  of  the  dust. 

63  And  ye  behold  that  I  am  old,  and  am  about  to  yield  up 
this  mortal  frame  to  its  mother  earth; 

64  Therefore,  as  I  said  unto  you  that  I  had  served  you, 
walking  with  a  clear  conscience  before  God,  even  so  I  at 
this  time  have  caused  that  ye  should  assemble  yourselves  to- 
gether, that  I  might  be  found  blameless,  and  that  your  blood 
should  not  come  upon  me,  when  I  shall  stand  to  be  judged  of 
God  of  the  things  whereof  he  hath  commanded  me  concerning 
you. 

65  I  say  unto  you,  that  I  have  caused  that  ye  should 
assemble  yourselves  together,  that  I  might  rid  my  garments 
of  your  blood,  at  this  period  of  time  when  I  am  about  to  go 
down  to  my  grave, 

66  That  I  might  go  down  in  peace,  and  my  immortal  spirit 
may  join  the  choirs  above  in  singing  the  praises  of  a  just 
God. 

67  And  moreover,  I  say  unto  you,  that  I  have  caused  that 
ye  should  assemble  yourselves  together,  that  I  might  declare 
unto  you  that  I  can  no  longer  be  your  teacher,  nor  your  king; 

68  For  even  at  this  time,  my  whole  frame  doth  tremble 
exceedingly,  while  attempting  to  speak  unto  you; 

69  But  the  Lord  God  doth  support  me,  and  hath  suffered 
me,  that  I  should  speak  unto  you^  and  hath  commanded  me, 


214  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  1. 

that  I  should  declare  unto  you  this  day,  that  my  son  Mosiah, 
is  a  king  and  a  ruler  over  you. 

70  IJAnd  now,  my  brethren,  I  would  that  ye  should  do  as 
ye  have  hitherto  done. 

71  As  ye  have  kept  my  commandments,  and  also  the  com- 
mandments of  my  father,  and  have  prospered,  and  have  been 
kept  from  falling  into  the  hands  of  your  enemies, 

72  Even  so  if  ye  shall  keep  the  commandments  of  my  son, 
or  the  commandments  of  God,  which  shall  be  delivered  unto 
you  by  him,  ye  shall  prosper  in  the  land,  and  your  enemies 
shall  have  no  power  over  you. 

73  But  O  my  people,  beware  lest  there  shall  arise  conten- 
tions among  you,  and  ye  list  to  obey  the  evil  spirit,  which 
was  spoken  of  by  my  father  Mosiah. 

74  For  behold,  there  is  a  wo  pronounced  upon  him  who  list- 
eth  to  obey  that  spirit:  for  if  he  listeth  to  obey  him,  and 
remaineth  and  dieth  in  his  sins,  the  same  drinketh  damnation 
to  his  own  soul; 

75  For  he  receiveth  for  his  wages  an  everlasting  punish- 
ment, having  transgressed  the  law  of  God,  contrary  to  his 
own  knowledge. 

76  I  say  unto  you,  that  there  are  not  any  among  you,  except 
it  be  your  little  children,  that  have  not  been  taught  concerning 
these  things,  but  what  knoweth  that  ye  are  eternally  in- 
debted to  your  heavenly  Father, 

77  To  render  to  him  all  that  you  have,  and  are,  and  also 
have  been  taught,  concerning  the  records  which  contain  the 
prophecies  which  have  been  spoken  by  the  holy  prophets,  even 
down  to  the  time  our  father  Lehi  left  Jerusalem;  and  also, 
all  that  has  been  spoken  by  our  fathers,  until  now. 

78  And  behold,  also,  they  spake  that  which  was  commanded 
them  of  the  Lord;    therefore,  they  are  just  and  true. 

79  IJAnd  now,  I  say  unto  you,  my  brethren,  that  after  ye 
have  known  and  have  been  taught  all  these  things,  if  ye 
should  transgress,  and  go  contrary  to  that  which  has  been 
spoken,  that  ye  do  withdraw  yourselves  from  the  Spirit  of 
the  Lord,  that  it  may  have  no  place  in  you  to  guide  you  in 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  215 

wisdom's  paths,  that  ye  may  be  blessed,  prospered,  and  pre- 
served. 

80  I  say  unto  you,  that  the  man  that  doeth  this,  the  same 
Cometh  out  in  open  rebellion  against  God; 

81  Therefore  he  listeth  to  obey  the  evil  spirit,  and  be- 
cometh  an  enemy  to  all  righteousness; 

82  Therefore,  the  Lord  has  no  place  in  him,  for  he  dwelleth 
not  in  unlroly  temples. 

83  Therefore,  if  that  man  repenteth  not,  and  remaineth  and 
dieth  an  enemy  to  God,  the  demands  of  divine  justice  doth 
awaken  his  immortal  soul  to  a  lively  sense  of  his  own  guilt, 

84  Which  doth  cause  him  to  shrink  from  the  presence  of 
the  Lord,  and  doth  fill  his  breast  with  guilt,  and  pain,  and 
anguish,  which  is  like  an  unquenchable  fire,  whose  flames 
ascendeth  up  for  ever  and  ever. 

85  And  now  I  say  unto  you,  that  mercy  hath  no  claim  on 
that  man;  therefore,  his  final  doom  is  to  endure  a  never 
ending  torment. 

86  TJO  all  ye  old  men,  and  also  ye  young  men,  and  you 
little  children,  who  can  understand  my  words,  (for  I  have 
spoken  plain  unto  you,  that  ye  might  understand,) 

87  I  pray  that  ye  should  awake  to  a  remembrance  of  the 
awful  situation  of  those  that  have  fallen  into  transgression; 

88  And  moreover,  I  would  desire  that  ye  should  consider 
on  the  blessed  and  happy  state  of  those  that  keep  the  com- 
mandments of  God. 

89  For  behold,  they  are  blessed  in  all  things,  both  tem- 
poral and  spiritual; 

90  And  if  they  hold  out  faithful  to  the  end,  they  are  re- 
ceived into  heaven,  that  thereby  they  may  dwell  with  God  in 
a  state  of  never  ending  happiness. 

91  0  remember,  remember  that  these  things  are  true;  for 
the  Lord  God  hath  spoken  it. 

92  TJAnd  again,  my  brethren,  I  would  call  your  attention, 
for  I  have  somewhat  more  to  speak  unto  you: 

93  For  behold,  I  have  things  to  tell  you,  concerning  that 
which  is  to  come;  and  the  things  which  I  shall  tell  you,  are 
made  known  unto  me,  by  an  angel  from  God. 


216  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  1. 

94  And  he  said  unto  me,  Awake;  and  I  awoke,  and  behold, 
he  stood  before  me. 

95  And  he  said  unto  me.  Awake,  and  hear  the  words  which 
I  shall  tell  thee:  for  behold,  I  am  come  to  declare  unto  thee 
glad  tidings  of  great  joy. 

96  For  the  Lord  hath  heard  thy  prayers,  and  hath  judged 
of  thy  righteousness,  and  hath  sent  me  to  declare  unto  thee 
that  thou  mayest  rejoice;  and  that  thou  mayest  declare  unto 
thy  people,  that  they  may  also  be  filled  with  joy. 

97  For  behold,  the  time  cometh,  and  is  not  far  distant,  that 
with  power,  the  Lord  Omnipotent  who  reigneth,  who  was,  and 
is  from  all  eternity  to  all  eternity,  shall  come  down  from 
heaven,  among  the  children  of  men,  and  shall  dwell  in  a 
tabernacle  of  clay, 

98  And  shall  go  forth  amongst  men,  working  mighty  mira- 
cles, such  as  healing  the  sick,  raising  the  dead,  causing  the 
lame  to  walk,  the  blind  to  receive  their  sight,  and  the  deaf 
to  hear,  and  curing  all  manner  of  diseases; 

99  And  he  shall  cast  out  devils,  or  the  evil  spirits  which 
dwell  in  the  hearts  of  the  children  of  men. 

100  And  lo,  he  shall  suifer  temptations,  and  pain  of  body, 
hunger,  thirst,  and  fatigue,  even  more  than  man  can  suffer, 
except  it  be  unto  death; 

101  For  behold,  blood  cometh  from  every  pore,  so  great 
shall  be  his  anguish  for  the  wickedness  and  the  abomina- 
tions of  his  people. 

102  And  he  shall  be  called  Jesus  Christ,  the  Son  of  God, 
the  Father  of  heaven  and  earth,  the  Creator  of  all  things, 
from  the  beginning;    and  his  mother  shall  be  called  Mary. 

103  And  lo,  he  cometh  unto  his  own,  that  salvation  might 
come  unto  the  children  of  men,  even  through  faith,  on  his 
name; 

104  And  even  after  all  this,  they  shall  consider  him  a  man, 
and  say  that  he  hath  a  devil,  and  shall  scourge  him,  and  shall 
crucify  him. 

105  And  he  shall  rise  the  third  day  from  the  dead;  and 
behold,  he  standeth  to  judge  the  world. 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  217 

106  And  behold,  all  these  things  are  done,  that  a  righteous 
judgment  might  come  upon  the  children  of  men. 

107  For  behold,  and  also  his  blood  atoneth  for  the  sins  of 
those  who  have  fallen  by  the  transgression  of  Adam,  who 
have  died,  not  knowing  the  will  of  God  concerning  them,  or 
who  have  ignorantly  sinned. 

108  But  wo,  wo  unto  him  who  knoweth  that  he  rebelleth 
against  God;  for  salvation  cometh  to  none  such,  except  it  be 
through  repentance  and  faith  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

109  And  the  Lord  God  hath  sent  his  holy  prophets  among 
all  the  children  of  men  to  declare  these  things  to  every  kin- 
dred, nation,  and  tongue,  that  thereby  whosoever  should  be- 
lieve that  Christ  should  come,  the  same  might  receive  remis- 
sion of  their  sins,  and  rejoice  with  exceeding  great  joy,  even 
as  though  he  had  already  come  among  them. 

110  Yet  the  Lord  God  saw  that  his  people  were  a  stiff- 
necked  people,  and  he  appointed  unto  them  a  law,  even  the 
law  of  Moses. 

111  And  many  signs,  and  wonders,  and  types,  and  shadows 
shewed  he  unto  them,  concerning  his  coming: 

112  And  also  holy  prophets  spake  unto  them  concerning 
his  coming; 

113  And  yet  they  hardened  their  hearts,  and  understood 
not  that  the  law  of  Moses  availeth  nothing,  except  it  were 
through  the  atonement  of  his  blood; 

114  And  even  if  it  were  possible  that  little  children  could 
sin,  they  could  not  be  saved;  but  I  say  unto  you,  they  are 
blessed; 

115  For  behold  as  in  Adam,  or  by  nature  they  fall,  even 
so  the  blood  of  Christ  atoneth  for  their  sins. 

116  And  moreover,  I  say  unto  you,  that  there  shall  be  no 
other  name  given,  nor  any  other  way  nor  means  whereby 
salvation  can  come  unto  the  children  of  men,  only  in  and 
through  the  name  of  Christ,  the  Lord  Omnipotent. 

117  For  behold,  he  judgeth,  and  his  judgment  is  just,  and 
the  infant  perisheth  not,  that  dieth  in  his  infancy; 

118  But  men  drink  damnation  to  their  own  souls,  except 
they  humble  themselves,  and  become  as  little  children,  and 


218  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  1. 

believe  that  salvation  was,  and  is,  and  is  to  come,  in  and 
through  the  atoning  blood  of  Christ,  the  Lord  Omnipotent: 

119  For  the  natural  man  is  an  enemy  to  God,  and  has 
been,  from  the  fall  of  Adam,  and  will  be,  for  ever  and  ever; 

120  But  if  he  yields  to  the  enticings  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
and  putteth  off  the  natural  man,  and  becometh  a  saint, 
through  the  atonement  of  Christ,  the  Lord,  and  becometh  as 
a  child,  submissive,  meek,  humble,  patient,  full  of  love,^  will- 
ing to  submit  to  all  things  which  the  Lord  seeth  fit  to  inflict 
upon  him,  even  as  a  child  doth  submit  to  his  father. 

121  And  moreover,  I  say  unto  you,  that  the  time  shall 
come,  when  the  knowledge  of  a  Savior  shall  spread  through- 
out every  nation,  kindred,  tongue,  and  people. 

122  And  behold,  when  that  time  cometh,  none  shall  be 
found  blameless  before  God,  except  it  be  little  children,  only 
through  repentance  and  faith  on  the  name  of  the  Lord  God 
Omnipotent ; 

123  And  even  at  this  time,  when  thou  shalt  have  taught 
thy  people  the  things  which  the  Lord  thy  God  hath  com- 
m.anded  thee,  even  then  are  they  found  no  more  blameless  in 
the  sight  of  God,  only  according  to  the  words  which  I  have 
spoken  unto  thee. 

124  ^And  now,  I  have  spoken  the  words  which  the  Lord 
God  hath  commanded  me. 

125  And  thus  saith  the  Lord :  They  shall  stand  as  a  bright 
testimony  against  this  people,  at  the  judgment  day; 

126  Whereof,  they  shall  be  judged,  every  man,  according 
to  his  works,  whether  they  be  good,  or  whether  they  be  evil; 

127  And  if  they  be  evil,  they  are  consigned  to  an  awful 
view  of  their  ov/n  guilt  and  abominations,  which  doth  cause 
them  to  shrink  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  into  a  state 
of  misery  and  endless  torment,  from  whence  they  can  no 
more  return:  therefore,  they  have  drunk  damnation  to  their 
own  souls. 

128  Therefore,  they  have  drunk  out  of  the  cup  of  the 
wrath  of  God,  which  justice  could  no  more  deny  unto  them 
than  it  could  deny  that  Adam  should  fall,  because  of  his  par- 


CHAP.  2.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  219 

taking  of  the  forbidden  fruit;    therefore,  mercy  could  have 
claim  on  them  no  more  for  ever. 

129  And  their  torment  is  as  a  lake  of  fire  and  brimstone, 
whose  flames  are  unquenchable,  and  whose  smoke  ascendeth 
up  for  ever  and  ever. 

130  Thus  hath  the  Lord  commanded  me.     Amen. 


CHAPTER  2. 

1  ^And  now,  it  came  to  pass  that  when  King  Benjamin  had 
made  an  end  of  speaking  the  words  which  had  been  delivered 
unto  him  by  the  angel  of  the  Lord,  that  he  cast  his  eyes  round 
about  on  the  multitude,  and  behold  they  had  fallen  to  the 
earth,  for  the  fear  of  the  Lord  had  come  upon  them; 

2  And  they  had  viewed  themselves  in  their  own  carnal 
state,  even  less  than  the  dust  of  the  earth. 

3  And  they  all  cried  aloud  with  one  voice,  saying,  O  have 
mercy,  and  apply  the  atoning  blood  of  Christ,  that  we  may 
receive  forgiveness  of  our  sins,  and  our  hearts  may  be  puri- 
fied: 

4  For  we  believe  in  Jesus  Christ,  tne  Son  of  God,  who 
created  heaven  and  earth,  and  all  things,  who  shall  come 
down  among  the  children  of  men. 

5  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  after  they  had  spoken  these 
words,  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  came  upon  them,  and  they  were 
filled  with  joy, 

6  Having  received  a  remission  of  their  sins,  and  having 
peace  of  conscience,  because  of  the  exceeding  faith  which  they 
had  in  Jesus  Christ  who  should  come,  according  to  the  words 
which  King  Benjamin  had  spoken  unto  them. 

7  And  King  Benjamin  again  opened  his  mouth,  and  began 
to  speak  unto  them,  saying.  My  friends  and  my  brethren, 
my  kindred  and  my  people,  1  would  again  call  your  attention, 
that  ye  may  hear  and  understand  the  remainder  of  my  words 
which  I  shall  speak  unto  you; 

S  For  behold,  if  the  knowledge  of  the  goodness  of  God  at 


220  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  2. 

this  time,  has  awakened  you  to  a  sense  of  your  nothingness, 
and  your  worthless  and  fallen  state; 

9  I  say  unto  you,  if  ye  have  come  to  a  knowledge  of  the 
goodness  of  God,  and  his  matchless  power,  and  his  wisdom, 
and  his  patience,  and  his  long  suffering  towards  the  children 
of  men, 

10  And  also,  the  atonement  which  has  been  prepared  from 
the  foundation  of  the  world,  that  thereby  salvation  might 
come  to  him  that  should  put  his  trust  in  the  Lord,  and  should 
be  diligent  in  keeping  his  commandments,  and  continue  in  the 
faith  even  unto  the  end  of  his  life;  I  mean  the  life  of  the 
mortal  body; 

11  I  say,  that  this  is  the  man  who  receiveth  salvation, 
through  the  atonement  which  was  prepared  from  the  founda- 
tion of  the  world,  for  all  mankind,  which  ever  were,  ever 
since  the  fall  of  Adam,  or  who  are  or  who  ever  shall  be,  even 
unto  the  end  of  the  world;  and  this  is  the  means  whereby 
salvation  cometh. 

12  And  there  is  none  other  salvation,  save  this  which  hath 
been  spoken  of;  neither  is  there  any  conditions  whereby  man 
can  be  saved,  except  the  conditions  which  I  have  told  you. 

13  Believe  in  God;  believe  that  he  is,  and  that  he  created 
all  things,  both  in  heaven  and  in  earth; 

14  Believe  that  he  has  all  wisdom,  and  all  power,  both  in 
heaven  and  in  earth; 

15  Believe  that  man  doth  not  comprehend  all  things  which 
the  Lord  can  comprehend. 

16  And  again:  Believe  that  ye  must  repent  of  your  sins 
and  forsake  them,  and  humble  yourselves  before  God;  and 
ask  in  sincerity  of  heart  that  he  would  forgive  you : 

17  And  now,  if  you  believe  all  these  things,  see  that  ye  do 
them. 

18  And  again  I  say  unto  you  as  I  have  said  before,  that 
as  ye  have  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God, 

19  Or  if  ye  have  known  of  his  goodness,  and  have  tasted 
of  his  love,  and  have  received  a  remission  of  your  sins,  which 
causeth  such  exceeding  great  joy  in  your  souls, 

20  Even  so  I  would  that  ye  should  remember,  and  always 


CHAP.  2.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  221. 

retain  in  remembrance,  the  greatness  of  God,  and  your  own 
nothingness,  and  his  goodness  and  long  suffering  towards  you 
unworthy  creatures, 

21  And  humble  yourselves  even  in  the  depths  of  humility, 
calling  on  the  name  of  the  Lord  daily,  and  standing  stead- 
fastly in  the  faith  of  that  which  is  to  come,  which  was  spoken 
by  the  mouth  of  the  angel; 

22  And  behold,  I  say  unto  you,  that  if  ye  do  this,  ye  shall 
always  rejoice,  and  be  filled  with  the  love  of  God,  and  always 
retain  a  remission  of  your  sins; 

23  And  ye  shall  grow  in  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  him 
that  created  you,  or  in  the  knowledge  of  that  which  is  just 
and  true. 

24  And  ye  will  not  have  a  mind  to  injure  one  another,  but 
to  live  peaceably,  and  to  render  to  every  man  according  to 
that  which  is  his  due. 

25  And  ye  will  not  suffer  your  children,  that  they  go  hun- 
gry, or  naked; 

26  Neither  will  ye  suffer  that  they  transgress  the  laws  of 
God,  and  fight  and  quarrel  one  with  another,  and  serve  the 
devil,  who  is  the  master  of  sin,  or  who  is  the  evil  spirit  which 
hath  been  spoken  of  by  our  fathers ;  he  being  an  enemy  to  all 
righteousness ; 

27  But  ye  will  teach  them  to  walk  in  the  ways  of  truth  and 
soberness;  ye  will  teach  them  to  love  one  another,  and  to 
serve  one  another; 

28  And  also,  ye  yourselves  will  succor  those  that  stand  in 
need  of  your  succor;  ye  will  administer  of  your  substance 
unto  him  that  standeth  in  need; 

29  And  ye  will  not  suffer  that  the  beggar  putteth  up  his 
petition  to  you  in  vain,  and  turn  him  out  to  perish. 

30  Perhaps  thou  shalt  say.  The  man  has  brought  upon  him- 
self his  misery;  therefore  I  will  stay  my  hand,  and  will  not 
give  unto  him  of  my  food,  nor  impart  unto  him  of  my  sub- 
stance, that  he  may  not  suffer,  for  his  punishments  are  just. 

31  But  I  say  unto  you,  O  man,  whosoever  doeth  this,  the 
same  hath  great  cause  to  repent;    and  except  he  repenteth  of 


222  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  2. 

that  which  he  hath  done,  he  perisheth  for  ever,  and  hath  no 
interest  in  the  kingdom  of  God. 

32  For  behold,  are  we  not  all  beggars?  Do  we  not  all  de- 
pend upon  the  same  being,  even  God,  for  all  the  substance 
which  we  have;  for  both  food,  and  raiment,  and  for  gold, 
and  for  silver,  and  for  all  the  riches  which  we  have  of  every 
kind? 

33  And  behold,  even  at  this  time,  ye  have  been  calling  on 
his  name,  and  begging  for  a  remission  of  your  sins. 

34  And  has  he  suffered  that  ye  have  begged  in  vain? 

35  Nay;  he  has  poured  out  his  Spirit  upon  you,  and  has 
caused  that  your  hearts  should  be  filled  with  joy,  and  has 
caused  that  your  mouths  should  be  stopped,  that  ye  could  not 
find  utterance,  so  exceeding  great  was  your  joy. 

36  And  now,  if  God,  who  has  created  you,  on  whom  you 
are  dependent  for  your  lives,  and  for  all  that  ye  have  and 
are,  doth  grant  unto  you  whatsoever  ye  ask  that  is  right,  in 
faith,  believing  that  ye  shall  receive,  O  then,  how  had  ye 
ought  to  impart  of  the  substance  that  ye  have,  one  to  another? 

37  And  if  ye  judge  the  man  who  putteth  up  his  petition  to 
you  for  your  substance,  that  he  perish  not,  and  condemn  him, 
how  much  more  just  will  be  your  condemnation,  for  withhold- 
ing your  substance,  which  doth  not  belong  to*  you,  but  to 
God,  to  whom  also,  your  life  belongeth; 

38  And  yet  ye  put  up  no  petition,  nor  repent  of  the  thing 
which  thou  hast  done. 

39  I  say  unto  you,  wo  be  unto  that  man,  for  his  substance 
shall  perish  with  him ;  and  now,  I  say  these  things  unto  those 
who  are  rich,  as  pertaining  to  the  things  of  this  world. 

40  And  again,  I  say  unto  the  poor,  ye  who  have  not  and 
yet  have  sufficient,  that  ye  remain  from  day  to  day;  I  mean 
all  you  who  deny  the  beggar,  because  ye  have  not;  I  would 
that  ye  say  in  your  hearts,  that  I  give  not  because  I  have  not; 
but  if  I  had,  I  would  give. 

41  And  now,  if  ye  say  this  in  your  hearts,  ye  remain  guilt- 
less, otherwise  ye  are  condemned,  and  your  condemnation  is 
just;    for  ye  covet  that  which  ye  have  not  received. 

42  TJAnd  now,  for  the  sake  of  these  things  which  I  have 


CHAP.  3.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  223 

spoken  unto  you;  that  is,  for  the  sake  of  retaining  a  remis- 
sion of  your  sins  from  day  to  day,  that  ye  may  walk  guiltless 
before  God, 

43  I  would  that  ye  should  impart  of  your  substance  to  the 
poor,  every  man  according  to  that  which  he  hath,  such  as 
feeding  the  hungry,  clothing  the  naked,  visiting  the  sick,  and 
administering  to  their  relief,  both  spiritually  and  temporally, 
according  to  their  wants, 

44  And  see  that  all  these  things  are  done  in  wisdom  and 
order:  for  it  is  not  requisite  that  a  man  should  run  faster 
than  he  has  strength. 

45  And  again:  it  is  expedient  that  he  should  be  diligent, 
that  thereby  he  might  win  the  prize:  therefore,  all  things 
must  be  done  in  order. 

46  And  I  would  that  ye  should  remember,  that  whosoever 
among  you  that  borroweth  of  his  neighbor,  should  return  the 
•thing  that  he  borroweth,  according  as  he  doth  agree, 

47  Or  else  thou  shalt  commit  sin,  and  perhaps  thou  shalt 
cause  thy  neighbor  to  commit  sin  also. 

48  And  finally,  I  can  not  tell  you  all  the  things  whereby  ye 
may  commit  sin:  for  there  are  divers  ways  and  means,  even 
so  many,  that  I  can  not  number  them.      ' 

49  But  this  much  I  can  tell  you,  that  if  ye  do  not  watch 
yourselves,  and  your  thoughts,  and  your  words,  and  your 
deeds,  and  observe  to  keep  the  commandments  of  God,  and 
continue  in  the  faith  of  what  ye  have  heard  concerning  the 
coming  of  our  Lord,  even  unto  the  end  of  your  lives,  ye  must 
perish. 

50  And  now,  O  man,  remember,  and  perish  not. 


CHAPTER  3. 

1  IJAnd  now,  it  came  to  pass  that  when  King  Benjamin  had 
thus  spoken  to  his  people,  he  sent  among  them,  desiring  to 
know  of  his  people,  if  they  believed  the  words  which  he  had 
spoken  unto  them. 

2  And  they  all  cried  with  one  voice,  saying.  Yea,  we  be- 
lieve all  the  words  which  thou  hast  spoken  unto  us; 


224  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [CHAP.  3. 

3  And  also,  we  know  of  their  surety  and  truth,  because  of 
the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  Omnipotent,  which  has  wrought  a 
mighty  change  in  us,  or  in  our  hearts,  that  we  have  no  more 
disposition  to  do  evil,  but  to  do  good  continually. 

4  And  we,  ourselves,  also,  through  the  infinite  goodness  of 
God,  and  the  manifestations  of  his  Spirit,  have  great  views 
of  that  which  is  to  come;  and  were  it  expedient,  we  could 
prophesy  of  all  things. 

5  And  it  is  the  faith  which  we  have  had  on  the  things 
which  our  king  has  spoken  unto  us,  and  has  brought  us  to  this 
great  knowledge,  whereby  we  do  rejoice  with  such  exceeding 
great  joy; 

6  And  we  are  willing  to  enter  into  a  covenant  with  our 
God,  to  do  his  will,  and  to  be  obedient  to  his  commandments 
in  all  things  that  he  shall  command  us,  all  the  remainder  of 
our  days,  that  we  may  not  bring  upon  ourselves  a  never  end- 
ing torment,  as  has  been  spoken  by  the  angel,  that  we  may 
not  drink  out  of  the  cup  of  the  wrath  of  God. 

7  ^And  now,  these  are  the  words  which  King  Benjamin  de- 
sired of  them;  and  therefore  he  said  unto  them,  Ye  have 
spoken  the  words  that  I  desired;  and  the  covenant  which  ye 
have  made,  is  a  righteous  covenant. 

8  And  now,  because  of  the  covenant  which  ye  have  made, 
ye  shall  be  called  the  children  of  Christ,  his  sons,  and  his 
daughters : 

9  For  behold,  this  day  he  hath  spiritually  begotten  you; 
for  ye  say  that  your  hearts  are  changed  through  faith  on  his 
name;  therefore,  ye  are  born  of  him,  and  have  become  his 
sons  and  his  daughters. 

10  And  under  this  head  ye  are  made  free;  and  there  is  no 
other  head  whereby  ye  can  be  made  free. 

11  There  is  no  other  name  given,  whereby  salvation  com- 
eth ;  therefore,  I  would  that  ye  should  take  upon  you  the  name 
of  Christ,  all  you  that  have  entered  into  the  covenant  with 
God,  that  ye  should  be  obedient  unto  the  end  of  your  lives. 

12  And  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  whosoever  doeth  this, 
shall  be  found  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  for  he  shall  know  the 


CHAP.  3.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  225 

name  by  which  he  is  called;  for  he  shall  be  called  by  the  name 
of  Christ. 

13  ^And  now,  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  whosoever  shall 
not  take  upon  them  the  name  of  Christ,  must  be  called  by 
some  other  name;  therefore,  he  findeth  himself  on  the  left 
hand  of  God. 

14  And  I  would  that  ye  should  remember  also,  that  this  is 
the  name  that  I  said  I  should  give  unto  you,  that  never  should 
De  blotted  out,  except  it  be  through  transgression; 

15  Therefore,  take  heed  that  ye  do  not  transgress,  that  the 
name  be  not  blotted  out  of  your  hearts. 

16  I  say  unto  you,  I  would  that  ye  should  remember  to 
retain  the  name  written  always  in  your  hearts,  that  ye  are 
not  found  on  the  left  hand  of  God,  but  that  ye  hear  and  know 
the  voice  by  which  ye  shall  be  called,  and  also,  the  name  by 
which  he  shall  call  you: 

17  For,  how  knoweth  a  man  the  master  whom  he  has  not 
served,  and  who  is  a  stranger  unto  him,  and  is  far  from  the 
thoughts  and  intents  of  his  heart? 

18  And  again:  Doth  a  man  take  an  ass  which  belongeth  to 
his  neighbor,  and  keep  him? 

19  I  say  unto  you,  Nay;  he  will  not  even  suffer  that  he 
shall  feed  among  his  flocks,  but  will  drive  him  away,  and  cast 
him  out. 

20  I  say  unto  you,  that  even  so  shall  it  be  among  you,  if 
ye  know  not  the  name  by  which  ye  are  called. 

21  Therefore,  I  would  that  ye  should  be  steadfast  and  im- 
movable, always  abounding  in  good  works,  that  Christ,  the 
Lord  God  Omnipotent,  may  seal  you  his,  that  you  may  be 
brought  to  heaven,  that  ye  may  have  everlasting  salvation 
and  eternal  life,  through  the  wisdom,  and  power,  and  justice, 
and  mercy  of  him,  who  created  all  things,  in  heaven  and  in 
earth,  who  is  God  above  all.     Amen. 


226  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  4. 

CHAPTER  4. 

1  IJAnd  now,  King  Benjamin  thought  it  was  expedient, 
after  having  finished  speaking  to  the  people,  that  he  should 
take  the  names  of  all  those  who  had  entered  into  a  covenant 
with  God,  to  keep  his  commandments. 

2  And  it  came  to  pass  that  there  was  not  one  soul,  except 
it  were  little  children,  but  what  had  entered  into  the  covenant, 
and  had  taken  upon  them  the  name  of  Christ. 

3  And  again:  It  came  to  pass  that  when  King  Benjamin 
had  made  an  end  of  all  these  things,  and  had  consecrated  his 
son  Mosiah,  to  be  a  ruler  and  a  king  over  his  people,  and  had 
given  him  all  the  charges  concerning  the  kingdom, 

4  And  also  had  appointed  priests  to  teach  the  people,  that 
thereby  they  might  hear  and  know  the  commandments  of  God, 
and  to  stir  them  up  in  remembrance  of  the  oath  which  they 
had  made,  he  dismissed  the  multitude,  and  they  returned, 
every  one  according  to  their  families,  to  their  own  houses. 

5  IJAnd  Mosiah  began  to  reign  in  his  father's  stead. 

6  And  he  began  to  reign  in  the  thirtieth  year  of  his  age, 
making  in  the  whole,  about  four  hundred  and  seventy-six 
years  from  the  time  that  Lehi  left  Jerusalem. 

7  And  King  Benjamin  lived  three  years  and  he  died. 

8  And  it  came  to  pass  that  King  Mosiah  did  walk  in  the 
ways  of  the  Lord,  and  did  observe  his  judgments,  and  his 
statutes,  and  did  keep  his  commandments  in  all  things  what- 
soever he  commanded  him. 

9  ^And  King  Mosiah  did  cause  his  people  that  they  should 
till  the  earth. 

10  And  he  also,  himself  did  till  the  earth,  that  thereby  he 
might  not  become  burthensome  to  his  people,  that  he  might 
do  according  to  that  which  his  father  had  done,  in  all  things. 

11  And  there  was  no  contention  among  all  his  people,  for 
the  space  of  three  years. 


CHAP.   5.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  227 

CHAPTER  5. 

1  TJAnd  now,  it  came  to  pass  that  after  King  Mosiah  had 
had  continual  peace,  for  the  space  of  three  years,  he  was  de- 
sirous to  know  concerning  the  people  who  went  up  to  dwell 
in  the  land  of  Lehi-Nephi,  or  in  the  city  of  Lehi-Nephi : 

2  For  his  people  had  heard  nothing  from  them,  from  the 
time  they  left  the  land  of  Zarahemla;  therefore,  they  wearied 
him  with  their  teasings. 

3  TIAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  King  Mosiah  granted  that  six- 
teen of  their  strong  men  might  go  up  to  the  land  of  Lehi- 
Nephi,  to  inquire  concerning  their  brethren. 

4  And  it  came  to  pass  that  on  the  morrow,  they  started  to 
go  up,  having  with  them  one  Ammon,  he  being  a  strong  and 
mighty  man,  and  a  descendant  of  Zarahemla;  and  he  was 
also  their  leader. 

5  And  now,  they  knew  not  the  course  they  should  travel  in 
the  wilderness,  to  go  up  to  the  land  of  Lehi-Nephi;  there- 
fore, they  wandered  many  days  in  the  wilderness,  even  forty 
days  did  they  wander. 

6  And  when  they  had  wandered  forty  days,  they  came  to  a 
hill,  which  is  north  of  the  land  of  Shilom,  and  there  they 
pitched  their  tents. 

7  And  Ammon  took  three  of  his  brethren,  and  their  names 
were  Amaleki,  Helem,  and  Hem,  and  they  went  down  into  the 
land  of  Nephi; 

8  And  behold,  they  met  the  king  of  the  people,  who  was  in 
the  land  of  Nephi,  and  in  the  land  of  Shilom; 

9  And  they  were  surrounded  by  the  king's  guard,  and  were 
taken,  and  were  bound,  and  were  committed  to  prison. 

10  And  it  came  to  pass  when  they  had  been  in  prison  two 
days,  they  were  again  brought  before  the  king,  and  their 
bands  were  loosed; 

11  And  they  stood  before  the  king,  and  were  permitted,  or 
rather  commanded  that  they  should  answer  the  questions 
which  he  should  ask  them. 

12  And  he  said  unto  them,  Behold  I  am  Limhi,  the  son  of 
Noah,  who  was  the  son  of  Zeniff,  who  came  up  out  of  the 


228  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.   5. 

land  of  Zarahemla  to  inherit  this  land,  which  was  the  land  of 
their  fathers,  who  was  made  a  king  by  the  voice  of  the  people. 

13  And  now,  I  desire  to  know  the  cause  whereby  ye  were  so 
bold  as  to  come  near  the  walls  of  the  city,  when  I,  myself, 
was  with  my  guards,  without  the  gate? 

14  And  now,  for  this  cause  have  I  suffered  that  ye  should 
be  preserved,  that  I  might  inquire  of  you,  or  else  I  should 
have  caused  that  my  guards  should  have  put  you  to  death. 
Ye  are  permitted  to  speak. 

15  1[And  now,  when  Ammon  saw  that  he  was  permitted  to 
speak,  he  went  forth  and  bowed  himself  before  the  king;  and 
rising  again  he  said,  O  king,  I  am  very  thankful  before  God 
this  day,  that  I  am  yet  alive,  and  am  permitted  to  speak; 

16  And  I  will  endeavor  to  speak  with  boldness;  for  I  am 
assured  that  if  ye. had  known  me,  ye  would  not  have  suffered 
that  I  should  have  wore  these  bands. 

17  For  I  am  Ammon,  and  am  a  descendant  of  Zarahemla, 
and  have  come  up  out  of  the  land  of  Zarahemla,  to  inquire 
concerning  our  brethren,  whom  Zeniff  brought  up  out  of  that 
land. 

18  ^And  now,  it  came  to  pass  that  after  Limhi  had  heard 
the  words  of  Ammon,  he  was  exceeding  glad,  and  said.  Now, 
I  know  of  a  surety  that  my  brethren  who  were  in  the  land  of 
Zarahemla,  are  yet  alive. 

19  And  now,  I  will  rejoice;  and  on  the  morrow,  I  will  cause 
that  my  people  shall  rejoice  also. 

20  For  behold,  we  are  in  bondage  to  the  Lamanites,  and 
are  taxed  with  a  tax  which  is  grievous  to  be  borne. 

21  And  now,  behold,  our  brethren  will  deliver  us  out  of  our 
bondage,  or  out  of  the  hands  of  the  Lamanites,  and  we  will 
be  their  slaves: 

22  For  it  is  better  that  we  be  slaves  to  the  Nephites,  than 
to  pay  tribute  to  the  king  of  the  Lamanites. 

23  ^And  now,  King  Limhi  commanded  his  guards  that  they 
should  no  more  bind  Ammon,  nor  his  brethren,  but  caused  that 
they  should  go  to  the  hill  which  was  north  of  Shilom,  and 
bring  their  brethren  into  the  city,  that  thereby  they  might 


CHAP.   5.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  229 

eat,  and  drink,  and  rest  themselves  from  the  labors  of  their 
journey; 

24  For  they  had  suffered  many  things;  they  had  suffered 
hunger,  thirst,  and  fatigue. 

25  ^And  now,  it  came  to  pass  on  the  morrow,  that  King 
Limhi  sent  a  proclamation  among  all  his  people,  that  thereby 
they  might  gather  themselves  together  to  the  temple,  to  hear 
the  words  which  he  should  speak  unto  them. 

26  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  they  had  gathered  them- 
selves together,  that  he  spake  unto  them  in  this  wise,  saying, 

27  O  ye  my  people,  lift  up  your  heads  and  be  comforted: 
for  behold,  the  time  is  at  hand,  or  is  not  far  distant,  when  we 
shall  no  longer  be  in  subjection  to  our  enemies,  notwithstand- 
ing our  many  strugglings,  which  have  been  in  vain;  yet  I 
trust  there  remaineth  an  effectual  struggle  to  be  made. 

28  Therefore,  lift  up  your  heads,  and  rejoice,  and  put  your 
trust  in  God,  in  that  God  who  was  the  God  of  Abraham,  and 
Isaac,  and  Jacob; 

29  And  also,  that  God  who  brought  the  children  of  Israel 
out  of  the  Jand  of  Egypt,  and  caused  that  they  should  walk 
through  the  Red  Sea  on  dry  ground,  and  fed  them  with 
manna,  that  they  might  not  perish  in  the  wilderness;  and 
many  more  things  did  he  do  for  them. 

30  And  again:  that  same  God  has  brought  our  fathers  out 
of  the  land  of  Jerusalem,  and  has  kept  and  preserved  his 
people,  even  until  now. 

31  And  behold,  it  is  because  of  our  iniquities  and  abomina- 
tions, that  has  brought  us  into  bondage. 

32  And  ye  all  are  witnesses  this  day,  that  Zeniff,  who  was 
made  king  over  this  people,  he  being  over-zealous  to  inherit 
the  land  of  his  fathers, 

33  Therefore  being  deceived  by  the  cunning  and  craftiness 
of  King  Laman,  who  having  entered  into  a  treaty  with  King 
Zeniff,  and  having  yielded  up  into  his  hands  the  possessions 
of  a  part  of  the  land,  or  even  the  city  of  Lehi-Nephi,  and 
the  city  of  Shilom;  and  the  land  round  about; 

34  And  all  this  he  did,  for  the  sole  purpose  of  bringing  this 
people  into  subjection,  or  into  bondage. 


230  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.   5. 

35  And  behold,  we  at  this  time  do  pay  tribute  to  the  king 
01  the  Lamanites,  to  the  amount  of  one  half  of  our  corn,  and 
our  barley,  and  even  all  our  grain  of  every  kind,  and  one  half 
of  the  increase  of  our  flocks,  and  our  herds; 

36  And  even  one  half  of  all  we  have  or  possess,  the  king 
of  the  Lamanites  doth  exact  of  us,  or  our  lives. 

37  And  now,  is  not  this  grievous  to  be  borne? 

38  And  is  not  this,  our  affliction  great? 

39  Now  behold,  how  great  reason  have  we  to  mourn. 

40  Yea,  I  say  unto  you,  great  are  the  reasons  which  we 
have  to  mourn:  for  behold,  how  many  of  our  brethren  have 
been  slain,  and  their  blood  has  been  spilt  in  vain,  and  all 
because  of  iniquity. 

41  For  if  this  people  had  not  fallen  into  transgression,  the 
Lord  would  not  have  suffered  that  this  great  evil  should  come 
upon   them. 

42  But  behold,  they  would  not  hearken  unto  his  words; 
but  there  arose  contentions  among  them,  even  so  much  that 
they  did  shed  blood  among  themselves. 

43  And  a  prophet  of  the  Lord  have  they  sl^in;  yea,  a 
chosen  man  of  God,  who  told  them  of  their  wickedness  and 
abominations,  and  prophesied  of  many  things  which  are  to 
come,  yea,  even  the  coming  of  Christ. 

44  And  because  he  said  unto  them,  that  Christ  was  the  God, 
the  Father  of  all  things,  and  said  that  he  should  take  upon 
him  the  image  of  man,  and  it  should  be  the  image  after 
which  man  was  created  in  the  beginning; 

45  Or  in  other  words,  he  said  that  man  was  created  after 
the  image  of  God,  and  that  God  should  come  down  among  the 
children  of  men,  and  take  upon  him  flesh  and  blood,  and  go 
forth  upon  the  face  of  the  earth ; 

46  And  now  because  he  said  this,  they  did  put  him  to 
death;  and  many  more  things  did  they  do,  which  brought 
down  the  wrath  of  God  upon  them. 

47  Therefore,  who  wondereth  that  they  are  in  bondage,  and 
that  they  are  smitten  with  sore  afflictions? 

48  For  behold,  the  Lord  has  said,  I  will  not  succor  my  peo- 
ple in  the  day  of  their  transgression;  but  I  will  hedge  up 


CHAP.   5.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  231 

their  ways,  that  they  prosper  not;  and  their  doings  shall  be 
as  a  stumbling  block  before  them. 

49  And  again,  he  saith,  If  my  people  shall  sow  filthiness, 
they  shall  reap  the  chaff  thereof,  in  the  whirlwind;  and  the 
effects  thereof,  is  poison. 

50  And  again,  he  saith.  If  my  people  shall  sow  filthiness, 
they  shall  reap  the  east  wind,  which  bringeth  immediate  de- 
struction. 

51  And  now,  behold,  the  promise  of  the  Lord  is  fulfilled; 
and  ye  are  smitten,  and  afflicted. 

52  But  if  ye  will  turn  to  the  Lord  with  full  purpose  of 
heart,  and  put  your  trust  in  him,  and  serve  him  with  all 
diligence  of  mind;  if  ye  do  this,  he  will,  according  to  his  own 
will  and  pleasure,  deliver  you  out  of  bondage. 

53  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  after  King  Limhi  had  made 
an  end  of  speaking  to  his  people,  for  he  spake  many  things 
unto  them,  and  only  a  few  of  them  have  I  written  in  this 
book,  he  told  his  people  all  the  things  concerning  their  breth- 
ren who  were  in  the  land  of  Zarahemla ; 

54  And  he  caused  that  Ammon  should  stand  up  before  the 
multitude,  and  rehearse  unto  them  all  that  had  happened 
unto  their  brethren,  from  the  time  that  Zeniff  went  up  out  of 
the  land,  even  until  the  time  that  he  himself  came  up  out  of 
the  land. 

55  And  he  also  rehearsed  unto  them  the  last  words  which 
King  Benjamin  had  taught  them,  and  explained  them  to  the 
people  of  King  Limhi,  so  that  they  might  understand  all  the 
words  which  he  spake. 

56  And  it  came  to  pass  that  after  he  had  done  all  this, 
that  King  Limhi  dismissed  the  multitude,  and  caused  that 
they  should  return,  every  one  unto  his  own  house. 

57  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  caused  that  the  plates 
which  contained  the  record  of  his  people,  from  the  time  that 
they  left  the  land  of  Zarahemla,  should  be  brought  before 
Ammon,  that  he  might  read  them. 

58  Now,  as  soon  as  Ammon  had  read  the  record,  the  king 
inquired  of  him  to  know  if  he  could  interpret  languages. 

59  And  Ammon  told  him  that  he  could  not. 


232  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.   5. 

60  And  the  king  said  unto  him,  Being  grieved  for  the  afflic- 
tions of  my  people,  I  caused  that  forty  and  three  of  my  peo- 
ple should  take  a  journey  into  the  wilderness,  that  thereby 
they  might  find  the  land  of  Zarahemla ;  that  we  might  appeal 
unto  our  brethren  to  deliver  us  out  of  bondage; 

61  And  they  were  lost  in  the  wilderness,  for  the  space  of 
many  days,  yet  they  were  diligent,  and  found  not  the  land  of 
Zarahemla,  but  returned  to  this  land,  having  traveled  in  a 
land  among  many  waters; 

62  Having  discovered  a  land  which  was  covered  with  bones 
01  men,  and  of  beasts,  etc.,  and  was  also  covered  with  ruins 
of  buildings  of  every  kind: 

63  Having  discovered  a  land  which  had  been  peopled  with 
a  people  who  were  as  numerous  as  the  hosts  of  Israel. 

64  And  for  a  testimony  that  the  things  that  they  have  said 
are  true,  they  have  brought  twenty-four  plates,  which  are 
filled  with  engravings;  and  they  are  of  pure  gold. 

65  And  behold,  also,  they  have  brought  breast-plates,  which 
are  large;  and  they  are  of  brass,  and  of  copper,  and  are  per- 
fectly sound. 

66  And  again,  they  have  brought  swords,  the  hilts  thereof 
have  perished,  and  the  blades  thereof  were  cankered  with 
rust; 

67  And  there  is  no  one  in  the  land  that  is  able  to  interpret 
the  language  or  the  engravings  that  are  on  the  plates. 

68  Therefore,  I  said  unto  thee,  Canst  thou  translate? 

69  And  I  say  unto  thee  again,  Knowest  thou  of  any  one 
that  can  translate?  for  I  am  desirous  that  these  records 
should  be  translated  into  our  language. 

70  For,  perhaps  they  will  give  us  a  knowledge  of  a  rem- 
nant of  the  people  who  have  been  destroyed,  from  whence 
these  records  came; 

71  Or,  perhaps  they  will  give  us  a  knowledge  of  this  very 
people  who  have  been  destroyed;  and  I  am  desirous  to  know 
the  cause  of  their  destruction. 

72  ^Now  Ammon  said. unto  him,  I  can  assuredly  tell  thee, 
0  king,  of  a  man  that  can  translate  the  records:  for  he  has 


CHAP.   5.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  233 

wherewith  that  he  can  look,  and  translate  all  records  that 
are  of  ancient  date:  and  it  is  a  gift  from  God. 

73  And  the  things  are  called  interpreters;  and  no  man  can 
look  in  them,  except  he  be  commanded,  lest  he  should  look  for 
that  he  ought  not,  and  he  should  perish. 

74  And  whosoever  is  commanded  to  look  in  them,  the  same 
is  called  seer. 

75  And  behold,  the  king  of  the  people  who  is  in  the  land 
of  Zarahemla,  is  the  man  that  is  commanded  to  do  these 
things,  and  who  has  this  high  gift   from   God. 

76  And  the  king  said,  that  a  seer  is  greater  than  a  prophet. 

77  And  Ammon  said,  that  a  seer  is  a  revelator,  and  a 
prophet  also;  and  a  gift  which  is  greater,  can  no  man  have, 
except  he  should  possess  the  power  of  God,  which  no  man  can; 
yet  a  man  may  have  great  power  given  him  from  God, 

78  But  a  seer  can  know  of  things  which  have  past,  and 
also  of  things  which  are  to  come; 

79  And  by  them  shall  all  things  be  revealed,  or  rather, 
shall  secret  things  be  made  manifest,  and  hidden  things  shall 
come  to  light,  and  things  which  are  not  known,  shall  be  made 
known  by  them; 

80  And  also,  things  shall  be  made  known  by  them,  which 
otherwise  could  not  be  known. 

81  Thus  God  has  provided  a  means  that  man,  through 
faith,  might  work  mighty  miracles;  therefore,  he  becometh  a 
great  benefit  to  his  fellow  beings. 

82  ^And  now,  when  Ammon  had  made  an  end  of  speaking 
these  words,  the  king  rejoiced  exceedingly,  and  gave  thanks 
to  God,  saying, 

83  Doubtless,  a  great  mystery  is  contained  within  these 
plates;  and  these  interpreters  were  doubtless  prepared  for 
the  purpose  of  unfolding  all  such  mysteries  to  the  children  of 
men. 

84  O  how  marvelous  are  the  works  of  the  Lord,  and  how 
long  doth  he  suffer  with  his  people; 

85  Yea,   and  how  blind   and  impenetrable  are  the   under- 


234  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap,  t 

standings  of  the  children  of  men :  for  they  will  not  seek  wis- 
dom, neither  do  they  desire  that  she  should  rule  over  them. 

86  Yea,  they  are  as  a  wild  flock,  which  fleeth  from  the 
shepherd,  and  scattereth,  and  are  driven,  and  are  devoured 
by  the  beasts  of  the  forest. 


CHAPTER  6. 

The  Record  of  Zeniff. — An  account  of  his  people,  from  the 
time  they  left  the  land  of  Zarahemla,  until  the  time  that 
they  were  delivered  out  of  the  hands  of  the  Lamanites. 

1  IJI,  Zeniff,  having  been  taught  in  all  the  language  of  the 
Nephites,  and  having  had  a  knowledge  of  the  land  of  Nephi, 
or  of  the  land  of  our  fathers'  first  inheritance,  and  having 
been  sent  as  a  spy  among  the  Lamanites,  that  I  might  spy 
out  their  forces,  that  our  army  might  come  upon  them  and 
destroy  them; 

2  But  when  I  saw  that  which  was  good  among  them,  I  was 
desirous  that  they  should  not  be  destroyed;  therefore,  I  con- 
tended with  my  brethren  in  the  wilderness:  for  I  would  that 
our  ruler  should  make  a  treaty  with  them. 

3  But  he  being  an  austere  and  a  bloodthirsty  man,  com- 
manded that  I  should  be  slain;  but  I  was  rescued  by  the  shed- 
ding of  much  blood: 

4  For  father  fought  against  father,  and  brother  against 
brother,  until  the  greatest  number  of  our  army  was  destroyed 
in  the  wilderness; 

5  And  we  returned,  those  of  us  that  were  spared,  to  the 
land  of  Zarahemla,  to  relate  that  tale  to  their  wives,  and  their 
children. 

6  And  yet,  I  being  over  zealous  to  inherit  the  land  of  our 
fathers,  collected  as  many  as  were  desirous  to  go  up  to  pos- 
sess the  land,  and  started  again  on  our  journey  into  the  wil- 
derness, to  go  up  to  the  land;  but  we  were  smitten  with  fam- 
ine and  sore  afflictions;  for  we  were  slow  to  remember  the 
Lord  our  God. 

7  Nevertheless,  after  many  days'  wandering  in  the  wilder- 


CHAP.  6.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  235 

ness,  we  pitched  our  tents  in  the  place  where  our  brethren 
were  slain,  which  was  near  to  the  land  of  our  fathers. 

8  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  I  went  again  with  four  of  my 
men,  into  the  city,  in  unto  the  king,  that  I  might  know  of  the 
disposition  of  the  king;  and  that  I  might  know  if  I  might  go 
in  with  my  people,  and  possess  the  land  in  peace. 

9  And  I  went  in  unto  the  king,  and  he  covenanted  with  me, 
that  I  might  possess  the  land  of  Lehi-Nephi,  and  the  land  of 
Shilom. 

10  And  he  also  commanded  that  his  people  should  depart 
out  of  that  land,  and  I  and  my  people  went  into  the  land, 
that  we  might  possess  it. 

11  And  we  began  to  build  buildings,  and  to  repair  the  walls 
of  the  city,  yea,  even  the  walls  of  the  city  of  Lehi-Nephi,  and 
the  city  of  Shilom. 

12  And  we  began  to  till  the  ground,  yea,  even  with  all  man- 
ner of  seeds,  with  seeds  of  corn,  and  of  wheat,  and  of  barley, 
and  with  neas,  and  with  sheum,  and  with  seeds  of  all  manner 
of  fruits;  and  we  did  begin  to  multiply  and  prosper  in  the 
land. 

13  Now,  it  was  the  cunning  and  the  craftiness  of  King 
Laman,  to  bring  my  people  into  bondage,  that  he  yielded  up 
the  land,  that  we  might  possess  it. 

14  ^Therefore,  it  came  to  pass  that  after  we  had  dwelt  in 
the  land  for  the  space  of  twelve  years,  that  King  Laman  be- 
gan to  grow  uneasy,  lest  by  any  means  my  people  should  wax 
strong  in  the  land,  and  that  they  could  not  overpower  them 
and  bring  them  into  bondage. 

15  Now,  they  were  a  lazy,  and  an  idolatrous  people;  there- 
fore, they  were  desirous  to  bring  us  into  bondage,  that  they 
might  glut  themselves  with  the  labors  of  our  hands;  yea,  that 
they  might  feast  themselves  upon  the  flocks  of  our  fields. 

16  IJTherefore,  it  came  to  pass  that  King  Laman  began  to 
stir  up  his  people,  that  they  should  contend  with  my  people; 
therefore,  there  began  to  be  wars  and  contentions  in  the  land. 

17  For,  in  the  thirteenth  year  of  my  reign  in  the  land  of 
Nephi,  away  on  the  south  of  the  land  of  Shilom,  when  my 
people   were  watering   and   feeding  their   flocks,   and   tilling 


236  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  6. 

their  lands,  a  numerous  host  of  Lamanites  came  upon  them, 
and  began  to  slay  them,  and  to  take  of  their  flocks,  and  the 
corn  of  their  fields. 

18  Yea,  and  it  came  to  pass  that  they  fled,  all  that  were 
not  overtaken,  even  into  the  city  of  Nephi,  and  did  call  upon 
me  for  protection. 

19  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  did  arm  them  with  bows, 
and  with  arrows,  with  swords,  and  with  cimeters,  and  with 
clubs,  and  with  slings,  and  with  all  manner  of  weapons  which 
we  could  invent,  and  I  and  my  people  did  go  forth  against 
the  Lamanites,  to  battle; 

20  Yea,  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord  did  we  go  forth  to 
battle  against  the  Lamanites; 

21  For  I  and  my  people  did  cry  mightily  to  the  Lord,  that 
he  would  deliver  us  out  of  the  hands  of  our  enemies,  for  we 
were  awakened  to  a  remembrance  of  the  deliverance  of  our 
fathers. 

22  And  God  did  hear  our  cries,  and  did  answer  our  pray- 
ers; and  we  did  go  forth  in  his  might. 

23  Yea,  we  did  go  forth  against  the  Lamanites;  and  in  one 
day  and  a  night  we  did  slay  three  thousand  and  forty-three; 
we  did  slay  them,  even  until  we  had  driven  them  out  of  our 
land. 

24  And  I,  myself,  with  mine  own  hands,  did  help  bury  their 
dead. 

25  And  behold,  to  our  great  sorrow  and  lamentation,  two 
hundred  and  seventy-nine  of  our  brethren  were  slain. 

26  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  again  began  to  establish 
the  kingdom;  and  we  again  began  to  possess  the  land  in  peace. 

27  And  I  caused  that  there  should  be  weapons  of  war 
made,  of  every  kind,  that  thereby  I  might  have  weapons  for 
my  people,  against  the  time  the  Lamanites  should  come  up 
again  to  war  against  my  people. 

28  And  I  set  guards  round  about  the  land  that  the  Laman- 
ites might  not  come  upon  us  again  unawares,  and  destroy  us; 

29  And  thus  I  did  guard  my  people,  and  my  flocks,  and 
keep  them  from  falling  into  the  hands  of  our  enemies. 

30  lIAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  inherit  the  land  of  our 


CHAP.  6.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  237 

fathers,  for  many  years;  yea,  for  the  space  of  twenty  and  two 
years. 

31  And  I  did  cause  that  the  men  should  till  the  ground, 
and  raise  all  manner  of  grain,  and  all  manner  of  fruit,  of 
every  kind. 

32  And  I  did  cause  that  the  women  should  spin,  and  toil, 
and  work;  and  work  all  manner  of  fine  linen;  yea,  and  cloth 
of  every  kind,  that  we  might  clothe  our  nakedness; 

33  And  thus  we  did  prosper  in  the  land;  thus  we  did  have 
continual  peace  in  the  land,  for  the  space  of  twenty  and  two 
years. 

34  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  King  Laman  died,  and  his 
son  began  to  reign  in  his  stead. 

35  And  he  began  to  stir  his  people  up  in  rebellion  against 
my  people;  therefore,  they  began  to  prepare  for  war,  and  to 
come  up  to  battle  against  my  people. 

36  But  I  had  sent  my  spies  out  round  about  the  land  of 
Shemlon,  that  I  might  discover  their  preparations,  that  I 
might  guard  against  them,  that  they  might  not  come  upon 
my  people  and  destroy  them. 

37  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  came  up  upon  the  north 
of  the  land  of  Shilom,  with  their  numerous  hosts,  men  armed 
with  bows,  and  with  arrows,  and  with  swords,  and  with 
cimeters,  and  with  stones,  and  with  slings; 

38  And  they  had  their  heads  shaved,  that  they  were  naked; 
and  they  were  girded  with  a  leathern  girdle  about  their  loins. 

39  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  caused  that  the  women  and 
children  of  my  people  should  be  hid  in  the  wilderness; 

40  And  I  also  caused  that  all  my  old  men  that  could  bear 
arms,  and  also  all  my  young  men  that  were  able  to  bear  arms, 
should  gather  themselves  together,  to  go  to  battle  against  the 
Lamanites;  and  I  did  place  them  in  their  ranks,  every  man 
according  to  his  age. 

41  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  go  up  to  battle  against 
the  Lamanites. 

42  And  I,  even  I,  in  my  old  age,  did  go  up  to  battle  against 
the  Lamanites. 


238  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  6. 

43  And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  go  up  in  the  strength 
of  the  Lord,  to  battle. 

44  ^Now,  the  Lamanites  knew  nothing  concerning  the  Lord, 
nor  the  strength  of  the  Lord;  therefore  they  depended  upon 
their  own  strength. 

45  Yet  tney  were  a  strong  people,  as  to  the  strength  of 
men;  they  were  a  wild,  and  ferocious,  and  a  bloodthirsty  peo- 
ple, believing  in  the  tradition  of  their  fathers,  which  is  this: 

46  Believing  that  they  were  driven  out  of  the  land  of  Je- 
rusalem, because  of  the  iniquities  of  their  fathers,  and  that 
they  were  wronged  in  the  wilderness  by  their  brethren;  and 
they  were  also  wronged,  while  crossing  the  sea. 

47  And  again:  that  they  were  wronged  while  in  the  land 
ol  their  first  inheritance,  after  they  had  crossed  the  sea; 

48  And  all  this,  because  that  Nephi  was  more  faithful  in 
keeping  the  commandments  of  the  Lord;  therefore  he  was 
favored  of  the  Lord,  for  the  Lord  heard  his  prayers  and 
answered  them,  and  he  took  the  lead  of  their  journey  in  the 
wilderness. 

49  And  his  brethren  were  wroth  with  him,  because  they 
understood  not  the  dealings  of  the  Lord; 

50  They  were  also  wroth  with  him  upon  the  waters,  be- 
cause they  hardened  their  hearts  against  the  Lord. 

51  And  again:  they  were  wroth  with  him  when  they  had 
arrived  to  the  promised  land,  because  they  said  that  he  had 
taken  the  ruling  of  the  people  out  of  their  hands;  and  they 
sought  to  kill  him. 

52  And  again:  they  were  wroth  with  him,  because  he  de- 
parted into  the  wilderness  as  the  Lord  had  commanded  him, 
and  took  the  records  which  were  engraven  on  the  plates  of 
brass;  for  they  said  that  he  robbed  them. 

53  And  thus  they  have  taught  their  children,  that  they 
should  hate  them,  and  that  they  should  murder  them,  and 
that  they  should  rob  and  plunder  them,  and  do  all  they  could 
to  destroy  them;  therefore,  they  have  an  eternal  hatred  to- 
wards the  children  of  Nephi. 

54  For  this  very  cause  has  King  Laman,  by  his  cunning 
and  lying  craftiness,  and  his  fair  promises,  deceived  me,  that 


CHAi'.   7.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  239 

1  have  brought  this,  my  people,  up  into  this  land,  that  they 
may  destroy  them;  yea,  and  we  have  suffered  this  many 
years  in  the  land. 

55  ^And  now  I,  Zeniff,  after  having  told  all  these  things 
unto  my  people  concerning  the  Lamanites,  I  did  stimulate 
them  to  go  to  battle  with  their  might,  putting  their  trust  in 
the  Lord;  therefore,  we  did  contend  with  them,  face  to  face. 

56  And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  drive  them  again  out 
of  our  land;  and  we  slew  them  with  a  great  slaughter,  even 
so  many  that  we  did  not  number  them. 

57  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  we  returned  again  to  our  own 
land,  and  my  people  again  began  to  tend  their  flocks,  and  to 
till  their  ground. 

58  And  now,  I  being  old,  did  confer  the  kingdom  upon  one 
of  my  sons;  therefore,  I  say  no  more.  And  may  the  Lord 
bless  my  people.     Amen. 


CHAPTER  7. 

1  TJAnd  now  it  came  to  pass  that  Zeniff  conferred  the  king- 
dom upon  Noah,  one  of  his  sons;  therefore  Noah  began  to 
reign  in  his  stead;  and  he  did  not  walk  in  the  ways  of  his 
father. 

2  For  behold,  he  did  not  keep  the  commandments  of  God, 
but  he  did  walk  after  the  desires  of  his  ov/n  heart. 

3  And   he   had   many   wives   and    concubines. 

4  And  did  cause  his  people  to  commit  sin,  and  do  that 
which  was  abominable  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord. 

5  Yea,  and  they  did  commit  whoredoms,  and  all  manner  of 
wickedness. 

6  And  he  laid  a  tax  of  one  fifth  part  of  all  they  possessed; 
a  fifth  part  of  their  gold  and  of  their  silver,  and  a  fifth  part 
of  their  ziff,  and  of  their  copper,  and  of  their  brass  and  their 
iron;  and  a  fifth  part  of  their  fatlings;  and  also,  a  fifth  part 
of  all  their  grain. 

7  And  all  this  did  he  take,  to  support  himself,  and  his 
wives,  and  his   concubines,   and   also,   his   priests,   and  their 


240  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  7. 

wives,  and  their  concubines;  thus  he  had  changed  the  affairs 
of  the  kingdom. 

8  For  he  put  down  all  the  priests  that  had  been  consecrated 
by  his  father,  and  consecrated  new  ones  in  their  stead,,  such 
as  were  lifted  up  in  the  pride  of  their  hearts. 

9  Yea,  and  thus  they  were  supported  in  their  laziness,  and 
in  their  idolatry,  and  in  their  whoredoms,  by  the  taxes  which 
King  Noah  had  put  upon  his  people;  thus  did  the  people 
labor  exceedingly,  to  support  iniquity. 

10  Yea,  and  they  also  became  idolatrous,  because  they  were 
deceived  by  the  vain  and  flattering  words  of  the  king  and 
priests:  for  they  did  speak  flattering  things  unto  them. 

11  TIAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  King  Noah  built  many  ele- 
gant and  spacious  buildings;  and  he  ornamented  them  with 
fine  work  of  wood,  and  of  all  manner  of  precious  things,  of 
gold,  and  of  silver,  and  of  iron,  and  of  brass,  and  of  ziff,  and 
of  copper; 

12  And  he  also  built  him  a  spacious  palace,  and  a  throne 
in  the  midst  thereof,  all  of  which  was  of  fine  wood,  and  was 
ornamented  with  gold,  and  silver,  and  with  precious  things. 

13  And  he  also  caused  that  his  workmen  should  work  all 
manner  of  fine  work  within  the  walls  of  the  temple,  of  fine 
wood,  and  Of  copper,  and  of  brass; 

14  And  the  seats  which  were  set  apart  for  the  high  priests, 
which  were  above  all  the  other  seats,  he  did  ornament  with 
pure  gold; 

15  And  he  caused  a  breastwork  to  be  built  before  them, 
that  they  might  rest  their  bodies  and  their  arms  upon,  while 
they  should  speak  lying  and  vain  words  to  his  people. 

16  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  built  a  tower  near  the 
temple;  yea,  a  very  high  tower,  even  so  high  that  he  could 
stand  upon  the  top  thereof  and  overlook  the  land  of  Shilom, 
and  also  the  land  of  Shemlon,  which  was  possessed  by  the 
Lamanites;  and  he  could  even  look  over  all  the  land  round 
about. 

17  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  he  caused  many  buildings  to 
be  built  in  the  land  Shilom: 

18  And  he  caused  a  great  tower  to  be  built  on  the  hill  north 


CHAP.  7.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  241 

of  the  land  Shilom,  which  had  been  a  resort  for  the  children 
of  Nephi,  at  the  time  they  fled  out  of  the  land; 

19  And  thus  he  did  do  with  the  riches  which  he  obtained  by 
the  taxation  of  his  people. 

20  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  he  placed  his  heart  upon  his 
riches,  and  he  spent  his  time  in  riotous  living  with  his  wives 
and  his  concubines;  and  so  did  also  his  priests  spend  their 
time  with  harlots. 

21  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  planted  vineyards  round 
about  in  the  land;  and  he  built  wine  presses,  and  made  wine 
in  abundance;  and  therefore  he  became  a  vdne  bibber,  and 
also  his  people. 

22  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lamanites  began  to  come 
in  upon  his  people,  upon  small  numbers,  and  to  slay  them  in 
their  fields,  and  while  they  were  tending  their  flocks. 

23  And  King  Noah  sent  guards  round  about  the  land  to 
keep  them  off;  but  he  did  not  send  a  sufficient  number,  and 
the  Lamanites  came  upon  them  and  killed  them,  and  drove 
many  of  their  fl.ocks  out  of  the  land; 

24  Thus  the  Lamanites  began  to  destroy  them,  and  to  ex- 
ercise their  hatred  upon  them. 

25  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  King  Noah  sent  his  armies 
against  them,  and  they  were  driven  back,  or  they  drove  them 
back  for  a  time;  therefore,  they  returned  rejoicing  in  their 
spoil. 

26  And  now,  because  of  this  great  victory,  they  were  lifted 
up  in  the  pride  of  their  hearts;  they  did  boast  in  their  own 
strength,  saying,  that  their  fifty  could  stand  against  thou- 
sands of  the  Lamanites; 

27  And  thus  they  did  boast,  and  did  delight  in  blood,  and 
the  shedding  of  the  blood  of  their  brethren,  and  this  because 
of  the  wickedness  of  their  king  and  priests. 

28  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  there  was  a  man  among  them, 
whose  name  was  Abinadi;  and  he  went  forth  among  them, 
and  began  to  prophesy,  saying, 

29  Behold,  thus  saith  the  Lord,  and  thus  hath  he  com- 
manded me,  saying, 

30  Go  forth  and  say  unto  this  people.  Thus  saith  the  Lord : 


242  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  7. 

31  Wo  be  unto  this  people,  for  I  have  seen  their  abomina- 
tions, and  their  wickedness,  and  their  whoredoms:  and  except 
they  repent,  I  will  visit  them  in  mine  anger. 

32  And  except  they  repent,  and  turn  to  the  Lord  their  God, 
behold,  I  will  deliver  them  into  the  hands  of  their  enemies; 

33  Yea,  and  they  shall  be  brought  into  bondage;  and  they 
shall  be  afflicted  by  the  hand  of  their  enemies. 

34  And  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  they  shall  know  that  I 
am  the  Lord  their  God,  and  am  a  jealous  God,  visiting  the 
iniquities  of  my  people. 

35  And  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  except  this  people  re- 
pent, and  turn  unto  the  Lord  their  God,  they  shall  be  brought 
into  bondage;  and  none  shall  deliver  them,  except  it  be  the 
Lord,  the  Almighty  God. 

36  Yea,  and  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  when  they  shall  cry 
unto  me,  I  will  be  slow  to  hear  their  cries;  yea,  and  I  will 
suffer  them  that  they  be  smitten  by  their  enemies. 

37  And  except  they  repent  in  sackcloth  and  ashes,  and  cry 
mightily  to  the  Lord  their  God,  I  will  not  hear  their  prayers, 
neither  will  I  deliver  them  out  of  their  afflictions; 

38  And  thus  saith  the  Lord,  and  thus  hath  he  commanded 
me. 

39  1|Now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Abinadi  had  spoken 
these  words  unto  them,  they  were  wroth  with  him,  and  sought 
to  take  away  his  life;  but  the  Lord  delivered  him  out  of 
their  hands. 

40  Now  when  King  Noah  had  heard  of  the  words  which 
Abinadi  had  spoken  unto  the  people,  he  was  also  wroth; 

41  And  he  said.  Who  is  Abinadi,  that  I  and  my  people 
should  be  judged  of  him?  or  who  is  the  Lord,  that  shall 
bring  upon  my  people  such  great  affliction? 

42  I  command  you  to  bring  Abinadi  hither,  that  I  may 
slay  him;  for  he  has  said  these  things,  that  he  might  stir  up 
my  people  to  anger,  one  with  another,  and  to  raise  contentions 
among  my  people;    therefore  I  will  slay  him. 

43  Now  the  eyes  of  the  people  were  blinded;  therefore, 
they  hardened  their  hearts  against  the  words  of  Abinadi,  and 
they  sought  from  that  time  forward  to  take  him. 


CHAP.  7.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  243 

44  And  King  Noah  hardened  his  heart  against  the  word  of 
the  Lord;    and  he  did  not  repent  of  his  evil  doings. 

45  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  after  the  space  of  two  years, 
that  Abinadi  came  among  them  in  disguise,  that  they  knew 
him  not,  and  began  again  to  prophesy  among  them,  saying, 

46  Thus  hath  the  Lord  commanded  me,  saying,  Abinadi,  go 
and  prophesy  unto  this  my  people,  for  they  have  hardened 
their  hearts  against  my  words;  they  have  repented  not  of 
their  evil  doings; 

47  Therefore,  I  will  visit  them  in  my  anger,  yea,  in  my 
fierce  anger  will  I  visit  them  in  their  iniquities  and  abomina- 
tions;   yea,  wo  be  unto  this  generation. 

48  And  the  Lord  said  unto  me.  Stretch  forth  thy  hand,  and 
prophesy,  saying.  Thus  saith  the  Lord:  It  shall  come  to  pass 
that  this  generation,  because  of  their  iniquities,  shall  be 
brought  into  bondage,  and  shall  be  smitten  on  the  cheek; 

49  Yea,  and  shall  be  driven  by  men,  and  shall  be  slain; 
and  the  vultures  of  the  air,  and  the  dogs,  yea,  and  the  wild 
beasts,  shall  devour  their  flesh. 

50  ^And  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  the  life  of  King  Noah 
shall  be  valued  even  as  a  garment  in  a  hot  furnace;  for  he 
shall  know  that  I  am  the  Lord. 

51  And  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  I  will  smite  this  my  peo- 
ple with  sore  afflictions;  yea,  with  famine  and  with  pesti- 
lence; and  I  will  cause  that  they  shall  howl  all  the  day  long. 

52  Yea,  and  I  will  cause  that  they  shall  have  burdens 
lashed  upon  their  backs;  and  they  shall  be  driven  before,  like 
a  dumb  ass. 

53  IfAnd  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  I  will  send  forth  hail 
among  them,  and  it  shall  smite  them;  and  they  shall  also  be 
smitten  with  the  east  wind;  and  insects  shall  pester  their 
land  also,  and  devour  their  grain. 

54  And  they  shall  be  smitten  with  a  great  pestilence;  and 
all  this  will  I  do,  because  of  their  iniquities  and  abomina- 
tions. 

55  ^And  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  except  they  repent,  I 
will  utterly  destroy  them  from  off  the  face  of  the  earth; 

56  Yet  they  shall  leave  a  record  behind  them,  and  I  will 


244  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  7. 

preserve  them  for  other  nations  which  shall  possess  the  land; 

57  Yea,  even  this  will  I  do,  that  I  may  discover  the  abomi- 
nations of  this  people  to  other  nations. 

58  And  many  things  did  Abinadi  prophesy  against  this 
people. 

59  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  were  angry  with  him; 
and  they  took  him  and  carried  him  bound  before  the  king, 
and  said  unto  the  king, 

60  Behold,  we  have  brought  a  man  before  thee  who  has 
prophesied  evil  concerning  thy  people,  and  saith  that  God  will 
destroy  them; 

61  And  he  also  prophesieth  evil  concerning  thy  life,  and 
saith  that  thy  life  shall  be  as  a  garment  in  a  furnace  of  fire. 

62  And  again,  he  saith  that  thou  shalt  be  as  a  stalk,  even 
as  a  dry  stalk  of  the  field,  which  is  ran  over  by  the  beasts 
and  trodden  under  foot. 

63  And  again,  he  saith  thou  shalt  be  as  the  blossoms  of  a 
thistle,  which  when  it  is  fully  ripe,  if  the  wind  bloweth,  it  is 
driven  forth  upon  the  face  of  the  land;  and  he  pretendeth 
the  Lord  hath  spoken  it. 

64  And  he  saith  all  this  shall  come  upon  thee  except  thou 
repent;    and  this  because  of  thine  iniquities. 

65  And  now,  O  king,  what  great  evil  hast  thou  done,  or 
what  great  sins  have  thy  people  committed,  that  we  should 
be  condemned  of  God  or  judged  of  this  man? 

66  And  now,  O  king,  behold,  we  are  guiltless,  and  thou,  O 
king,  hast  not  sinned;  therefore,  this  man  has  lied  concern- 
ing you,  and  he  has  prophesied  in  vain. 

67  And  behold,  we  are  strong,  we  shall  not  come  into  bond- 
age, or  be  taken  captive  by  our  enemies;  yea,  and  thou  hast 
prospered  in  the  land,  and  thou  shalt  also  prosper. 

68  Behold,  here  is  the  man,  we  deliver  him  into  thy  hands; 
thou  mayest  do  with  him  as  seemeth  thee  good. 

69  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  King  Noah  caused  that 
Abinadi  should  be  cast  into  prison; 

70  And  he  commanded  that  the  priests  should  gather  them- 
selves together,  that  he  might  hold  a  council  with  them  what 
he  should  do  with  him. 


CHAP.  7.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  245 

71  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  said  unto  the  king,  Bring 
him  hither,  that  we  may  question  him. 

72  And  the  king  commanded  that  he  should  be  brought  be- 
fore them. 

73  And  they  began  to  question  him,  that  they  might  cross 
him,  that  thereby  they  might  have  wherewith  to  accuse  him; 

74  But  he  answered  them  boldly,  and  withstood  all  their 
questions,  yea,  to  their  astonishment: 

75  For  he  did  withstand  them  in  all  their  questions,  and 
did  confound  them  in  all  their  words. 

76  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  one  of  them  said  unto  him, 
Whp^  meaneth  the  words  which  are  written,  and  which  have 
been  taught  by  our  fathers,  saying: 

77  How  beautiful  upon  the  mountains  are  the  feet  of  him 
that  bringeth  good  tidings;  that  publisheth  peace;  that  bring- 
eth  good  tidings  of  good;  that  publisheth  salvation;  that  saith 
unto  Zion,  thy  God  reign eth; 

78  Thy  watchman  shall  lift  up  the  voice;  with  the  voice 
together  shall  they  sing,  for  they  shall  see  eye  to  eye,  when 
the  Lord  shall  bring  again  Zion. 

79  Break  forth  into  joy;  sing  together,  ye  waste  places  of 
Jerusalem:  for  the  Lord  hath  comforted  his  people;  he  hath 
redeemed  Jerusalem. 

80  The  Lord  hath  made  bare  his  holy  arm  in  the  eyes  of 
all  the  nations;  and  all  the  ends  of  the  earth  shall  see  the 
salvation  of  our  God. 

81  And  now  Abinadi  said  unto  them.  Are  you  priests,  and 
pretend  to  teach  this  people,  and  to  understand  the  spirit  of 
prophesying,  and  yet  desire  to  know  of  me  what  these  things 
mean? 

82  I  say  unto  you.  Wo  be  unto  you  for  perverting  the  ways 
of  the  Lord.  For  if  ye  understand  these  things,  ye  have  not 
taught  them;  therefore  ye  have  perverted  the  ways  of  the 
Lord. 

83  Ye  have  not  applied  your  hearts  to  understanding; 
therefore,  ye  have  not  been  wise.  Therefore,  what  teach  ye 
this  people? 

84  And  they  said,  We  teach  the  law  of  Moses. 


246  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  7. 

85  And  again,  he  said  unto  them,  If  ye  teach  the  law  of 
Moses,  why  do  ye  not  keep  it? 

86  Why  do  ye  set  your  hearts  upon  riches? 

87  Why  do  ye  commit  whoredoms,  and  spend  your  strength 
with  harlots,  yea,  and  cause  this  people  to  commit  sin,  that 
the  Lord  has  cause  to  send  me  to  prophesy  against  this  peo- 
ple, yea,  even  a  great  evil  against  this  people? 

88  Know  ye  not  that  I  speak  the  truth? 

89  Yea,  ye  know  that  I  speak  the  truth;  and  you  ought  to 
tremble  before  God. 

90  IJAnd  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  ye  shall  be  smitten  for 
your  iniquities:  for  ye  have  said  that  ye  teach  the  law  of 
Moses. 

91  And  what  know  ye  concerning  the  law  of  Moses? 

92  Doth  salvation  come  by  the  law  of  Moses?  What  say  ye? 

93  And  they  answered  and  said,  that  salvation  did  come 
by  the  law  of  Moses. 

94  But  now  Abinadi  said  unto  them,  I  know  if  ye  keep 
the  commandments  of  God,  ye  shall  be  saved; 

95  Yea,  if  ye  keep  the  commandments  which  the  Lord  de- 
livered unto  Moses,  in  the  mount  of  Sinai,  saying:  I  am  the 
Lord  thy  God,  who  has  brought  thee  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt, 
out  of  the  house  of  bondage. 

96  Thou  shalt  have  no  other  God  before  me. 

97  Thou  shalt  not  make  unto  thee  any  graven  image,  or 
any  likeness  of  anything  in  heaven  above,  or  things  which 
are  in  the  earth  beneath. 

98  Now  Abinadi  said  unto  them.  Have  ye  done  all  this?  I 
say  unto  you.  Nay,  ye  have  not. 

99  And  have  ye  taught  this  people  that  they  should  do  all 
these  things?     I  say  unto  you.  Nay,  ye  have  not. 

100  TJAnd  now  when  the  king  had  heard  these  words,  he 
said  unto  his  priests,  Away  with  this  fellow,  and  slay  him: 
for  what  have  we  to  do  with  him,  for  he  is  mad. 

101  And  they  stood  forth  and  attempted  to  lay  their  hands 
on  him:  but  he  withstood  them,  and  said  unto  them,  Touch 
me  not,  for  God  shall  smite  you  if  ye  lay  your  hands  upon  me, 


CHAP.  7.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  247 

for  I  have  not  delivered  the  message  which  the  Lord  sent  me 
to  deliver; 

102  Neither  have  I  told  you  that  which  ye  requested  that  I 
should  tell:  therefore,  God  will  not  suffer  that  I  shall  be  de- 
stroyed at  this  time. 

103  But  I  must  fulfill  the  commandments  wherewith  God 
has  commanded  me,  and  because  I  have  told  you  the  truth, 
ye  are  angry  with  me. 

104  And  again,  because  I  have  spoken  the  word  of  God,  ye 
have  judged  me  that  I  am  mad. 

105  ^Now  it  came  to  pass  after  Abinadi  had  spoken  these 
words,  that  the  people  of  King  Noah  durst  not  lay  their 
hands  on  him; 

106  For  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  was  upon  him:  and  his 
face  shone  with  exceeding  luster,  even  as  Moses'  did  while  in 
the  mount  of  Sinai,  while  speaking  with  the  Lord. 

107  And  he  spake  with  power  and  authority  from  God; 
and  he  continued  his  words,  saying,  Ye  see  that  ye  have  not 
power  to  slay  me,  therefore  I  finish  my  message. 

108  Yea,  and  I  perceive  that  it  cuts  you  to  your  hearts, 
because  I  tell  you  the  truth  concerning  your  iniquities:  yea, 
and  my  words  fill  you  with  wonder  and  amazement,  and  with 
anger. 

109  But  I  finish  my  message;  and  then  it  matters  not 
whither  I  go,  if  it  so  be  that  I  am  saved. 

110  But  this  much  I  tell  you:  What  you  do  with  me,  after 
this,  shall  be  as  a  type  and  a  shadow  of  things  which  are  to 
come. 

111  And  now  I  read  unto  you  the  remainder  of  the  com- 
mandments of  God,  for  I  perceive  that  they  are  not  written 
in  your  hearts; 

112  I  perceive  that  ye  have  studied  and  taught  iniquity  the 
most  part  of  your  lives. 

113  ^And  now,  ye  remember  that  I  said  unto  you.  Thou 
shalt  not  make  unto  thee  any  graven  image,  or  any  likeness 
of  things  which  are  in  heaven  above,  or  which  are  in  the 
earth  beneath,  or  which  are  in  the  water  under  the  earth. 

114  And   again:    Thou   shalt  not   bow  down   thyself   unto 


248  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  8. 

them,  nor  serve  them:  for  I  the  Lord  thy  God  am  a  jealous 
God,  visiting  the  iniquities  of  the  fathers  upon  the  children, 
unto  the  third  and  fourth  generations  of  them  that  hate  me; 
and  showing  mercy  unto  thousands  of  them  that  love  me,  and 
keep   my   commandments. 

115  Thou  shalt  not  take  the  name  of  the  Lord  thy  God  in 
vain:  for  the  Lord  will  not  hold  him  guiltless  that  taketh 
his  name  in  vain. 

116  Remember  the  Sabbath  day,  to  keep  it  holy. 

117  Six  days  shalt  thou  labor,  and  do  all  thy  work;  but 
the  seventh  day,  the  Sabbath  of  the  Lord  thy  God,  thou  shalt 
not  do  any  work,  thou,  nor  thy  son,  nor  thy  daughter,  thy 
man  servant,  nor  thy  maid  servant,  nor  thy  cattle,  nor  thy 
stranger  that  is  within  thy  gates: 

118  For  in  six  days  the  Lord  made  heaven  and  earth,  and 
the  sea  and  all  that  in  them  is:  wherefore  the  Lord  blessed 
the  Sabbath  day  and  hallowed  it. 

119  Honor  thy  father  and  thy  mother,  that  thy  days  may 
be  long  upon  the  land  which  the  Lord  thy  God  giveth  thee. 

120  Thou  shalt  not  kill, 

121  Thou  shalt  not  commit  adultery. 

122  Thou  shalt  not  steal. 

123  Thou  shalt  not  bear  false  witness  against  thy  neighbor. 

124  Thou  shalt  not  covet  thy  neighbor's  house,  thou  shalt 
not  covet  thy  neighbor's  wife,  nor  his  man  servant,  nor  his 
maid  servant,  nor  his  ox,  nor  his  ass,  nor  anything  that  is 
thy  neighbor's. 


CHAPTER  8. 

1  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  after  Abinadi  had  made  an 
end  of  these  sayings,  that  he  said  unto  them,  Have  ye  taught 
this  people  that  they  should  observe  to  do  all  these  things? 
for  to  keep  these  commandments? 

2  I  say  unto  you.  Nay;  for  if  you  had,  the  Lord  would  not 
have  caused  me  to  come  forth  and  to  prophesy  evil  concern- 
ing this  people. 


CHAP.  8.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  249 

3  And  now  ye  have  said  that  salvation  cometh  by  the  law 
of  Moses. 

4  I  say  unto  you  that  it  is  expedient  that  ye  should  keep 
the  law  of  Moses  as  yet;  but  I  say  unto  you,  that  the  time 
shall  come  when  it  shall  no  more  be  expedient  to  keep  the 
law  of  Moses. 

5  And  moreover,  I  say  unto  you,  that  salvation  doth  not 
come  by  the  law  alone;  and  were  it  not  for  the  atonement 
which  God  himself  shall  make  for  the  sins  and  iniquities  of 
his  people,  that  they  must  unavoidably  perish,  notwithstand- 
ing the  law  of  Moses. 

6  And  now  I  say  unto  you,  that  it  was  expedient  that  there 
should  be  a  law  given  to  the  children  of  Israel,  yea,  even  a 
very  strict  law :  for  they  were  a  stiff-necked  people :  quick  to 
do  iniquity,  and  slow  to  remember  the  Lord  their  God; 

7  Therefore  there  was  a  law  given  them,  yea,  a  law  of 
performances  and  of  ordinances,  a  law  which  they  were  to 
observe  strictly,  from  day  to  day,  to  keep  them  in  remem- 
brance of  God,  and  their  duty  towards  him. 

8  But  behold,  I  say  unto  you,  that  all  these  things  were 
types  of  things  to  come. 

9  And  now,  did  they  understand  the  law? 

10  I  say  unto  you.  Nay,  they  did  not  all  understand  the 
law;  and  this  because  of  the  hardness  of  their  hearts:  for 
they  understood  not  that  there  could  not  any  man  be  saved, 
except  it  were  through  the  redemption  of  God. 

11  For  behold,  did  not  Moses  prophesy  unto  them  concern- 
ing the  coming  of  the  Messiah,  and  that  God  should  redeem 
his  people,  yea,  and  even  all  the  prophets  who  have  prophe- 
sied ever  since  the  world  began? 

12  Have  they  not  spoken  more  or  less  concerning  these 
things? 

13  Have  they  not  said  that  God  himself  should  come  down 
among  the  children  of  men,  and  take  upon  him  the  form  of 
man,  and  go  forth  in  mighty  power  upon  the  face  of  the 
earth? 

14  Yea,  and  have  they  not  said  also,  that  he  should  bring 


250  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  8. 

to  pass  the  resurrection  of  the  dead,  and  that  he,  himself, 
should  be  oppressed  and  afflicted? 

15  Yea,  even  doth  not  Isaiah  say, 

16  'Who  hath  believed  our  report,  and  to  whom  is  the  arm 
of  the  Lord  revealed? 

17  For  he  shall  grow  up  before  him  as  a  tender  plant,  and 
as  a  root  out  of  dry  ground ;  he  hath  no  form  nor  comeliness : 
and  when  we  shall  see  him,  there  is  no  beauty  that  we  should 
desire  him. 

18  He  is  despised  and  rejected  of  men;  a  man  of  sorrows, 
and  acquainted  with  grief:  and  we  hid  as  it  were  our  face 
from  him;  he  was  despised,  and  we  esteemed  him  not. 

19  II Surely  he  has  borne  our  griefs:  and  carried  our  sor- 
rows: yet  we  did  esteem  him  stricken,  smitten  of  God,  and 
afflicted. 

20  But  he  was  wounded  for  our  transgressions,  he  was 
bruised  for  our  iniquities;  the  chastisement  of  our  peace  was 
upon  him;   and  with  his  stripes  we  are  healed. 

21  All  we,  like  sheep,  have  gone  astray;  we  have  turned 
every  one  to  his  own  way;  and  the  Lord  hath  laid  on  him  the 
iniquities  of  us  all. 

22  He  was  oppressed,  and  he  was  afflicted,  yet  he  opened 
not  his  mouth:  he  is  brought  as  a  lamb  to  the  slaughter,  and 
as  a  sheep  before  her  shearers  is  dumb,  so  he  opened  not  his 
mouth. 

23  He  was  taken  from  prison  and  from  judgment;  and  who 
shall  declare  his  generation?  for  he  was  cut  off  out  of  the 
land  of  the  living:  for  the  transgressions  of  my  people  was 
he  stricken. 

24  And  he  made  his  grave  with  the  wicked,  and  with  the 
rich  in  his  death;  because  he  had  done  no  evil,  neither  was 
any  deceit  in  his  mouth. 

25  ^Yet  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  bruise  him;  he  hath  put  him 
to  grief;  when  thou  shalt  make  his  soul  an  offering  for  sin, 
he  shall  see  his  seed,  he  shall  prolong  his  days,  and  the  pleas- 
ure of  the  Lord  shall  prosper  in  his  hand. 

ilsalah   53. 


CHAP.  8.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  251 

26  He  shall  see  of  the  travail  of  his  soul,  and  shall  be 
satisfied:  by  his  knowledge  shall  my  righteous  servant  justify 
many;   for  he  shall  bear  their  iniquities. 

27  Therefore  will  I  divide  him  a  portion  with  the  great, 
and  he  shall  divide  the  spoil  with  the  strong;  because  he  hath 
poured  out  his  soul  unto  death:  and  he  was  numbered  with 
the  transgressors:  and  he  bare  the  sins  of  many,  and  made 
intercession  for  the  transgressors. 

28  ^And  now  Abinadi  said  unto  them,  I  would  that  ye 
should  understand  that  God  himself  shall  come  down  among 
the  children  of  men,  and  shall  redeem  his  people; 

29  And  because  he  dwelleth  in  flesh,  he  shall  be  called  the 
Son  of  God: 

30  And  having  subjected  the  flesh  to  the  will  of  the  Father, 
being  the  Father  and  the  Son;  the  Father  because  he  was 
conceived  by  the  power  of  God;  and  the  Son,  because  of  the 
flesh;  thus  becoming  the  Father  and  Son: 

31  And  they  are  one  God,  yea,  the  very  eternal  Father  of 
heaven  and  of  earth; 

32  And  thus  the  flesh  becoming  subject  to  the  Spirit,  or 
the  Son  to  the  Father,  being  one  God,  suffereth  temptation, 
and  yieldeth  not  to  the  temptation,  but  suffereth  himself  to 
be  mocked,  and  scourged,  and  cast  out,  and  disowned  by  his 
people. 

33  And  after  all  this,  and  after  working  many  mighty 
miracles  among  the  children  of  men,  he  shall  be  led,  yea,  even 
as  Isaiah  said,  as  a  sheep  before  the  shearer  is  dumb,  so  he 
opened  not  his  mouth; 

34  Yea,  even  so  he  shall  be  led,  crucified  and  slain,  the 
flesh  becoming  subject  even  unto  death,  the  will  of  the  Son 
being  swallowed  up  in  the  will  of  the  Father; 

35  And  thus  God  breaketh  the  bands  of  death;  having 
gained  the  victory  over  death;  giving  the  Son  power  to  make 
intercession  for  the  children  of  men: 

36  Having  ascended  into  heaven;  having  the  bowels  of 
mercy;  being  filled  with  compassion  toward  the  children  of 
men; 

37  Standing  betwixt  them  and  justice;  having  broken  the 


252  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  8. 

bands  of  death,  taken  upon  himself  their  iniquity  and  their 
transgressions;  having  redeemed  them,  and  satisfied  the  de- 
mands of  justice. 

38  And  now  I  say  unto  you.  Who  shall  declare  his  genera- 
tion? 

39  Behold,  I  say  unto  you,  that  when  his  soul  has  been 
made  an  offering  for  sin,  he  shall  see  his  seed. 

40  And  now  what  say  ye?     And  who  shall  be  his  seed? 

41  Behold,  I  say  unto  you,  that  whosoever  has  heard  the 
words  of  the  prophets,  yea,  all  the  holy  prophets  who  have 
prophesied  concerning  the  coming  of  the  Lord: 

42  I  say  unto  you,  that  all  those  who  have  hearkened  unto 
their  words,  and  believed  that  the  Lord  would  redeem  his 
people,  and  have  looked  forward  to  that  day  for  a  remission 
of  their  sins; 

43  I  say  unto  you,  that  these  are  his  seed,  or  they  are  heirs 
of  the  kingdom  of  God : 

44  For  these  are  they  whose  sins  he  has  borne;  these  are 
they  for  whom  he  has  died,  to  redeem  them  from  their  trans- 
gressions. 

45  And  now,  are  they  not  his  seed? 

46  Yea,  and  are  not  the  prophets,  every  one  that  has  opened 
his  mouth  to  prophesy,  that  has  not  fallen  into  transgression; 
I  mean  all  the  holy  prophets  ever  since  the  world  began? 

47  I  say  unto  you  that  they  are  his  seed;  and  these  are 
they  who  have  published  peace,  who  have  brought  good  tid- 
ings of  good,  who  have  published  salvation;  and  said  unto 
Zion,  Thy  God  reigneth! 

48  And  0  how  beautiful  upon  the  mountains  were  their 
feet! 

49  And  again,  how  beautiful  upon  the  mountains  are  the 
feet  of  those  that  are  still  publishing  peace! 

50  And  again,  how  beautiful  upon  the  mountains  are  the 
feet  of  those  who  shall  hereafter  publish  peace,  yea,  from  this 
time  henceforth  and  for  ever! 

51  And  behold,  I  say  unto  you,  This  is  not  all:  for  O  how 
beautiful  upon  the  mountains  are  the  feet  of  him  that  bring- 
eth  good  tidings,  that  is  the  founder  of  peace; 


CHAP.  8.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  253 

52  Yea,  even  the  Lord,  who  has  redeemed  his  people;  yea, 
him  who  has  granted  salvation  unto  his  people: 

53  For  were  it  not  for  the  redemption  which  he  hath  made 
for  his  people,  which  was  prepared  from  the  foundation  of 
the  world;  I  say  unto  you,  were  it  not  for  this,  all  mankind 
must  have  perished. 

54  But  behold,  the  bands  of  death  shall  be  broken,  and 
the  Son  reigneth,  and  hath  power  over  the  dead;  therefore, 
he  bringeth  to  pass  the  resurrection  of  the  dead. 

55  And  there  cometh  a  resurrection,  even  a  first  resur- 
rection; yea,  even  a  resurrection  of  those  that  have  been,  and 
who  are,  and  who  shall  be,  even  until  the  resurrection  of 
Christ:  for  so  shall  he  be  called. 

56  And  now,  the  resurrection  of  all  the  prophets,  and  all 
those  that  have  believed  in  their  words,  or  all  those  that  have 
kept  the  commandments  of  God,  shall  come  forth  in  the  first 
resurrection;  therefore,  they  are  the  first  resurrection. 

57  They  are  raised  to  dwell  with  God  who  has  redeemed 
them:  thus  they  have  eternal  life  through  Christ,  who  has 
broken  the  bands  of  death. 

58  And  these  are  those  who  have  part  in  the  first  resur- 
rection ;  and  these  are  they  that  have  died  before  Christ  came, 
in  their  ignorance,  not  having  salvation  declared  unto  them. 

59  And  thus  the  Lord  bringeth  about  the  restoration  of 
these;  and  they  have  a  part  in  the  first  resurrection,  or  have 
eternal  life,  being  redeemed  by  the  Lord. 

60  And  little  children  also  have  eternal  life. 

61  But  behold,  and  fear,  and  tremble  before  God;  for  ye 
ought  to  tremble:  for  the  Lord  redeemeth  none  such  that 
rebel  against  him,  and  die  in  their  sins; 

62  Yea,  even  all  those  that  have  perished  in  their  sins  ever 
since  the  world  began,  that  have  willfully  rebelled  against 
God,  that  have  known  the  commandments  of  God,  and  would 
not  keep  them;  these  are  they  that  have  no  part  in  the  first 
resurrection. 

63  Therefore  had  ye  not  ought  to  tremble? 

64  For  salvation  cometh  to  none  such;  for  the  Lord  hath 
redeemed  none  such; 


254  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  8. 

65  Yea,  neither  can  the  Lord  redeem  such:  for  he  can  not 
deny  himself;  for  he  can  not  deny  justice  when  it  has  its 
claim. 

66  IJAnd  now  I  say  unto  you,  that  the  time  shall  come 
that  the  salvation  of  the  Lord  shall  be  declared  to  every  na- 
tion, kindred,  tongue,  and  people, 

67  Yea,  Lord,  thy  watchmen  shall  lift  up  their  voice;  with 
the  voice  together  shall  they  sing:  for  they  shall  see  eye  to 
eye,  when  the  Lord  shall  bring  again  Zion. 

68  Break  forth  into  joy,  sing  together,  ye  waste  places  of 
Jerusalem:  for  the  Lord  hath  comforted  his  people,  he  hath 
redeemed  Jerusalem. 

69  The  Lord  hath  made  bare  his  holy  arm  in  the  eyes  of 
all  the  nations:  and  all  the  ends  of  the  earth  shall  see  the 
salvation  of  our  God. 

70  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  after  Abinadi  had  spoken 
these  words,  he  stretched  forth  his  hand  and  said.  The  time 
shall  come  when  all  shall  see  the  salvation  of  the  Lord; 

71  When  every  nation,  kindred,  tongue  and  people,  shall 
see  eye  to  eye,  and  shall  confess  before  God  that  his  judg- 
ments are  just; 

72  And  then  shall  the  wicked  be  cast  out,  and  they  shall 
have  cause  to  howl,  and  weep,  and  wail,  and  gnash  their 
teeth ; 

73  And  this  because  they  would  not  hearken  unto  the  voice 
of  the  Lord;  therefore  the  Lord  redeemeth  them  not,  for  they 
are  carnal  and  devilish,  and  the  devil  has  power  over  them; 

74  Yea,  even  that  old  serpent  that  did  beguile  our  first 
parents,  which  was  the  cause  of  their  fall; 

75  Which  was  the  cause  of  all  mankind  becoming  carnal, 
sensual,  devilish,  knowing  evil  from  good,  subjecting  them- 
selves to  the  devil. 

76  Thus  all  mankind  were  lost;  and  behold,  they  would 
have  been  endlessly  lost,  were  it  not  that  God  redeemed  his 
people  from  their  lost  and  fallen  state. 

77  But  remember,  that  he  that  persists  in  his  own  carnal 
nature,  and  goes  on  in  the  ways  of  sin  and  rebellion  against 


CHAP.  8.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  255 

God,   remaineth   in   his   fallen    state,   and  the   devil   hath   all 
power  over  him. 

78  Therefore  he  is  as  though  there  was  no  redemption 
made;  being  an  enemy  to  God;  and  also  is  the  devil  an  enemy 
to  God. 

79  And  now  if  Christ  had  not  come  into  the  world,  speak- 
ing of  things  to  come,  as  though  they  had  already  come,  there 
could  have  been  no  redemption. 

80  And  if  Christ  had  not  risen  from  the  dead,  or  have 
broken  the  bands  of  death,  that  the  grave  should  have  no 
victory,  and  that  death  should  have  no  sting,  there  could  have 
been  no  resurrection. 

81  But  there  is  a  resurrection,  therefore  the  grave  hath  no 
victory,  and  the  sting  of  death  is  swallowed  up  in  Christ. 

82  He  is  the  light  and  the  life  of  the  world;  yea,  a  light 
that  is  endless,  that  can  never  be  darkened;  yea,  and  also  a 
life  which  is  endless,  that  there  can  be  no  more  death. 

83  Even  this  mortal  shall  put  on  immortality,  and  this  cor- 
ruption shall  put  on  incorruption,  and  shall  be  brought  to 
stand  before  the  bar  of  God,  to  be  judged  of  him  according 
to  their  works,  whether  they  be  good  or  whether  they  be  evil. 

84  If  they  be  good,  to  the  resurrection  of  endless  life  and 
happiness,  and  if  they  be  evil,  to  the  resurrection  of  endless 
damnation ; 

85  Being  delivered  up  to  the  devil,  who  hath  subjected 
them,  which  is  damnation; 

86  Having  gone  according  to  their  own  carnal  wills  and 
desires;  having  never  called  upon  the  Lord  while  the  arms 
of  mercy  were  extended  towards  them; 

87  For  the  arms  of  mercy  were  extended  towards  them, 
and  they  would  not;  they  being  warned  of  their  iniquities, 
and  yet  they  would  not  depart  from  them; 

88  And  they  were  commanded  to  repent,  and  yet  they  would 
not  repent. 

89  And  now  had  ye  not  ought  to  tremble  and  repent  of 
your  sins,  and  remember  only  in  and  through  Christ  ye  can 
be  saved? 


256  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  9. 

90  Therefore,  if  ye  teach  the  law  of  Moses,  also  teach  that 
it  is  a  shadow  of  those  thinp:s  which  are  to  come; 

91  Teach  them  that  redemption  cometh  through  Christ  the 
Lord,  who  is  the  very  eternal  Father.     Amen. 


CHAPTER  9. 

1  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Abinadi  had  fin- 
ished these  sayings,  that  the  king  commanded  that  the  priests 
should  take  him  and  cause  that  he  should  be  put  to  death. 

2  But  there  was  one  among  them,  whose  name  was  Alma, 
he  also  being  a  descendant  of  Nephi. 

3  And  he  was  a  young  man,  and  he  believed  the  words 
which  Abinadi  had  spoken,  for  he  knew  concerning  the  iniq- 
uity which  Abinadi  had  testified  against  them: 

4  Therefore  he  began  to  plead  with  the  king  that  he  would 
not  be  angry  with  Abinadi,  but  suffer  that  he  might  depart 
in  peace. 

5  But  the  king  was  more  wroth,  and  caused  that  Alma 
should  be  cast  out  from  among  them,  and  sent  his  servants 
after  him,  that  they  might  slay  him. 

6  But  he  fled  from  before  them,  and  hid  himself,  that  they 
found  him  not. 

7  And  he,  being  concealed  for  many  days,  did  write  all  the 
words  which  Abinadi  had  spoken. 

8  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  king  caused  that  his 
guards  should  surround  Abinadi,  and  take  him;  and  they 
bound  him  and  cast  him  into  prison. 

9  And  after  three  days,  having  counseled  with  his  priests, 
he  caused  that  he  should  again  be  brought  before  him. 

10  And  he  said  unto  him,  Abinadi,  we  have  found  an  accu- 
sation  against  thee,  and  thou  art  worthy  of  death. 

11  For  thou  hast  said  that  God  himself  should  come  down 
among  the  children  of  men; 

12  And  now  for  this  cause  thou  shalt  be  put  to  death,  un- 
less thou  wilt  recall  all  the  words  which  thou  hast  spoken 
evil  concerning  me  and  my  people. 


CHAP.  9.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  257 

13  ^Now  Abinadi  said  unto  him:  I  say  unto  you,  I  will 
not  recall  the  words  which  I  have  spoken  unto  you  concern- 
ing this  people,  for  they  are  true; 

.14  And  that  ye  may  know  of  their  surety,  I  have  suf- 
fered myself  that  I  have  fallen  into  your  hands. 

15  Yea,  and  I  will  suffer  even  until  death,,  and  I  will  not 
recall  my  words,  and  they  shall  stand  as  a  testimony  against 
you. 

16  And  if  ye  slay  me,  ye  will  shed  innocent  blood,  and  this 
shall  also  stand  as  a  testimony  against  you  at  the  last  day. 

17  TJAnd  now  King  Noah  was  about  to  release  him,  for  he 
feared  his  word;  for  he  feared  that  the  judgments  of  God 
would  come  upon  him. 

18  But  the  priests  lifted  up  their  voices  against  him,  and 
began  to  accuse  him,  saying:    He  has  reviled  the  king. 

19  Therefore  the  king  was  stirred  up  in  anger  against 
him,  and  he  delivered  him  up,  that  he  might  be  slain. 

20  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  they  took  him,  and  bound 
him,  and  scourged  his  skin  with  fagots,  yea,  even  unto  death. 

21  And  now  when  the  flames  began  to  scorch  him,  he 
cried  unto  them,  saying:  Behold,  even  as  ye  have  done  unto 
me,  so  shall  it  come  to  pass  that  thy  seed  shall  cause  that 
many  shall  suffer  the  pains  that  I  do  suffer,  even  the  pains 
of  death,  by  fire;  and  this  because  they  believe  in  the  salva- 
tion of  the  Lord  their  God. 

22  And  it  will  come  to  pass  that  ye  shall  be  afflicted  with 
all  manner  of  diseases,  because  of  your  iniquities. 

23  Yea,^  and  ye  shall  be  smitten  on  every  hand,  and  shall 
be  driven  and  scattered  to  and  fro,  even  as  a  wild  flock  is 
driven  by  wild  and  ferocious  beasts. 

24  And  in  that  day  ye  shall  be  hunted,  and  ye  shall  be 
taken  by  the  hand  of  your  enemies,  and  then  ye  shall  suffer, 
as  I  suffer,  the  pains  of  death  by  fire. 

25  Thus  God  executeth  vengeance  upon  those  that  destroy 
his  people.  fS;' 
.    26  O  God,  receive  my  soul. 

27  And  now  when  Abinadi  had  said  these  words,  he  fell, 
having  suffered  death  by  fire;  yea,  having  been  put  to  death 


258  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  9. 

because  he  would  not  deny  the  commandments  of  God:  hav- 
ing sealed  the  truth  of  his  words  by  his  death. 

28  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  Alma,  who  had  fled  from 
the  servants  of  King  Noah,  repented  of  his  sins  ajid  iniquities, 
and  went  about  privately  among  the  people,  and  began  to 
teach  the  words  of  Abinadi; 

29  Yea,  concerning  that  which  was  to  come,  and  also  con- 
cerning the  resurrection  of  the  dead,  and  the  redemption  of 
the  people,  which  was  to  be  brought  to  pass  through  the 
power,  and  sufferings,  and  death  of  Christ,  and  his  resur- 
rection and  ascension  into  heaven. 

30  And  as  many  as  would  hear  his  word  he  did  teach. 

31  And  he  taught  them  privately,  that  it  might  not  come 
to  the  knowledge  of  the  king.  And  many  did  believe  his 
words. 

32  And  it  came  to  pass  that  as  many  as  did  believe  him, 
did  go  forth  to  a  place  which  was  called  Mormon,  having  re- 
ceived its  name  from  the  king,  being  in  the  borders  of  the 
land  having  been  infested,  by  times,  or  at  seasons,  by  wild 
beasts. 

33  Now  there  was  in  Mormon  a  fountain  of  pure  water, 
and  Alma  resorted  thither,  there  being  near  the  water  a 
thicket  of  small  trees,  where  he  did  hide  himself  in  the  day 
time,  from  the  searches  of  the  king. 

34  And  it  came  to  pass  that  as  many  as  believed  him,  went 
thither  to  hear  his  words. 

35  And  it  came  to  pass  after  many  days,  there  were  a 
goodly  number  gathered  together  to  the  place  of  Mormon,  to 
hear  the  words  of  Alma. 

36  Yea,  all  were  gathered  together  that  believed  on  his 
word,  to  hear  him. 

37  And  he  did  teach  them,  and  did  preach  unto  them  re- 
pentance, and  redemption,  and  faith  on  the  Lord. 

38  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  said  unto  them.  Behold, 
here  are  the  waters  of  Mormon;    for  thus  were  they  called. 

39  And  now,  as  ye  are  desirous  to  come  into  the  fold  of 
God,  and  to  be  called  his  people,  and  are  willing  to  bear  one 
another's  burdens,  that  they  may  be  light; 


CHAP.  9.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  259 

40  Yea,  and  are  willing  to  mourn  with  those  that  mourn; 
yea,  and  comfort  those  that  stand  in  need  of  comfort,  and 
to  stand  as  witnesses  of  God  at  all  times,  and  in  all  things, 
and  in  all  places  that  ye  may  be  in,  even  until  death,  that  ye 
may  be  redeemed  of  God,  and  be  numbered  with  those  of  the 
first  resurrection,  that  ye  may  have  eternal  life: 

41  Now  I  say  unto  you,  If  this  be  the  desire  of  your  hearts, 
what  have  you  against  being  baptized  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord,  as  a  witness  before  him  that  ye  have  entered  into  a 
covenant  with  him  that  ye  will  serve  him  and  keep  his  com- 
mandments, that  he  may  pour  out  his  Spirit  more  abundantly 
upon  you? 

42  And  now  when  the  people  had  heard  these  words,  they 
clapped  their  hands  for  joy,  and  exclaimed,  This  is  the  desire 
of  our  hearts. 

43  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  Alma  took  Helam,  he 
being  one  of  the  first,  and  went  and  stood  forth  in  the  water, 
and  cried,  saying,  O  Lord,  pour  out  thy  Spirit  upon  thy  serv- 
ant, that  he  may  do  this  work  with  holiness  of  heart. 

44  And  when  he  had  said  these  words,  the  Spirit  of  the 
Lord  was  upon  him,  and  he  said,  Helam,  I  baptize  thee,  hav- 
ing authority  from  the  Almighty  God,  as  a  testimony  that  ye 
have  entered  into  a  covenant  to  serve  him  until  you  are  dead, 
as  to  the  mortal  body;  and  may  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  be 
poured  out  upon  you ;  and  may  he  grant  unto  you  eternal  life, 
through  the  redemption  of  Christ,  whom  he  has  prepared 
from  the  foundation  of  the  world. 

45  And  after  Alma  had  said  these  words,  both  Alma  and 
Helam  were  buried  in  the  water;  and  they  arose  and  came 
forth  out  of  the  water  rejoicing,  being  filled  with  the  Spirit. 

46  And  again,  Alma  took  another,  and  went  forth  a  second 
time  into  the  water,  and  baptized  him  according  to  the  first, 
only  he  did  not  bury  himself  again  in  the  water. 

47  And  after  this  manner  he  did  baptize  every  one  that 
went  forth  to  the  place  of  Mormon :  and  they  were  in  number 
about  two  hundred  and  four  souls; 

48  Yea,  and  they  were  baptized  in  the  waters  of  Mormon, 
and  were  filled  with  the  grace  of  God: 


260  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  9. 

49  And  they  were  called  the  church  of  God,  or  the  church 
of  Christ,  from  that  time  forward. 

50  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  whosoever  was  baptized  by 
the  power  and  authority  of  God,  was  added  to  his  church. 

51  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  Alma,  having  authority  from 
God,  ordained  priests;  even  one  priest  to  every  fifty  of  their 
number  did  he  ordain  to  preach  unto  them,  and  to  teach  them 
concerning  the  things  pertaining  to  the  kingdom  of  God. 

52  And  he  commanded  them  that  they  should  teach  noth- 
ing save  it  were  the  things  which  he  had  taught,  and  which 
had  been  spoken  by  the  mouth  of  the  holy  prophets. 

53  Yea,  even  he  commanded  them  that  they  should  preach 
nothing  save  it  were  repentance  and  faith  on  the  Lord,  who 
had  redeemed  his  people. 

54  And  he  commanded  them  that  there  should  be  no  con- 
tention one  with  another,  but  that  they  should  look  forward 
with  one  eye,  having  one  faith  and  one  baptism;  having  their 
hearts  knit  together  in  unity  and  in  love,  one  towards  an- 
other. 

55  And  thus  he  commanded  them  to  preach.  And  thus 
they  became  the  children  of  God. 

56  And  he  commanded  them  that  they  should  observe  the 
Sabbath  day,  and  keep  it  holy,  and  also  every  day  they  should 
give  thanks  to  the  Lord  their  God. 

57  And  he  also  commanded  them  that  the  priests,  whom  he 
had  ordained,  should  labor  with  their  own  hands  for  their 
support ; 

58  And  there  was  one  day  in  every  week  that  was  set 
apart  that  they  should  gather  themselves  together  to  teach 
the  people,  and  to  worship  the  Lord  their  God,  and  also  as 
often  as  it  was  in  their  power,  to  assemble  themselves  to- 
gether. 

59  And  the  priests  were  not  to  depend  upon  the  people  for 
their  support;  but  for  their  labor  they  were  to  receive  the 
^race  of  God,  that  they  might  wax  strong  in  the  Spirit,  hav- 
ing the  knowledge  of  God,  that  they  might  teach  with  power 
and  authority  from  God. 

60  And    again,    Alma   commanded   that   the   people   of   the 


CHAP.  9.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  261 

church  should  impart  of  their  substance,  every  one  accord- 
ing to  that  which  he  had; 

61  If  he  have  more  abundantly,  he  should  impart  more 
abundantly;  and  he  that  had  but  little,  but  little  should  be 
required;  and  to  him  that  had  not  should  be  given. 

62  And  thus  they  should  impart  of  their  substance,  of  their 
own  free  will  and  good  desires  towards  God,  and  to  those 
priests  that  stood  in  need,  yea,  and  to  every  needy,  naked  soul. 

63  And  this  he  said  unto  them,  having  been  commanded 
of  God; 

64  And  they  did  walk  uprightly  before  God,  imparting  to 
one  another,  both  temporally  and  spiritually,  according  to 
their  needs  and  their  wants. 

65  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  all  this  was  done  in  Mor- 
mon; yea,  by  the  waters  of  Mormon,  in  the  forest  that  was 
near  the  waters  of  Mormon: 

66  Yea,  the  place  of  Mormon,  the  waters  of  Mormon,  the 
forest  of  Mormon,  how  beautiful  are  they  to  the  eyes  of 
them  who  there  came  to  the  knowledge  of  their  Redeemer; 

67  Yea,  and  how  blessed  are  they,  for  they  shall  sing  to 
his  praise  for  ever. 

68  And  these  things  were  done  in  the  borders  of  the  land, 
that  they  might  not  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  king. 

69  But  behold,  it  came  to  pass  that  the  king,  having  dis- 
covered a  movement  among  the  people,  sent  his  servants  to 
watch  them. 

70  Therefore  on  the  day  that  they  were  assembling  them- 
selves together  to  hear  the  word  of  the  Lord,  they  were  dis- 
covered unto  the  king. 

71  And  now  the  king  said  that  Alma  was  stirring  up  the 
people  to  rebellion  against  him;  therefore  he  sent  his  army 
to  destroy  them. 

72  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Alma,  and  the  people  of  the 
Lord,  were  apprised  of  the  coaming  of  the  king's  army;  there- 
fore they  took  their  tents  and  their  families,  and  departed 
into  the  wilderness. 

73  And  they  were  in  number  about  four  hundred  and  fifty 
souls- 


262  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  9. 

74  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  army  of  the  king  re- 
turned, having  searched  in  vain  for  the  people  of  the  Lord. 

75  And  now  behold,  the  forces  of  the  king  were  small,  hav- 
ing been  reduced,  and  there  began  to  be  a  division  among  the 
remainder  of  the  people. 

76  And  the  lesser  part  began  to  breathe  out  threatenings 
against  the  king,  and  there  began  to  be  a  great  contention 
among  them. 

77  And  now  there  was  a  man  among  them  whose  name 
was  Gideon,  and  he  h2mg  a  strong  man,  and  an  enemy  to  the 
king,  therefore  he  drew  his  sword  and  swore  in  his  wrath, 
that  he  would  slay  the  king. 

78  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  fought  with  the  king;  and 
when  the  king  saw  that  he  was  about  to  overpower  him,  he 
fled  and  ran  and  get  upon  the  tower,  which  was  near  the 
temple. 

79  And  Gideon  pursued  after  him,  and  was  about  to  get 
upon  the  tower  to  slay  the  king,  and  the  king  cast  his  eyes 
round  about  towards  the  land  of  Shemlon,  and  behold,  the 
army  of  the  Lamanites  were  within  the  borders  of  the  land. 

80  And  now  the  king  cried  out  in  the  anguish  of  his  soul, 
saying,  Gideon,  spare  me,  for  the  Lamanites  are  upon  us,  and 
they  will  destroy  them;    yea,  they  will  destroy  my  people. 

81  And  now  the  king  was  not  so  much  concerned  about 
his  people,  as  he  was  about  his  own  life;  nevertheless,  Gideon 
did  spare  his  life. 

82  And  the  king  commanded  the  people  that  they  should 
flee  before  the  Lamanites,  and  he  himself  did  go  before  them, 
and  they  did  flee  into  the  wilderness  with  their  women  and 
their  children. 

83  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lamanites  did  pursue 
them,  and  did  overtake  them,  and  began  to  slay  them. 

84  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  king  commanded  them 
that  all  the  men  should  leave  their  wives  and  their  children, 
and  flee  befoie  the  Lamanites. 

85  Now  there  were  many  that  would  not  leave  them,  but 
had  rather  stay  and  perish  with  them. 

86  And  the  rest  left  their  wives  and  their  children  and  fled. 


CHAP.  9.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  263 

87  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  those  who  tarried  with  their 
wives  and  their  children,  caused  that  their  fair  daughters 
should  stand  forth  and  plead  with  the  Lamanites,  that  they 
would  not  slay  them. 

88  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lamanites  had  compas- 
sion on  them,  for  they  were  charmed  with  the  beauty  of  their 
women ; 

89  Therefore  the  Lamanites  did  spare  their  lives,  and  took 
them  captives,  and  carried  them  back  to  the  land  of  Nephi, 
and  granted  unto  them  that  they  might  possess  the  land, 
under  the  conditions  that  they  would  deliver  up  King  Noah 
into  the  hands  of  the  Lamanites,  and  deliver  up  their  prop- 
erty, 

90  Even  one  half  of  all  they  possessed;  one  half  of  their 
gold,  and  their  silver,  and  all  their  precious  things;  and  thus 
they  should  pay  tribute  to  the  king  of  the  Lamanites,  from 
year  to  year. 

91  And  now  there  was  one  of  the  sons  of  the  king  among 
those  that  were  taken  captive,  whose  name  was  Limhi. 

92  And  now  Limhi  was  desirous  that  his  father  should  not 
be  destroyed;  nevertheless,  Limhi  was  not  ignorant  of  the 
iniquities  of  his  father,  he  himself  being  a  just  man. 

93  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Gideon  sent  men  into  the 
wilderness  secretly,  to  search  for  the  king,  and  those  that 
were  with  him. 

94  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  met  the  people  in  the 
wilderness,  all  save  the  king  and  his  priests. 

95  Now  they  had  sworn  in  their  hearts  that  they  would 
return  to  the  land  of  Nephi,  and  if  their  wives  and  their 
children  were  slain,  and  also  those  that  had  tarried  with 
them,  that  they  would  seek  revenge,  and  also  perish  with 
them. 

96  And  the  king  commanded  them  that  they  should  not  re- 
turn; and  they  were  angry  with  the  king,  and  caused  that 
he  should  suffer,  even  unto  death  by  fire. 

97  And  they  were  about  to  take  the  priests  also  to  pu^ 
them  to  death,  and  they  fled  before  them. 


264  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  9. 

98  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  they  were  about  to  return  to 
the  land  of  Nephi,  and  they  met  the  men  of  Gideon. 

99  And  the  men  of  Gideon  told  them  of  all  that  had  hap- 
pened to  their  wives  and  their  children;  and  that  the  La- 
manites  had  granted  unto  them  that  they  might  possess  the 
land  by  paying  a  tribute  to  the  Lamanites  of  one  half  of  all 
they  possessed. 

100  And  the  people  told  the  men  of  Gideon  that  they  had 
slain  the  king,  and  his  priests  had  fled  from  them  farther 
into  the  wilderness. 

101  And  it  came  to  pass  that  after  they  had  ended  the 
ceremony,  that  they  returned  to  the  land  of  Nephi,  rejoicing, 
because  their  wives  and  their  children  were  not  slain;  and 
they  told  Gideon  what  they  had  done  to  the  king. 

102  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  king  of  the  Lamanites 
made  an  oath  unto  them  that  his  people  should  not  slay  them. 

103  And  also  Limhi,  being  the  son  of  the  king,  having  the 
kingdom  conferred  upon  him  by  the  people,  made  oath  unto 
the  king  of  the  Lamanites,  that  his  people  should  pay  trib- 
ute unto  him;  even  one  half  of  all  they  possessed. 

104  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  Limhi  began  to  establish 
the  kingdom,  and  to  establish  peace  among  his  people. 

105  And  the  king  of  the  Lamanites  set  guards  round  about 
the  land,  that  he  might  keep  the  people  of  Limhi  in  the  land, 
that  they  might  not  depart  into  the  wilderness; 

106  And  he  did  support  his  guards  out  of  the  tribute  which 
he  did  receive  from  the  Nephites. 

107  And  now  King  Limhi  did  have  continual  peace  in  his 
kingdom,  for  the  space  of  two  years,  that  the  Lamanites  did 
not  molest  them  nor  seek  to  destroy  them. 

108  TJNow  there  was  a  place  in  Shemlon,  where  the  daugh- 
ters of  the  Lamanites  did  gather  themselves  together  to  sing, 
and  to  dance,  and  to  make  themselves  merry. 

109  And  it  came  to  pass  that  there  was  one  day  a  small 
number  of  them  gathered  together  to  sing  and  to  dance. 

110  And  now  the  priests  of  King  Noah,  being  ashamed  to 
return  to  the  city  of  Nephi,  yea,  and  also  fearing  that  the 


CHAP.  9.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  265 

people  would  slay  them,  therefore  they  durst  not  return  to 
their  wives  and  their  children.  ' 

111  And  having  tarried  in  the  wilderness,  and  having  dis- 
covered the  daughters  of  the  Lamanites,  they  laid  and  watched 
them;  and  when  there  were  but  few  of  them  gathered  to- 
gether to  dance,  they  came  forth  out  of  their  secret  places, 
and  took  them  and  carried  them  into  the  wilderness; 

112  Yea,  twenty  and  four  of  the  daughters  of  the  La- 
manites they  carried  into  the  wilderness. 

113  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  when  the  Lamanites  found 
that  their  daughters  had  been  missing,  they  were  angry  with 
the  people  of  Limhi;  for  they  thought  it  was  the  people  of 
Limhi. 

114  Therefore  they  sent  their  armies  forth;  yea,  even  the 
king  himself  went  before  his  people;  and  they  went  up  to 
the  land  of  Nephi,  to  des-troy  the  people  of  Limhi. 

115  And  now  Limhi  had  discovered  them  from  the  tower; 
even  all  their  preparations  for  war  did  he  discover;  there- 
fore he  gathered  his  people  together,  and  laid  wait  for  them 
in  the  fields,  and  in  the  forests. 

116  And  it  cartie  to  pass  that  when  the  Lamanites  had 
come  up,  that  the  people  of  Limhi  began  to  fall  upon  them 
from  their  waiting  places,  and  began  to  slay  them. 

117  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  battle  became  exceed- 
ing sore,  for  they  fought  like  lions  for  their  prey. 

118  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  people  of  Limhi  began  to 
drive  the  Lamanites  before  them,  yet  they  were  not  half  so 
numerous  as  the  Lamanites. 

119  But  they  fought  for  their  lives,  and  for  their  wiv6s, 
and  for  their  children;  therefore  they  exerted  themselves, 
and  like  dragons  did  they  fight. 

120  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  they  found  the  king  of  the 
Lamanites  among  the  number  of  their  dead;  yet  he  was  not 
dead,  having  been  wounded  and  left  upon  the  ground,  so 
speedy  was  the  flight  of  his  people. 

121  And  they  took  him  and  bound  up  his  wounds,  and 
brought  him  before  Limhi,  and  said,  Behold,  here  is  the  king 
of  the  Lamanites;   he  having  received  a  wound,  has  fallen 


266  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  9. 

among  their  dead,  and  they  have  left  him;  and  behold,  we 
have  brought  him  before  you;  and  now  let  us  slay  him. 

122  But  Limhi  said  unto  them.  Ye  shall  not  slay  him,  but 
bring  him  hither,  that  I  may  see  him.    And  they  brought  him. 

123  And  Limhi  said  unto  him.  What  cause  have  ye  to  come 
up  to  war  against  my  people? 

124  Behold,  my  people  have  not  broken  the  oath  that  I 
made  unto  you;  therefore,  why  should  ye  break  the  oath 
which  ye  made  unto  my  people? 

125  And  now  the  king  said,  I  have  broken  the  oath,  be- 
cause thy  people  did  carry  away  the  daughters  of  my  people; 
therefore  in  my  anger  I  did  cause  my  people  to  come  up  to 
war  against  thy  people. 

126  Now  Limhi  had  heard  nothing  concerning  this  matter; 
therefore  he  said,  I  will  search  among  my  people,  and  who- 
soever has  done  this  thing  shall  perish. 

127  Therefore  he  caused  a  search  to  be  made  among  his 
people. 

128  Now  when  Gideon  had  heard  these  things,  he  being  the 
king's  captain,  he  went  forth  and  said  unto  the  king,  I  pray 
thee  forbear,  and  do  not  search  this  people,  and  lay  not  this 
thing  to  their  charge. 

129  For  do  ye  not  remember  the  priests  of  thy  father, 
whom  this  people  sought  to  destroy? 

130  And  are  they  not  in  the  wilderness?  And  are  not 
they  the  ones  who  have  stolen  the  daughters  of  the  Laman- 
ites? 

131  And  now  behold,  and  tell  the  king  of  these  things,  that 
he  may  tell  his  people,  that  they  may  be  pacified  towards  us: 
for  behold  they  are  already  preparing  to  come  against  us; 
and  behold  also,  there  are  but  few  of  us. 

132  And  behold,  they  come  with  their  numerous  hosts;  and 
except  the  king  doth  pacify  them  towards  us,  we  must  perish. 

133  For  are  not  the  words  of  Abinadi  fulfilled,  which  he 
prophesied  against  us?  and  all  this  because  we  would  not 
hearken  unto  the  word  of  the  Lord,  and  turn  from  our  iniq- 
uities? 

134  And  now  let  let  us  pacify  the  king,  and  we  fulfill  the 


CHAP.  9.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  267 

oath  which  we  have  made  unto  him:  for  it  is  better  that  we 
should  be  in  bondage,  than  that  we  should  lose  our  lives; 
therefore,  let  us  put  a  stop  to  the  shedding  of  so  much  blood. 

135  And  now  Limhi  told  the  king  all  the  things  concerning 
his  father,  and  the  priests  that  had  fled  into  the  wilderness, 
and  attributed  the  carrying  away  of  their  daughters  to  them. 

136  1|And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  king  was  pacified  towards 
his  people;  and  he  said  unto  them.  Let  us  go  forth  to  meet 
my  people,  without  arms;  and  I  swear  unto  you  with  an 
oath,  that  my  people  shall  not  slay  thy  people. 

137  And  it  came'  to  pass  that  they  followed  the  king,  and 
went  forth  without  arms  to  meet  the  Lamanites. 

138  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  meet  the  Lamanites; 
and  the  king  of  the  Lamanites  did  bow  himself  down  before 
them,  and  did  plead  in  behalf  of  the  people  of  Limhi. 

139  And  when  the  Lamanites  saw  the  people  of  Limhi,  that 
they  were  without  arms,  they  had  compassion  on  them,  and 
were  pacified  towards  them,  and  returned  with  their  king  in 
peace  to  their  own  land. 

140  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Limhi  and  his  people  re- 
turnea  to  the  city  of  Nephi,  and  began  to  dwell  in  the  land 
again  in  peace. 

141  And  it  came  to  pass  that  after  many  days,  the  Laman- 
ites began  again  to  be  stirred  up  in  anger  against  the  Ne- 
phites;  and  they  began  to  come  into  the  borders  of  the  land 
round  about. 

142  Now  they  durst  not  slay  them,  because  of  the  oath 
which  their  king  had  made  unto  Limhi;  but  they  would  smite 
them  on  their  cheeks,  and  exercise  authority  over  them;  and 
began  to  put  heavy  burdens  upon  their  backs,  and  drive  them 
as  they  would  a  dumb  ass;  yea,  all  this  was  done,  that  the 
word  of  the  Lord  might  be  fulfilled. 

143  And  now  the  afflictions  of  the  Nephites  were  great;  and 
there  was  no  way  that  they  could  deliver  themselves  out  of 
their  hands,  for  the  Lamanites  had  surrounded  them  on  every 
side. 

144  IfAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  people  began  to  murmur 


268  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap,  9. 

with  the  king,  because  of  their  afflictions;  and  they  began  to 
be  desirous  to  go  against  them  to  battle. 

145  And  they  did  afflict  the  king  sorely  with  their  com- 
plaints; therefore  he  granted  unto  them  that  they  should  do 
according  to  their  desires. 

146  And  they  gathered  themselves  together  again,  and  put 
on  their  armor,  and  went  forth  against  the  Lamanites,  to 
drive  them  out  of  their  land. 

147  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lamanites  did  beat  them, 
and  drove  them  back,  and  slew  many  of  them.  •  ^ 
i;(148  And  now  there  was  a  great  mourning  and  lamentation 
among  the  people  of  Limhi:  the  widow  mourning  for  her 
husband;  the  son  and  the  daughter  mourning  for  their  father; 
and  the  brothers  for  their  brethren. 

149  Now  there  were  a  great  many  widows  in  the  land;  and 
they  did  cry  mightily  from  day  to  day,  for  a  great  fear  of  the 
Lamanites  had  come  upon  them. 

150  And  it  came  to  pass  that  their  continual  cries  did  stir 
up  the  remainder  of  the  people  of  Limhi  to  anger,  against 
the  Lamanites. 

,  151  And  they  went  again  to  battle;  but  they  were  driven 
back  again,  suffering  much  loss. 

152  Yea,  they  went  again,  even  the  third  time,  and  suffered 
in  the  like  manner;  and  those  that  were  not  slaJn,  returned 
again  to  the  city  of  Nephi.      ,,  ,. 

153  And  they  did  humble  themselves  even  to  the  dust,  sub- 
jecting themselves  to  the  yoke  of  bondage,  submitting  them- 
selves to  be  smitten,  and  to  be  driven  to :  and  fro,  and  bur- 
dened, according  to  the  desir^^  of  t^ieir  enemies. 

,  ,  154  And  they  did  humble  themselves  even  in  the  depths  of 
humility;  and  they  did  cry  mightily  to  God;  yea,  even  all  the 
day  long  did  they  cry  unto  their  God,  that  he  would,  deliver 
tl;i,e^m  out  of  their  afflictions. 

15^  And  now  the  Lord  was  slow  to  hear  their  cry,  because 
01  their  iniquities; 

156  Nevertheless  the  Lord  did  hear  their  cries,  and  began 
tp  soften  the  hearts  of  the  Lamanites,  that  they  began  to  ease 


CHAP.  9.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  269 

their  burdens;  yet  the  Lord  did  not  see  fit  to  deliver  them 
out  of  bondage. 

157  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  began  to  prosper  by  de- 
grees in  the  land,  and  began  to  raise  grain  more  abundantly, 
and  flocks,  and  herds,  that  they  did  not  suffer  with  hunger. 

158  Now  there  was  a  great  number  of  women  more  than 
there  was  of  men;  therefore  King  Limhi  commanded  that 
every  man  should  impart  to  the  support  of  the  widows  and 
their  children,  that  they  might  not  perish  with  hunger;  and 
this  they  did,  because  of  the  greatness  of  their  number  that 
had  been  slain. 

159  Now  the  people  of  Limhi  kept  together  in  a  body  as 
much  as  it  was  possible,  and  secure  their  grain,  and  their 
flocks ; 

160  And  the  king  himself  did  not  trust  his  person  without 
the  walls  of  the  city,  unless  he  took  his  guards  with  him, 
fearing  that  he  might  by  some  means  fall  into  the  hands  of 
the   Lamanites. 

161  And  he  caused  that  his  people  should  watch  the  land 
round  about,  that  by  some  means  they  might  take  those 
priests  that  fled  into  the  wilderness,  who  had  stolen  the 
daughters  of  the  Lamanites,  and  that  had  caused  such  a 
great  destruction  to  come  upon  them; 

162  For  they  were  desirous  to  take  them,  that  they  might 
punish  them:  for  they  had  come  into  the  land  of  Nephi  by 
night,  and  carried  off  their  grain,  and  many  of  their  precious 
things;    therefore   they   laid   wait   for   them. 

163  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  there  was  no  more  disturb- 
ance between  the  Lamanites  and  the  people  of  Limhi,  even 
until  the  time  that  Ammon  and  his  brethren  came  into  the 
land. 

164  And  the  king  having  been  without  the  gates  of  the 
city  with  his  guard,  discovered  Ammon  and  his  brethren;  and 
supposing  them  to  be  priests  of  Noah,  therefore  he  caused 
that  they  should  be  taken,  and  bound,  and  cast  into  prison. 

165  And  had  they  been  the  priests  of  Noah,  he  would  have 
caused  that  they  should  be  put  to  death;  but  when  he  found 
that  they  were  not,  but  that  they  were  his  brethren,  and  had 


270  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  9. 

come  from  the  land  of  Zarahemla,  he  was  filled  with  exceed- 
ing great  joy. 

166  Now  King-  Limhi  had  sent,  previous  to  the  coming  of 
Ammon,  a  small  number  of  men  to  search  for  the  land  of 
Zarahemla;  but  they  could  not  find  it,  and  they  were  lost  in 
the  wilderness. 

167  Nevertheless  they  did  find  a  land  which  had  been  peo- 
pled; yea,  a  land  which  was  covered  with  dry  bones;  yea,  a 
land  which  had  been  peopled,  and  which  had  been  destroyed; 

168  And  they  having  supposed  it  to  be  the  land  of  Zara- 
hemla, returned  to  the  land  of  Nephi,  having  arrived  in  the 
borders  of  the  land  not  many  days  before  the  coming  of 
Ammon. 

169  And  they  brought  a  record  with  them,  even  a  record  of 
the  people  whose  bones  they  had  found;  and  they  were  en- 
graven on  plates  of  ore. 

170  And  now  Limhi  was  again  filled  with  joy,  on  learning 
from  the  mouth  of  Ammon  that  King  Mosiah  had  a  gift  from 
God,  whereby  he  could  interpret  such  engravings;  yea,  and 
Ammon  also  did  rejoice. 

171  Yet  Ammon  and  his  brethren  were  filled  with  sorrow, 
because  so  many  of  their  brethren  had  been  slain;  and  also 
that  King  Noah  and  his  priests  had  caused  the  people  to 
commit  so  many  sins  and  iniquities  against  God; 

172  And  they  also  did  mourn  for  the  death  of  Abinadi; 
and  also  for  the  departure'  of  Alma,  and  the  people  that  went 
with  him,  who  had  formed  a  church  of  God  through  the 
strength  and  power  of  God,  and  faith  on  the  words  which  had 
been  spoken  by  Abinadi; 

173  Yea,  they  did  mourn  for  their  departure,  for  they  knew 
not  whither  they  had  fled. 

174  Now  they  would  have  gladly  joined  with  them,  for  they 
themselves  had  entered  into  a  covenant  with  God,  to  serve 
him,  and  keep  his  commandments. 

175  And  now  since  the  coming  of  Ammon,  King  Limhi  had 
also  entered  into  a  covenant  with  God,  and  also  many  ol  his 
people,  to  serve  him,  and  keep  his  commandments. 

176  llAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  King  Limhi  and  many  of  his 


CHAP.  10.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  271 

people  were  desirous  to  be  baptized;  but  there  was  none  in 
the  land  that  had  authority  from  God. 

177  And  Ammon  declined  doing  this  thing,  considering 
himself  an  unworthy  servant;  therefore  they  did  not  at  that 
time  form  themselves  into  a  church,  waiting  upon  the  Spirit 
of  the  Lord. 

178  Now  they  were  desirous  to  become  even  as  Alma  and 
his  brethren,  who  had  fled  into  the  wilderness. 

179  They  were  desirous  to  be  baptized,  as  a  witness  and  a 
testimony  that  they  were  willing  to  serve  God  with  all  their 
hearts; 

180  Nevertheless  they  did  prolong  the  time;  and  an  ac-' 
count  of  their  baptism  shall  be  given  hereafter. 

181  And  now  all  the  study  of  Ammon  and  his  people,  and 
King  Limhi  and  his  people,  was  to  deliver  themselves  out  of 
the  hands  of  the  Lamanites  and  from  bondage. 


CHAPTER  10. 

1  IJAnd  now  it  came  to  pass  that  Ammon  and  King  Limhi 
began  to  consult  with  the  people  how  they  should  deliver 
themselves  out  of  bondage; 

2  And  even  they  did  cause  that  all  the  people  should  gather 
themselves  together;  and  this  they  did  that  they  might  have 
the  voice  of  the  people  concerning  the  matter. 

3  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  could  find  no  way  to  deliver 
themselves  out  of  bondage,  except  it  were  to  take  their  women 
and  children,  and  their  flocks  and  their  herds,  and  their  tents, 
and  depart  into  the  wilderness; 

4  For  the  Lamanites  being  so  numerous  that  it  was  im- 
possible for  the  people  of  Limhi  to  contend  with  them,  think- 
ing to  deliver  themselves  out  of  bondage  by  the  sword. 

5  IJNow  it  came  to  pass  that  Gideon  went  forth  and  stood 
before  the  king,  and  said  unto  him,  Now  0  king,  thou  hast 
hitherto  hearkened  unto  my  words  many  times  when  we  have 
been  contending  with  our  brethren,  tKe  Lamanites. 

6  And  now  0  king,  if  thou  hast  not  found  me  to  be  an 


272  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  10. 

unprofitable  servant,  or  if  thou  hast  hitherto  listened  to  my 
words  in  any  degree,  and  they  have  been  of  service  to  thee, 
even  so  I  desire  that  thou  wouldst  listen  to  my  words  at  this 
time,  and  I  will  be  thy  servant,  and  deliver  this  people  out  of 
bondage. 

7  And  the  king  granted  unto  him  that  he  might  speak. 

8  And  Gideon  said  unto  him.  Behold  the  back  pass  through 
the  back  wall,  on  the  back  side  of  the  city. 

9  The  Lamanites,  or  the  guards  of  the  Lamanites,  by  night, 
are  drunken;  therefore  let  us  send  a  proclamation  among  all 
this  people,  that  they  gather  together  their  flocks  and  herds, 
that  they  may  drive  them  into  the  wilderness  by  night. 

10  And  I  will  go  according  to  thy  command,  and  pay  the 
last  tribute  of  wine  to  the  Lamanites,  and  they  will  be 
drunken;  and  we  will  pass  through  the  secret  pass  on  the 
left  of  their  camp,  when  they  are  drunken  and  asleep; 

11  Thus  we  will  depart  with  our  women  and  our  children, 
our  flocks  and  our  herds,  into  the  wilderness;  and  we  will 
travel  around  the  land  of  Shilom. 

12  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  king  hearkened  unto  the 
words  of   Gideon. 

13  And  King  Limhi  caused  that  his  people  should  gather 
their  flocks  together;  and  he  sent  the  tribute  of  wine  to  the 
Lamanites;  and  he  also  sent  more  wine,  as  a  present  unto 
them;  and  they  did  drink  freely  of  the  wine  which  King 
Limhi  did  send  unto  them. 

14  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  people  of  King  Limhi  did 
depart  by  night  into  the  wilderness  with  their  flocks  and  their 
herds,  and  they  went  round  about  the  land  of  Shilom  in  the 
wilderness,  and  bent  their  course  towards  the  land  of  Zara- 
hemla,  being  led  by  Ammon  and  his  brethren. 

15  And  they  had  taken  all  their  gold,  and  silver,  and  their 
precious  things,  which  they  could  carry;  and  also  their  pro- 
visions with  them,  into  the  wilderness;  and  they  pursued 
their  journey. 

16  And  after  being  many  days  in  the  wilderness,  they  ar- 
rived in  the  land  of  Zarahemla,  and  joined  his  people,  and 
became  his  subjects. 


CHAP.  11.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  273 

17  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Mosiah  received  them  with 
joy;  and  he  also  received  their  records,  and  also  the  records 
which  had  been  found  by  the  people  of  Limhi. 

18  And  now  it  came  to  pass  when  the  Lamanites  had  found 
that  the  people  of  Limhi  had  departed  out  of  the  land  by 
night,  that  they  sent  an  army  into  the  wilderness  to  pursue 
them; 

19  And  after  they  had  pursued  them  two  days,  they  could 
no  longer  follow  their  tracks;  therefore  they  were  lost  in  the 
wilderness. 


CHAPTER  11. 

An  account  of  Alma  and  the  people  of  the  Lord,  who  were 
driven  into  the  wilderness  by  the  people  of  King  Noah. 

1  ^Now  Alma,  having  been  warned  of  the  Lord  that  the 
armies  of  King  Noah  would  come  upon  them,  and  had  made 
it  known  to  his  people,  therefore  they  gathered  together  their 
flocks,  and  took  of  their  grain,  and  departed  into  the  wilder- 
ness before  the  armies  of  King  Noah. 

2  And  the  Lord  did  strengthen  them,  that  the  people  of 
King  Noah  could  not  overtake  them,  to  destroy  them. 

3  And  they  fled  eight  days'  journey  into  the  wilderness. 

4  And  they  came  to  a  land,  yea,  even  a  very  beautiful  and 
pleasant  land;  a  land  of  pure  water. 

5  And  they  pitched  their  tents,  and  began  to  till  the  ground, 
and  began  to  build  buildings,  etc.;  yea,  they  were  industrious, 
and  did  labor  exceedingly. 

6  And  the  people  were  desirous  that  Alma  should  be  their 
king,  for  he  was  beloved  by  his  people. 

7  But  he  said  unto  them,  Behold,  it  is  not  expedient  that 
we  should  have  a  king;  for  thus  saith  the  Lord:  Ye  shall 
not  esteem  one  flesh  above  another,  or  one  man  shall  not 
think  himself  above  another;  therefore  I  say  unto  you,  It  is 
not  expedient  that  ye  should  have  a  king. 

8  Nevertheless,  if  it  were  possible  that  ye  could  always 
have  just  men  to  be  your  kings,  it  would  be  well  for  you  to 
have  a  king. 


274  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.   11. 

9  But  remember  the  iniquity  of  King  Noah  and  his  priests; 
and  I  myself  was  caught  in  a  snare,  and  did  many  things 
which  were  abominable  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord,  which 
caused  me  sore  repentance; 

10  Nevertheless,  after  much  tribulation,  the  Lord  did  hear 
my  cries,  and  did  answer  my  prayers,  and  has  made  me  an 
instrument  in  his  hands,  in  bringing  so  many  of  you  to  a 
knowledge  of  his  truth. 

11  Nevertheless,  in  this  I  do  not  glory,  for  I  am  unworthy 
to  glory  of  myself. 

12  And  now  I  say  unto  you,  ye  have  been  oppressed  by  King 
Noah,  and  have  been  in  bondage  to  him  and  his  priests,  and 
have  been  brought  into  iniquity  by  them;  therefore  ye  were 
bound  with  the  bands  of  iniquity. 

13  And  now  as  ye  have  been  delivered,  by  the  power  of 
God,  out  of  these  bonds; 

14  Yea,  even  out  of  the  hands  of  King  Noah  and  his  peo- 
ple, and  also  from  the  bonds  of  iniquity,  even  so  I  desire  that 
ye  should  stand  fast  in  this  liberty  wherewith  ye  have  been 
made  free,  and  that  ye  trust  no  man  to  be  a  king  over  you; 

15  And  also  trusting  no  one  to  be  your  teacher  nor  your 
minister,  except  he  be  a  man  of  God,  walking  in  his  ways  and 
keeping  his  commandments. 

16  Thus  did  Alma  teach  his  people,  that  every  man  should 
love  his  neighbor  as  himself;  that  there  should  be  no  conten- 
tion among  them. 

17  And  now  Alma  was  their  high  priest,  he  being  the 
founder  of  their  church. 

18  And  it  came  to  pass  that  none  received  authority  to 
preach  or  to  teach,  except  it  were  by  him  from  God. 

19  Therefore  he  consecrated  all  their  priests,  and  all  theii' 
teachers,  and  none  were  consecrated  except  they  were  just 
men. 

20  Therefore  they  did  watch  over  their  people,  and  did 
nourish  them  with  things  pertaining  to  righteousness. 

21  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  began  to  prosper  exceed- 
ingly in  the  land;  and  they  called  the  land  Helam. 

22  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  multiply  and  prosper 


CHAP.  11.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  275 

exceedingly   in   the  land  of   Helam;   and   they  built   a   city, 
which  they  called  the  city  of   Helam. 

23  Nevertheless  the  Lord  seeth  fit  to  chasten  his  people; 
yea,  he  trieth  their  patience  and  their  faith. 

24  Nevertheless,  whosoever  putteth  his  trust  in  him,  the 
same  shall  be  lifted  up  at  the  last  day. 

25  Yea,  and  thus  it  was  with  this  people. 

26  For  behold,  I  will  shew  unto  you  that  they  were  brought 
into  bondage,  and  none  could  deliver  them  but  the  Lord  their 
God;  yea,  even  the  God  of  Abraham,  and  of  Isaac,  and  of 
Jacob. 

27  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  did  deliver  them,  and  he 
did  shew  forth  his  mighty  power  unto  them,  and  great  were 
their  rejoicings. 

28  For  behold,  it  came  to  pass  that  while  they  were  in  the 
land  of  Helam,  yea,  in  the  city  of  Helam,  while  tilling  the 
land  round  about,  behold  an  army  of  the  Lamanites  were  in 
the  borders  of  the  land. 

29  Now  it  came  to  pass  that  the  brethren  of  Alma  fled 
from  their  fields,  and  gathered  themselves  together  into  the 
city -of  Helam;  and  they  were  much  frightened  because  of  the 
appearance  of  the  Lamanites. 

30  But  Alma  went  forth  and  stood  among  them,  and  ex- 
horted them  that  they  should  not  be  frightened,  but  that  they 
should  remember  the  Lord  their  God,  and  he  would  deliver 
them; 

31  Therefore  they  hushed  their  fears,  and  began  to  cry 
unto  the  Lord,  that  he  would  soften  the  hearts  of  the  Laman- 
ites, that  they  would  spare  them,  and  their  wives,  and  their 
children. 

32  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  did  soften  the  hearts 
of  the  Lamanites. 

33  And  Alma  and  his  brethren  went  forth  and  delivered 
themselves  up  into  their  hands;  and  the  Lamanites  took  pos- 
session of  the  land  of  Helam. 

34  Now  the  armies  of  the  Lamanites  which  had  followed 
after  the  people  of  King  Limhi,  had  been  lost  in  the  wilder- 
ness for  many  days. 


276  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  11. 

35  And  behold,  they  had  found  those  priests  of  King  Noah, 
in  a  place  which  they  called  Amulon;  and  they  had  began  to 
possess  the  land  of  Amulon,  and  had  began  to  till  the  ground. 

36  Now  the  name  of  the  leader  of  those  priests  was 
Amulon. 

37  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Amulon  did  plead  with  the 
Lamanites;  and  he  also  sent  forth  their  wives,  who  were  the 
daughters  of  the  Lamanites,  to  plead  with  their  brethren, 
that  they  should  not  destroy  their  husbands. 

38  And  the  Lamanites  had  compassion  on  Amulon  and  his 
brethren,  and  did  not  destroy  them,  because  of  their  wives. 

39  And  Amulon  and  his  brethren  did  join  the  Lamanites, 
and  they  were  traveling  in  the  wilderness  in  search  of  the 
land  of  Nephi,  when  they  discovered  the  land  of  Helam,  which 
was  possessed  by  Alma  and  his  brethren. 

40  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lamanites  promised  unto 
Alma  and  his  brethren,  that  if  they  would  shew  them  the  way 
which  led  to  the  land  of  Nephi,  that  they  would  grant  unto 
them  their  lives  and  their  liberty. 

41  But  after  Alma  had  shewn  them  the  way  that  led  to 
the  land  of  Nephi,  the  Lamanites  would  not  keep  their  prom- 
ise; but  they  set  guards  round  about  the  land  of  Helam,  over 
Alma  and  his  brethren. 

42  And  the  remainder  of  them  went  to  the  land  of  Nephi; 
and  a  part  of  them  returned  to  the  land  of  Helam,  and  also 
brought  with  them  the  wives  and  the  children  of  the  guards 
who  had  been  left  in  the  land. 

43  And  the  king  of  the  Lamanites  had  granted  unto  Amu- 
lon that  he  should  be  a  king  and  a  ruler  over  his  people,  who 
were  in  the  land  of  Helam;  nevertheless  he  should  have  no 
power  to  do  anything  contrary  to  the  will  of  the  king  of  the 
Lamanites. 

44  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  Amulon  did  gain  favor  in  the 
eyes  of  the  king  of  the  Lamanites;  therefore  the  king  of  the 
Lamanites  granted  unto  him  and  his  brethren,  that  they 
should  be  appointed  teachers  over  his  people; 

45  Yea,  even  over  the  people  who  were  in  the  land  of  Shem- 
lon,  and  in  the  land  of  Shilom,  and  in  the  land  of  Amulon: 


CHAP.  11.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  277 

46  For  the  Lamanites  had  taken  possession  of  all  these 
lands;  therefore  the  king  of  the  Lamanites  had  appointed 
kings  over  all  these  lands. 

47  And  now  the  name  of  the  king  of  the  Lamanites  was 
Laman,  being  called  after  the  name  of  his  father;  and  there- 
fore he  was  called  King  Laman. 

48  And  he  was  king  over  a  numerous  people;  and  he  ap- 
pointed teachers  of  the  brethren  of  Amnion,  in  every  land 
which  was  possessed  by  his  people; 

49  And  thus  the  language  of  Nephi  began  to  be  taught 
among  all  the  people  of  the  Lamanites. 

50  And  they  were  a  people  friendly  one  with  another; 
nevertheless  they  knew  not  God;  neither  did  the  brethren  of 
Amnion  teach  them  anything  concerning  the  Lord  their  God, 
neither  the  law  of  Moses; 

51  Nor  did  they  teach  them  the  words  of  Abinadi;  but  they 
taught  them  that  they  should  keep  their  record,  and  that  they 
might  write  one  to  another. 

52  And  thus  the  Lamanites  began  to  increase  in  riches,  and 
began  to  trade  one  with  another,  and  wax  great,  and  began 
to  be  a  cunning  and  a  wise  people,  as  to  the  wisdom  of  the 
world ; 

•  53  Yea,  a  very  cunning  people;  delighting  in  all  manner 
of  wickedness  and  plunder  except  it  were  among  their  own 
brethren. 

54  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  Amnion  began  to  exercise 
authority  over  Alma  and  his  brethren,  and  began  to  perse- 
cute him,  and  cause  that  his  children  should  persecute  their 
children : 

55  For  Amnion  knew  Alma,  that  he  had  been  one  of  the 
king's  priests,  and  that  it  was  he  that  believed  the  words  of 
Abinadi,  and  was  driven  out  before  the  king;  and  therefore 
he  was  wroth  with  him,  for  he  was  subject  to  King  Laman; 

56  Yet  he  exercised  authority  over  them,  and  put  tasks 
upon  them,  and  put  task-masters  over  them. 

57  And  it  came  to  pass  that  so  great  were  their  afflictions, 
that  they  began  to  cry  mightily  to  God. 

58  And   Amnion   commanded  them   that   they   should    stop 


278  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  11. 

their  cries;  and  he  put  guards  over  them  to  watch  them,  that 
whosoever  should  be  found  calling  upon  God,  should  be  put 
to  death. 

59  And  Alma  and  his  people  did  not  raise  their  voices  to 
the  Lord  their  God,  but  did  pour  out  their  hearts  to  him; 
and  he  did  know  the  thoughts  of  their  hearts. 

60  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  voice  of  the  Lord  came 
to  them  in  their  afflictions,  saying.  Lift  up  your  heads  and 
be  of  good  comfort,  for  I  know  of  the  covenant  which  ye 
have  made  unto  me;  and  I  will  covenant  with  this  my  peo- 
ple, and  deliver  them  out  of  bondage. 

61  And  I  will  also  ease  the  burdens  which  are  put  upon 
your  shoulders,  that  even  you  can  not  feel  them  upon  your 
backs,  even  while  you  are  in  bondage; 

62  And  this  will  I  do,  that  ye  may  stand  as  witnesses  for 
me  hereafter,  and  that  ye  may  know  of  a  surety  that  I,  the 
Lord  God,  do  visit  my  people  in  their  afflictions. 

63  And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  the  burdens  which  were 
laid  upon  Alma  and  his  brethren,  were  made  light; 

64  Yea,  the  Lord  did  strengthen  them  that  they  could  bear 
up  their  burdens  with  ease,  and  they  did  submit  cheerfully 
and  with  patience  to  all  the  will  of  the  Lord. 

65  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  so  great  was  their  faith  and 
their  patience,  that  the  voice  of  the  Lord  came  unto  them 
again,  saying.  Be  of  good  comfort,  for  on  the  morrow  I  will 
deliver  you  out  of  bondage. 

66  And  he  said  unto  Alma,  Thou  shalt  go  before  this  peo- 
ple, and  I  will  go  with  thee,  and  deliver  this  people  out  of 
bondage. 

67  ^Now  it  came  to  pass  that  Alma  and  his  people  in  the 
night  time,  gathered  their  flocks  together,  and  also  of  their 
grain;  yea,  even  all  the  night  time  were  they  gathering  their 
flocks  together. 

68  And  in  the  morning  the  Lord  caused  a  deep  sleep  to 
come  upon  the  Lamanites,  yea,  and  all  their  task-masters 
were  in  a  profound  sleep. 

69  And  Alma  and  his  people  departed  into  the  wilderness; 
and  when  they  had  traveled  all  day,  they  pitched  their  tents 


CHAP.  11.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  279 

in  a  valley,  and  they  called  the  valley  Alma,  because  he  led 
their  way  in  the  wilderness; 

70  Yea,  and  in  the  valley  of  Alma  they  poured  out  their 
thanks  to  God  because  he  had  been  merciful  unto  them,  and 
eased  their  burdens,  and  had  delivered  them  out  of  bondage; 

71  For  they  were  in  bondage,  and  none  could  deliver  them, 
except  it  were  the  Lord  their  God. 

72  And  they  gave  thanks  to  God,  yea,  all  their  men,  and 
all  their  women,  and  all  their  children,  that  could  speak, 
lifted  their  voices  in  the  praises  of  their  God. 

73  ^And  now  the  Lord  said  unto  Alma,  Haste  thee  and  get 
thou  and  this  people  out  of  this  land,  for  the  Lamanites  have 
awoke  and  do  pursue  thee; 

74  Therefore  get  thee  out  of  this  land,  and  I  will  stop  the 
Lamanites  in  this  valley,  that  they  come  no  further  in  pur- 
suit of  this  people. 

75  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  departed  out  of  the  valley, 
and  took  their  journey  into  the  wilderness. 

76  And  after  they  had  been  in  the  wilderness  twelve  days, 
they  arrived  to  the  land  of  Zarahemla;  and  King  Mosiah  did 
also  receive  them  with  joy. 

77  And  now  King  Mosiah  caused  that  all  the  people  should 
be  gathered  together. 

78  Now  there  were  not  so  many  of  the  children  of  Nephi, 
or  so  many  of  those  who  were  descendants  of  Nephi,  as  there 
were  of  the  people  of  Zarahemla,  who  was  a  descendant  of 
Mulok,  and  those  who  came  with  him  into  the  wilderness; 

79  And  there  were  not  so  many  of  the  people  of  Nephi  and 
of  the  people  of  Zarahemla  as  there  were  of  the  Lamanites: 
yea,  they  were  not  half  so  numerous. 

•  80  And  now  all  the  people  of  Nephi  were  assembled  to- 
gether, and  also  all  the  people  of  Zarahemla,  and  they  were 
gathered  together  in  two  bodies. 

81  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Mosiah  did  read,  and  caused 
to  be  read,  the  records  of  Zeniff  to  his  people;  yea,  he  read 
the  records  of  the  people  of  Zeniff,  from  the  time  they  left 
the  land  of  Zarahemla  until  they  returned  again. 

82  And  he  also  read  the  account  of  Alma  and  his  brethren, 


280  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  11. 

and  all  their  afflictions,  from  the  time  they  left  the  land  of 
Zarahemla,  until  the  time  they  returned  again. 

83  And  now  when  Mosiah  had  made  an  end  of  reading  the 
records,  his  people  who  tarried  in  the  land  were  struck  with 
wonder  and  amazement,  for  they  knew  not  what  to  think; 

84  For  when  they  beheld  those  that  had  been  delivered  out 
of  bondage,  they  were  filled  with  exceeding  great  joy. 

85  And  again,  when  they  thought  of  their  brethren  who 
had  been  slain  by  the  Lamanites,  they  were  filled  with  sor- 
row, and  even  shed  many  tears  of  sorrow; 

86  And  again,  when  they  thought  of  the  immediate  good- 
ness of  God,  and  his  power  in  delivering  Alma  and  his  breth- 
ren out  of  the  hands  of  the  Lamanites,  and  of  bondage,  they 
did  raise  their  voices,  and  give  thanks  to  God. 

87  And  again,  when  they  thought  upon  the  Lamanites,  who 
were  their  brethren,  of  their  sinful  and  polluted  state,  they 
were  filled  with  pain  and  anguish,  for  the  welfare  of  their 
souls. 

88  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  those  who  were  the  children 
of  Amnion  and  his  brethren,  who  had  taken  to  wife  the 
daughters  of  the  Lamanites,  were  displeased  with  the  conduct 
of  their  fathers, 

89  And  they  would  no  longer  be  called  by  the  names  of 
their  fathers,  therefore  they  took  upon  themselves  the  name 
of  Nephi,  that  they  might  be  called  the  children  of  Nephi, 
and  be  numbered  among  those  who  were  called  Nephites. 

90  And  now  all  the  people  of  Zarahemla  were  numbered 
with  the  Nephites,  and  this  because  the  kingdom  had  been 
conferred  upon  none  but  those  who  were  descendants  of 
Nephi. 

91  TJAnd  now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Mosiah  had  made 
an  end  of  speaking  and  reading  to  the  people,  he  desired  that 
Alma  should  also  speak  to  the  people. 

92  And  Alma  did  speak  unto  them,  when  they  were  assem- 
bled together  in  large  bodies,  and  he  went  from  one  body  to 
another  preaching  unto  the  people  repentance  and  faith  on 
the  Lord. 

93  And  he  did  exhort  the  people  of  Limhi  and  his  brethren. 


CHAP.  11.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  281 

all  those  that  had  been  delivered  out  of  bondage,  that  they 
should  remember  that  it  was  the  Lord  that  did  deliver  them. 

94  And  it  came  to  pass  that  after  Alma  had  taught  the 
people  many  things,  and  had  made  an  end  of  speaking  to 
them,  that  King  Limhi  was  desirous  that  he  might  be  bap- 
tized; and  all  his  people  were  desirous  that  they  might  be 
baptized  also. 

95  Therefore  Alma  did  go  forth  into  the  water,  and  did 
baptize  them;  yea,  he  did  baptize  them  after  the  manner  he 
did  his  brethren  in  the  waters  of  Mormon; 

96  Yea,  and  as  many  as  he  did  baptize  did  belong  to  the 
church  of  God;  and  this  because  of  their  belief  on  the  words 
of  Alma. 

97  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  King  Mosiah  granted  unto 
Alma,  that  he  might  establish  churches  throughout  all  the 
land  of  Zarahemla;  and  gave  him  power  to  ordain  priests 
and  teachers  over  every  church. 

98  Now  this  was  done  because  there  were  so  many  people 
that  they  could  not  all  be  governed  by  one  teacher;  neither 
could  th^y  all  hear  the  word  of  God  in  one  assembly;  there- 
fore they  did  assemble  themselves  together  in  different  bodies, 
being  called  churches; 

99  Every  church  having  their  priests  and  their  teachers, 
and  every  priest  preaching  the  word  according  as  it  was  de- 
livered to  him  by  the  mouth  of  Alma; 

100  And  thus,  notwithstanding  there  being  many  churches 
they  were  all  one  church;  yea,  even  the  church  of  God: 

101  For  there  was  nothing  preached  in  all  the  churches 
except  it  were  repentance  and  faith  in  God. 

102  And  now  there  were  seven  churches  in  the  land  of 
Zarahemla. 

103  And  it  came  to  pass  that  whosoever  were  desirous  to 
take  upon  them  the  name  of  Christ,  or  of  God,  they  did  join 
the  churches  of  God;  and  they  were  called  the  people  of  God. 

104  And  the  Lord  did  pour  out  his  Spirit  upon  them,  and 
they  were  blessed,  and  prospered  in  the  land. 

105  ^Now  it  came  to  pass  that  there  were -many  of  the  ris- 
ing generation  that  could  not  understand  the  words  of  King 


282  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  11. 

Benjamin,  being  little  children  at  the  time  he  spake  unto  his 
people;  and  they  did  not  believe  the  tradition  of  their  fathers. 

106  They  did  not  believe  what  had  been  said  concerning 
the  resurrection  of  the  dead;  neither  did  they  believe  con- 
cerning the  coming  of  Christ. 

107  And  now  because  of  their  unbelief,  they  could  not 
understand  the  word  of  God;  and  their  hearts  were  hardened. 

108  And  they  would  not  be  baptized;  neither  would  they 
join  the  church. 

109  And  they  were  a  separate  people  as  to  their  faith,  and 
remained  so  ever  after,  even  in  their  carnal  and  sinful  state; 
for  they  would  not  call  upon  the  Lord  their  God. 

110  And  now  in  the  reign  of  Mosiah,  they  were  not  half  so 
numerous  as  the  people  of  God;  but  because  of  the  dissen- 
sions among  the  brethren,  they  became  more  numerous. 

111  For  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  deceive  many  with 
their  flattering  words,  who  were  in  the  church,  and  did  cause 
them  to  commit  many  sins; 

112  Therefore  it  became  expedient  that  those  who  com- 
mitted sin  that  were  in  the  church,  should  be  admonished  by 
the  church. 

113  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  were  brought  before 
the  priests,  and  delivered  up  unto  the  priests  by  the  teachers; 
and  the  priests  brought  them  before  Alma,  who  was  the  high 
priest. 

114  Now  King  Mosiah  had  given  Alma  the  authority  over 
the  church. 

115  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Alma  did  not  know  concern- 
ing them,  for  there  were  many  witnesses  against  them;  yea, 
the  people  stood  and  testified  of  their  iniquity  in  abundance. 

116  Now  there  had  not  any  such  thing  happened  before,  in 
the  church;  therefore  Alma  was  troubled  in  his  spirit,  and  he 
caused  that  they  should  be  brought  before  the  king. 

117  And  he  said  unto  the  king.  Behold,  here  are  many 
whom  we  have  brought  before  thee,  who  are  accused  of  their 
brethren;  yea,  and  they  have  been  taken  in  divers  iniquities. 

118  And  they  do  not  repent  of  their  iniquities;  therefore 


CHAP.  11.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  283 

we  have  brought  them  before  thee,  that  thou  mayest  judge 
them  according  to  their  crimes. 

119  But  King  Mosiah  said  unto  Alma,  Behold,  I  judge 
them  not;  therefore  I  deliver  them  into  thy  hands  to  be 
judged. 

120  And  now  the  spirit  of  Alma  was  again  troubled;  and 
he  went  and  inquired  of  the  Lord  what  he  should  do  concern- 
ing this  matter,  for  he  feared  that  he  should  do  wrong  in  the 
sight  of  God. 

121  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  after  he  had  poured  out  his 
whole  soul  to  God,  the  voice  of  the  Lord  came  to  him,  saying. 
Blessed  art  thou.  Alma,  and  blessed  are  they  who  were  bap- 
tized in  the  waters  of  Mormon. 

122  Thou  art  blessed  because  of  thy  exceeding  faith  in  the 
words  alone  of  my  servant,  Abinadi. 

123  And  blessed  are  they  because  of  their  exceeding  faith 
in  the  words  alone  which  thou  hast  spoken  unto  them. 

124  And  blessed  art  thou  because  thou  hast  established  a 
church  among  this  people;  and  they  shall  be  established,  and 
they  shall  be  my  people. 

125  Yea,  blessed  is  this  people,  who  are  willing  to  bear  my 
name;  for  in  my  name  shall  they  be  called;  and  they  are  mine. 

126  And  because  thou  hast  inquired  of  me  concerning  the 
transgressor,  thou  art  blessed. 

127  Thou  art  my  servant:  and  I  covenant  with  thee,  that 
thou  shalt  have  eternal  life;  and  thou  shalt  serve  me,  and  go 
forth  in  my  name,  and  shall  gather  together  my  sheep. 

128  And  he  that  will  hear  my  voice,  shall  be  my  sheep; 
and  him  shall  ye  receive  into  the  church;  and  him  will  I  also 
receive. 

129  For  behold,  this  is  my  church:  whosoever  is  baptized, 
shall  be  baptized  unto  repentance. 

130  And  whosoever  ye  receive,  shall  believe  in  my  name; 
and  him  will  I  freely  forgive: 

131  For  it  is  I  that  taketh  upon  me  the  sins  of  the  world; 
for  it  is  I  that  hath  created  them;  and  it  is  I  that  granteth 
unto  him  that  believeth  in  the  end,  a  place  at  my  right  hand. 

132  For  behold,  in  my  name  are  they  called;  and  if  they 


!284  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.   11. 

know  me,  they  shall  come  forth,  and  shall  have  a  place  eter- 
nally at  my  right  hand. 

133  And  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  when  the  second  trump 
shall  sound,  then  shall  they  that  never  knew  me  come  forth, 
and  shall  stand  before  me; 

134  And  then  shall  they  know  that  I  am  the  Lord  their 
God,  that  I  am  their  Redeemer;  but  they  would  not  be  re- 
deemed. 

135  And  then  will  I  confess  unto  them,  that  I  never  knew 
them;  and  they  shall  depart  into  everlasting  fire,  prepared 
for  the  devil  and  his  angels. 

136  Therefore  I  say  unto  you,  that  he  that  will  not  hear 
my  voice,  the  same  shall  ye  not  receive  into  my  church,  for 
him  I  will  not  receive  at  the  last  day: 

137  Therefore  I  say  unto  you.  Go;  and  whosoever  trans- 
gresseth  against  me,  him  shall  ye  judge  according  to  the  sins 
which  he  has  committed; 

138  And  if  he  confess  his  sins  before  thee  and  me,  and 
repenteth  in  the  sincerity  of  his  heart,  him  shall  ye  forgive, 
and  I  will  forgive  him  also; 

139  Yea,  and  as  often  as  my  people  repent,  will  I  forgive 
them  their  trespasses  against  me. 

140  And  ye  shall  also  forgive  one  another  your  trespasses: 
for  verily  I  say  unto  you.  He  that  forgiveth  not  his  neighbor's 
trespasses,  when  he  says  that  he  repents,  the  same  hath 
brought  himself  under  condemnation. 

141  Now  I  say  unto  you.  Go;  and  whosoever  will  not  repent 
of  his  sins,  the  same  shall  not  be  numbered  among  my  peo- 
ple: and  this  shall  be  observed  from  this  time  forward. 

142  ^And  it  came  to  pass  when  Alma  had  heard  these 
words,  he  wrote  them  down,  that  he  might  have  them,  and 
that  he  might  judge  the  people  of  that  church,  according  to 
the  commandments  of  God. 

143  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Alma  went  and  judged  those 
that  had  been  taken  in  iniquity,  according  to  the  word  of  the 
Lord. 

144  And  whosoever  repented  of  their  sins  and  did  confess 
them,  them  he  did  number  among  the  people  of  the  church; 


CHAP.  11.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  285 

145  And  those  that  would  not  confess  their  sins  and  repent 
of  their  iniquity,  the  same  were  not  numbered  among  the  peo- 
ple of  the  church,  and  their  names  were  blotted  out. 

146  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Alma  did  regulate  all  the 
affairs  of  the  church; 

147  And  they  began  again  to  have  peace  and  to  prosper 
exceedingly  in  the  affairs  of  the  church;  walking  circum- 
spectly before  God;  receiving  many,  and  baptizing  many. 

148  And  now  all  these  things  did  Alma  and  his  fellow  la- 
borers do,  who  were  over  the  church;  walking  in  all  diligence; 
teaching  the  word  of  God  in  all  things,  suffering  all  manner 
of  afflictions;  being  persecuted  by  all  those  who  did  not  be- 
long to  the  church  of  God. 

149  And  they  did  admonish  their  brethren;  and  they  were 
also  admonished,  every  one,  by  the  word  of  God,  according  to 
his  sins,  or  to  the  sins  which  he  had  committed;  being  com- 
manded of  God  to  pray  without  ceasing,  and  to  give  thanks 
in  all  things. 

150  And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  the  persecutions  which 
were  inflicted  on  the  church  by  the  unbelievers,  became  so 
great,  that  the  church  began  to  murmur,  and  complain  to 
their  leaders  concerning  the  matter;  and  they  did  complain 
to  Alma. 

151  And  Alma  laid  the  case  before  their  King  Mosiah. 
And  Mosiah  consulted  with  his  priests. 

152  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  King  Mosiah  sent  a  proc- 
lamation throughout  the  land  round  about,  that  there  should 
not  any  unbeliever  persecute  any  of  those  who  belonged  to  the 
church  of  God: 

153  And  there  was  a  strict  command  throughout  all  the 
churches,  that  there  should  be  no  persecutions  among  them, 
that  there  should  be  an  equality  among  all  men;  that  they 
should  let  no  pride  nor  haughtiness  disturb  their  peace; 

154  That  every  man  should  esteem  his  neighbor  as  himself, 
laboring  with  theii*  own  hands  for  their  support; 

155  Yea,  and  all  their  priests  and  teachers  should  labor 
with  their  own  hands  for  their  support,  in  all  cases  save  it 


286  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  11. 

were  in  sickness,  or  in  much  want:  and  doing  these  things 
they  did  abound  in  the  grace  of  God. 

156  And  there  began  to  be  much  peace  again  in  the  land; 
and  the  people  began  to  be  very  numerous,  and  began  to 
scatter  abroad  upon  the  face  of  the  earth; 

157  Yea,  on  the  north  and  on  the  south,  on  the  east  and  on 
the  west,  building  large  cities  and  villages  in  all  quarters  of 
the  land. 

158  And  the  Lord  did  visit  them,  and  prosper  them,  and 
they  became  a  large  and  a  wealthy  people. 

159  TJNow  the  sons  of  Mosiah  were  numbered  among  the 
unbelievers;  and  also  one  of  the  sons  of  Alma  was  numbered 
among  them,  he  being  called  Alma,  after  his  father;  never- 
theless he  became  a  very  wicked  and  an  idolatrous  man. 

160  And  he  was  a  man  of  many  words,  and  did  speak  much 
flattery  to  the  people:  therefore  he  led  many  of  the  people  to 
do  after  the  manner  of  his  iniquities. 

161  And  he  became  a  great  hinderment  to  the  prosperity  of 
the  church  of  God;  stealing  away  the  hearts  of  the  people, 
causing  much  dissension  among  the  people;  giving  a  chance 
for  the  enemy  of  God  to  exercise  his  power  over  them. 

162  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  while  he  was  going 
about  to  destroy  the  church  of  God:  for  he  did  go  about 
secretly  with  the  sons  of  Mosiah,  seeking  to  destroy  the 
church,  and  to  lead  astray  the  people  of  the  Lord,  contrary 
to  the  commandments  of  God,  or  even  the  king; 

163  And  as  I  said  unto  you,  as  they  were  going  about  re- 
belling against  God,  behold,  the  angel  of  the  Lord  appeared 
unto  them;  and  he  descended  as  it  were  in  a  cloud;  and  he 
spake  as  it  were  with  a  voice  of  thunder,  which  caused  the 
earth  to  shake  upon  which  they  stood; 

164  And  so  great  was  their  astonishment,  that  they  fell  to 
the  earth,  and  understood  not  the  words  which  he  spake  unto 
them. 

165  Nevertheless .  he  cried  again,  saying,  Alma,  arise,  and 
stand  forth,  for  why  persecuteth  thou  the  church  of  God? 

166  For  the  Lord  hath  said,  This  is  my  church,  and  I  will 


CHAP.  11.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  287 

establish  it;   and  nothing  shall  overthrow  it,  save  it  is  the 
transgression  of  my  people. 

167  And  again,  the  angel  said,  Behold,  the  Lord  hath  heard 
the  prayers  of  his  people,  and  also  the  prayers  of  his  servant 
Alma,  who  is  thy  father: 

168  For  he  has  prayed  with  much  faith  concerning  thee, 
that  thou  mightest  be  brought  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth; 

169  Therefore  for  this  purpose  have  I  come  to  convince 
thee  of  the  power  and  authority  of  God,  that  the  prayers  of 
his  servants  might  be  answered  according  to  their  faith. 

170  And  now  behold,  can  ye  dispute  the  power  of  God? 

171  For  behold,  doth  not  my  voice  shake  the  earth? 

172  And  can  ye  not  also  behold  me  before  you? 

173  And  I  am  sent  from  God. 

174  Now  I  say  unto  thee.  Go,  and  remember  the  captivity 
of  thy  fathers  in  the  land  of  Helam,  and  in  the  land  of  Nephi ; 
and  remember  how  great  things  he  has  done  for  them:  for 
they  were  in  bondage,  and  he  has  delivered  them. 

175  And  now  I  say  unto  thee,  Alma,  go  thy  way,  and  seek 
to  destroy  the  church  no  more,  that  their  prayers  may  be 
answered;  and  this  even  if  thou  wilt  of  thyself  be  cast  off. 

176  TJAnd  now  it  came  to  pass  that  these  were  the  last 
words  which  the  angel  spake  unto  Alma,  and  he  departed. 

177  And  now  Alma,  and  those  that  were  with  him,  fell 
again  to  the  earth,  for  great  was  their  astonishment ;  for  with 
their  own  eyes  they  had  beheld  an  angel  of  the  Lord;  and  his 
voice  was  as  thunder,  which  shook  the  earth; 

178  And  they  knew  that  there  was  nothing  save  the  power 
of  God,  that  could  shake  the  earth  and  cause  it  to  tremble,  as 
though  it  would  part  asunder. 

179  And  now  the  astonishment  of  Alma  was  so  great,  that 
he  became  dumb,  that  he  could  not  open  his  mouth;  yea,  and 
he  became  weak,  even  that  he  could  not  move  his  hands: 

180  Therefore  he  was  taken  by  those  that  were  with  him, 
and  carried  helpless,  even  until  he  was  laid  before  his  father. 

181  And  they  rehearsed  unto  his  father  all  that  had  hap- 
pened unto  them;  and  his  father  rejoiced,  for  he  knew  that 
it  was  the  power  of  God. 


288  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  11. 

182  And  he  caused  that  a  multitude  should  be  gathered 
together,  that  they  might  witness  what  the  Lord  had  done  for 
his  son,  and  also  for  those  that  were  with  him. 

183  And  he  caused  that  the  priests  should  assemble  them- 
selves together;  and  they  began  to  fast,  and  to  pray  to  the 
Lord  their  God,  that  he  would  open  the  mouth  of  Alma,  that 
he  might  speak; 

184  And  also  that  his  limbs  might  receive  their  strength, 
that  the  eyes  of  the  people  might  be  opened  to  see  and  know 
of  the  goodness  and  glory  of  God. 

185  ^And  it  came  to  pass  after  they  had  fasted  and  prayed 
for  the  space  of  two  days  and  two  nights,  the  limbs  of  Alma 
received  their  strength,  and  he  stood  up  and  began  to  speak 
unto  them,  bidding  them  to  be  of  good  comfort: 

186  For,  said  he,  I  have  repented  of  my  sins,  and  have 
been  redeemed  of  the  Lord;  behold,  I  am  born  of  the  Spirit. 

187  And  the  Lord  said  unto  me.  Marvel  not  that  all  man- 
kind, yea,  men,  and  women,  all  nations,  kindreds,  tongues 
and  people,  must  be  born  again; 

188  Yea,  born  of  God,  changed  from  their  carnal  and 
fallen  state,  to  a  state  of  righteousness,  being  redeemed  of 
God,  becoming  his  sons  and  daughters;  and  thus  they  be- 
come new  creatures;  and  unless  they  do  this,  they  can  in 
no  wise  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God. 

189  I  say  unto  you.  Unless  this  be  the  case,  they  must  be 
cast  off;  and  this  I  know,  because  I  was  like  to  be  cast  off. 

190  Nevertheless,  after  wading  thi-ough  much  tribulation, 
repenting  nigh  unto  death,  the  Lord  in  mercy  hath  seen  fit 
to  snatch  me  out  of  an  everlasting  burning,  and  I  am  born 
of  God; 

191  My  soul  hath  been  redeemed  from  the  gall  of  bitter- 
ness and  bonds  of  iniquity. 

192  I  was  in  the  darkest  abyss;  but  now  I  behold  the  mar- 
velous light  of   God. 

193  My  soul  was  wrecked  with  eternal  torment;  but  I  am 
snatched,  and  my  soul  is  pained  no  more. 

194  I  rejected  my  Redeemer,  and  denied  that  which  had 
been  spoken  of  by  our  fathers; 


CHAP.  11.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  289 

195  But  now  that  they  may  foresee  that  he  will  come,  and 
that  he  remembereth  every  creature  of  his  creating; 

196  He  will  make  himself  manifest  unto  all;  yea,  every 
knee  shall  bow,  and  every  tongue  confess  before  him. 

197  Yea,  even  at  the  last  day,  when  all  men  shall  stand 
to  be  judged  of  him,  then  shall  they  confess  that  he  is  God; 

198  Then  shall  they  confess,  who  live  without  God  in  the 
world,  that  the  judgment  of  an  everlasting  punishment  is  just 
upon  them; 

199  And  they  shall  quake,  and  tremble,  and  shrink  be- 
neath the  glance  of  his  all-searching  eye. 

200  TJAnd  now  it  came  to  pass  that  Alma  began  from  this 
time  forward,  to  teach  the  people,  and  those  who  were  with 
Alma  at  the  time  the  angel  appeared  unto  them : 

201  Traveling  round  about  through  all  the  land,  publish- 
ing to  all  the  people  the  things  which  they  had  heard  and 
seen,  and  preaching  the  word  of  God  in  much  tribulation, 
being  greatly  persecuted  by  those  who  were  unbelievers,  being 
smitten  by  many  of  them; 

202  But  notwithstanding  all  this,  they  did  impart  much 
consolation  to  the  church,  confirming  their  faith,  and  exhort- 
ing them  with  longsuff ering  and  much  travail,  to  keep  the 
commandments  of  God. 

203  And  four  of  them  were  the  sons  of  Mosiah;  and  their 
names  were  Ammon,  and  Aaron,  and  Omner,  and  Himni; 
these  were  the  names  of  the  sons  of  Mosiah. 

204  And  they  traveled  throughout  all  the  land  of  Zara- 
hemla,  and  among  all  the  people  who  were  under  the  reign  of 
King  Mosiah,  zealously  striving  to  repair  all  the  injuries 
which  they  had  done  to  the  church: 

205  Confessing  all  their  sins,  and  publishing  all  the  things 
which  they  had  seen,  and  explaining  the  prophecies  and  the 
scriptures  to  all  who  desired  to  hear  them: 

206  And  thus  they  were  instruments  in  the  hands  of  God, 
in  bringing  many  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth,  yea,  to  the 
knowledge  of  their  Redeemer. 


290  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  12, 

207  And  how  blessed  are  they!  For  they  did  publish  peace; 
they  did  publish  good  tidings  of  good;  and  they  did  declare 
unto  the  people  that  the  Lord  reigneth. 


CHAPTER  12. 

1  ^Now  it  came  to  pass  that  after  the  sons  of  Mosiah  had 
done  all  these  things,  they  took  a  small  number  with  them, 
and  returned  to  their  father,  the  king,  and  desired  of  him 
that  he  would  grant  unto  them,  that  they  might,  with  those 
whom  they  had  selected,  go  up  to  the  land  of  Nephi, 

2  That  they  might  preach  the  things  which  they  had  heard, 
and  that  they  might  impart  the  word  of  God  to  their  breth- 
ren, the  Lamanites,  that  perhaps  they  might  bring  them  to 
the  knowledge  of  the  Lord  their  God,  and  convince  them  of 
the  iniquity  of  their  fathers; 

3  And  that  perhaps  they  might  cure  them  of  their  hatred 
towards  the  Nephites,  that  they  might  also  be  brought  to  re- 
joice in  the  Lord  their  God, 

4  That  they  might  become  friendly  to  one  another,  and 
that  there  should  be  no  more  contentions  in  all  the  land  which 
the  Lord  their  God  had  given  them. 

5  Now  they  were  desirous  that  salvation  should  be  de- 
clared to  every  creature,  for  they  could  not  bear  that  any 
human  soul  should  perish; 

6  Yea,  even  the  very  thoughts  that  any  soul  should  endure 
endless  torment,  did  cause  them  to  quake  and  tremble. 

7  And  thus  did  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  work  upon  them,  for 
they  were  the  very  vilest  of  sinners. 

8  And  the  Lord  saw  fit  in  his  infinite  mercy  to  spare  them; 
nevertheless  they  suffered  much  anguish  of  soul,  because  of 
their  iniquities;  and  suffering  much,  fearing  that  they  should 
be  cast  off  for  ever. 

9  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  plead  with  their  father 
many  days,  that  they  might  go  up  to  the  land  of  Nephi. 

10  And  King  Mosiah  went  and  inquired  of  the  Lord,  if  he 


CHAP.  12.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  ^^1 

should  let  his  sons  go  up  among  the  Lamanites  to  preach  the 
word. 

11  And  the  Lord  said  unto  Mosiah,  Let  them  go  up,  for 
many  shall  believe  on  their  words,  and  they  shall  have  eternal 
life;  and  I  will  deliver  thy  sons  out  of  the  hands  of  the  La- 
manites. 

12  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Mosiah  granted  that  they 
might  go,  and  do  according  to  their  request; 

13  And  they  took  their  journey  into  the  wilderness,  to  go 
up  to  preach  the  word  among  the  Lamanites :  and  I  shall  give 
an  account  of  their  proceedings  hereafter. 

14  Now  King  Mosiah  had  no  one  to  confer  the  kingdom 
upon,  for  there  was  not  any  of  his  sons  who  would  accept  of 
the  kingdom; 

15  Therefore  he  took  the  records  which  were  engraven  on 
the  plates  of  brass,  and  also  the  plates  of  Nephi,  and  all  the 
things  which  he  had  kept  and  preserved,  according  to  the 
commandments  of  God, 

16  After  having  translated  and  caused  to  be  written  the 
records  which  were  on  the  plates  of  gold,  which  had  been 
found  by  the  people  of  Limhi,  which  were  delivered  to  him 
by  the  hand  of  Limhi; 

17  And  this  he  did,  because  of  the  great  anxiety  of  his 
people,  for  they  were  desirous  beyond  measure,  to  know  con- 
cerning those  people  who  had  been  destroyed. 

18  And  now  he  translated  them  by  the  means  of  those  two 
stones  which  were  fastened  into  the  two  rims  of  a  bow. 

19  Now  these  things  were  prepared  from  the  beginning, 
and  were  handed  down  from  generation  to  generation,  for 
the  purpose  of  interpreting  languages; 

20  And  they  have  been  kept  and  preserved  by  the  hand  of 
the  Lord,  that  he  should  discover  to  every  creature  who  should 
possess  the  land,  the  iniquities  and  abominations  of  his  peo- 
ple; 

21  And  whosoever  has  these  things,  is  called  seer,  after 
the  manner  of  old  times. 

22  ^Now  after  Mosiah  had  finished  translating  these  rec- 
ords, behold,  it  gave  an  account  of  the  people  who  were  de- 


292  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  13. 

stroyed,  from  the  time  that  they  were  destroyed,  back  to  the 
building  of  the  great  tower,  at  the  time  the  Lord  confounded 
the  language  of  the  people; 

23  And  they  were  scattered  abroad  upon  the  face  of  all  the 
earth,  yea,  and  even  from  that  time  until  the  creation  of 
Adam. 

24  Now  this  account  did  cause  the  people  of  Mosiah  to 
mourn  exceedingly;  yea,  they  were  filled  with  sorrow; 

25  Nevertheless  it  gave  them  much  knowledge,  in  the  which 
they  did  rejoice. 

26  And  this  account  shall  be  written  hereafter;  for  behold, 
it  is  expedient  that  all  people  should  know  the  things  which 
are  written  in  this  account. 


CHAPTER  13. 

1  ^And  now,  as  I  said  unto  you,  that  after  King  Mosiah 
had  done  these  things,  he  took  the  plates  of  brass,  and  all  the 
things  which  he  had  kept,  and  conferred  them  upon  Alma, 
who  was  the  sbn  of  Alma; 

2  Yea,  all  the  records,  and  also  the  interpreters,  and  con- 
ferred them  upon  him,  and  commanded  him  that  he  should 
keep  and  preserve  them,  and  also  keep  a  record  of  the  people, 
handing  them  down  from  one  generation  to  another,  even  as 
they  had  been  handed  down  from  the  time  that  Lehi  left  Je- 
rusalem. 

3  Now  when  Mosiah  had  done  this,  he  sent  out  through  all 
the  land,  among  all  the  people,  desiring  to  know  their  will 
concerning  who  should  be  their  king. 

4  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  voice  of  the  people  came, 
saying.  We  are  desirous  that  Aaron,  thy  son,  should  be  our 
king,  and  our  ruler. 

5  Now  Aaron  had  gone  up  to  the  land  of  Nephi,  therefore 
the  king  could  not  confer  the  kingdom  upon  him;  neither 
would  Aaron  take  upon  him  the  kingdom; 

6  Neither  were  any  of  the  sons  of  Mosiah  willing  to  take 
upon  them  the  kingdom,  therefore  King  Mosiah  sent  again 


CHAP.  13.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  293 

among  the  people,  yea,  even  a  written  word  sent  he  among 
the  people. 

7  And  these  were  the  words  that  were  written;  saying: 
Behold,  O  ye  my  people,  or  my  brethren,  for  I  esteem  you  as 
such;  for  I  desire  that  ye  should  consider  the  cause  which  ye 
are  called  to  consider;  for  ye  are  desirous  to  have  a  king. 

8  Now  I  declare  unto  you,  that  he  to  whom  the  kingdom 
doth  rightly  belong,  has  declined,  and  will  not  take  upon  him 
the  kingdom. 

9  And  now  if  there  should  be  another  appointed  in  his 
stead,  behold  I  fear  there  would  rise  contentions  among  you; 

10  And  who  knoweth  but  what  my  son,  to  whom  the  king- 
dom doth  belong,  should  turn  to  be  angry,  and  draw  away  a 
part  of  this  people  after  him,  which  would  cause  wars  and 
contentions  among  you;  which  would  be  the  cause  of  shedding 
much  blood,  and  perverting  the  way  of  the  Lord;  yea,  and 
destroy  the  souls  of  many  people. 

11  Now  I  say  unto  you,  Let  us  be  wise  and  consider  these 
things,  for  we  have  no  right  to  destroy  my  son,  neither  should 
we  have  any  right  to  destroy  another,  if  he  should  be  ap- 
pointed in  his  stead. 

12  And  if  my  son  should  turn  again  to  his  pride  and  vain 
things,  he  would  recall  the  things  which  he  had  said,  and 
claim  his  right  to  the  kingdom,  which  would  cause  him  and 
also  this  people  to  commit  much  sin. 

13  And  now  let  us  be  wise  and  look  forward  to  these  things, 
and  do  that  which  will  make  for  the  peace  of  this  people. 

14  Therefore  I  will  be  your  king  the  remainder  of  my 
days; 

15  Nevertheless,  let  us  appoint  judges,  to  judge  this  people 
according  to  our  law,  and  we  will  newly  arrange  the  affairs 
of  this  people,  for  we  will  appoint  wise  men  to  be  judges, 
that  will  judge  this  people  according  to  the  commandments 
of  God. 

16  Now  it  is  better  that  a  man  should  be  judged  of  God 
than  of  man,  for  the  judgments  of  God  are  always  just,  but 
the  judgments  of  man  are  not  always  just; 

17  Therefore,  if  it  were  possible  that  ye  could  have  just 


294  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.  13. 

men  to  be  your  kings,  who  would  establish  the  laws  of  God, 
and  judge  this  people  according  to  his  commandments;  yea, 
if  ye  could  have  men  for  your  kings,  who  would  do  even  as 
my  father  Benjamin  did  for  this  people,  I  say  unto  you.  If 
this  could  always  be  the  case,  then  it  would  be  expedient  that 
ye  should  always  have  kings  to  rule  over  you. 

18  And  even  I  myself  have  labored  with  all  the  power  and 
faculties  which  I  have  possessed,  to  teach  you  the  command- 
ments of  God,  and  to  establish  peace  throughout  the  land, 

19  That  there  should  be  no  wars  nor  contentions,  no  steal- 
ing, nor  plundering,  nor  murdering,  nor  any  manner  of  iniq- 
uity; 

20  And  whosoever  has  committed  iniquity,  him  have  I  pun- 
ished according  to  the  crime  which  he  has  committed,  accord- 
ing to  the  law  which  has  been  given  to  us  by  our  fathers. 

21  TJNow  I  say  unto  you,  that  because  all  men  are  not  just, 
it  is  not  expedient  that  ye  should  have  a  king  or  kings  to  rule 
over  you. 

22  For  behold,  how  much  iniquity  doth  one  wicked  king 
cause  to  be  committed!    yea,  and  what  great  destruction! 

23  Yea,  remember  King  Noah,  his  wickedness  and  his 
abominations;  and  also  the  wickedness  and  abominations  of 
his  people. 

24  Behold  what  great  destruction  did  come  upon  them; 
and  also  because  of  their  iniquities,  they  were  brought  into 
bondage. 

25  And  were  it  not  for  the  interposition  of  their  all-wise 
Creator,  and  this  because  of  their  sincere  repentance,  they 
must  unavoidably  remained  in  bondage  until  now. 

26  But  behold,  he  did  deliver  them  because  they  did  hum- 
ble themselves  before  him;  and  because  they  cried  mightily 
unto  him,  he  did  deliver  them  out  of  bondage: 

27  And  thus  doth  the  Lord  work  with  his  power  in  all  cases 
among  the  children  of  men,  extending  the  arm  of  mercy  to- 
wards them  that  put  their  trust  in  him. 

28  And  behold,  now  I  say  unto  you,  Ye  can  not  dethrone 
an  iniquitous  king,  save  it  be  through  much  contention,  and 
the  shedding  of  much  blood. 


CHAP.  13.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  295 

29  For  behold,  he  has  his  friends  in  iniquity,  and  he  keep- 
eth  his  guards  about  him;  and  he  teareth  up  the  laws  of 
those  who  have  reigned  in  righteousness  before  him:  and  he 
trampleth  under  his  feet  the  commandments  of  God; 

30  And  he  enacteth  laws,  and  sendeth  them  forth  among 
his  people;  yea,  laws  after  the  manner  of  his  own  wicked- 
ness; and  whosoever  doth  not  obey  his  laws,  he  causeth  to  be 
destroyed; 

31  And  whosoever  doth  rebel  against  him,  he  will  send  his 
armies  against  them  to  war,  and  if  he  can,  he  will  destroy 
them; 

32  And  thus  an  unrighteous  king  doth  pervert  the  ways  of 
all  righteousness. 

33  And  now  behold  I  say  unto  you.  It  is  not  expedient  that 
such  abominations  should  come  upon  you; 

34  Therefore  choose  you  by  the  voice  of  this  people,  judges, 
that  ye  may  be  judged  according  to  the  laws  which  have  been 
given  you  by  our  fathers,  which  are  correct,  and  which  were 
given  them  by  the  hand  of  the  Lord. 

35  Now  it  is  not  common  that  the  voice  of  the  people  de- 
sireth  anything  contrary  to  that  which  is  right;  but  it  is 
common  for  the  lesser  part  of  the  people  to  desire  that  which 
is  not  right; 

36  Therefore  this  shall  ye  observe,  and  make  it  your  law 
to  do  your  business  by  the  voice  of  the  people. 

37  And  if  the  time  comes  that  the  voice  of  the  people  doth 
choose  iniquity,  then  is  the  time  that  the  judgments  of  God 
will  come  upon  you; 

38  Yea,  then  is  the  time  he  will  visit  you  with  great  de- 
struction, even  as  he  has  hitherto  visited  this  land. 

39  And  now  if  ye  have  judges,  and  they  do  not  judge  you 
according  to  the  law  which  has  been  given,  ye  can  cause  that 
they  may  be  judged  of  a  higher  judge; 

40  If  your  higher  judges  do  not  judge  righteous  judg- 
ments, ye  shall  cause  that  a  small  number  of  your  lower 
judges  should  be  gathered  together,  and  they  shall  judge 
your  higher  judges,  according  to  the  voice  of  the  people. 


296  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  [chap.   13. 

41  And  I  command  you  to  do  these  things  in  the  fear  of 
the  Lord; 

42  And  I  command  you  to  do  these  things,  and  that  ye  have 
no  king:  that  if  these  people  commit  sins  and  iniquities,  they 
shall  be  answered  upon  their  own  heads. 

43  For  behold  I  say  unto  you,  The  sins  of  many  people  have 
been  caused  by  the  iniquities  of  their  kings;  therefore  their 
iniquities  are  answered  upon  the  heads  of  their  kings. 

44  And  now  I  desire  that  this  inequality  should  be  no  more 
in  this  land,  especially  among  this  my  people; 

45  But  I  desire  that  this  land  be  a  land  of  liberty,  and 
every  man  may  enjoy  his  rights  and  privileges  alike,  so  long 
as  the  Lord  sees  fit,  that  we  may  live  and  inherit  the  land; 

46  Yea,  even  as  long  as  any  of  our  posterity  remains  upon 
the  face  of  the  land. 

47  And  many  more  things  did  King  Mosiah  write  unto 
them,  unfolding  unto  them  all  the  trials  and  troubles  of  a 
righteous  king; 

48  Yea,  all  the  travails  of  soul  for  their  people,  and  also 
all  the  murmurings  of  the  people  to  their  king;  and  he  ex- 
plained it  all  unto  them. 

49  And  he  told  them  that  these  things  ought  not  to  be;  but 
that  the  burden  should  come  upon  all  the  people,  that  every 
man  might  bear  his  part. 

50  And  he  also  unfolded  unto  them  all  the  disadvantages 
they  labored  under,  by  having  an  unrighteous  king  to  rule 
over  them; 

51  Yea,  all  his  iniquities  and  abominations,  and  all  the 
wars,  and  contentions,  and  bloodshed,  and  the  stealing,  and 
the  plundering,  and  the  committing  of  whoredoms,  and  all 
manner  of  iniquities,  which  can  not  be  enumerated, 

52  Telling  them  that  these  things  ought  not  to  be;  that 
they  were  expressly  repugnant  to  the  commandments  of  God. 

53  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass,  after  King  Mosiah  had  sent 
these  things  forth  among  the  people,  they  were  convinced  of 
the  truth  of  his  words; 

54  Therefore  they  relinquished  their  desires  for  a  king,  and 


CHAP.  13.]  BOOK    OF    MOSIAH.  297 

became  exceedingly  anxious  that  every  man  should  have  an 
equal  chance  throughout  all  the  land; 

55  Yea,  and  every  man  expressed  a  willingness  to  answer 
for  his  own  sins. 

56  Therefore  it  came  to  pass  that  they  assembled  them- 
selves together  in  bodies  throughout  the  land,  to  cast  in  their 
voices  concerning  who  should  be  their  judges,  to  judge  them 
according  to  the  law  which  had  been  given  them; 

57  And  they  were  exceedingly  rejoiced,  because  of  the  lib- 
erty which  had  been  granted  unto  them. 

58  And  they  did  wax  strong  in  love  towards  Mosiah;  yea, 
they  did  esteem  him  more  than  any  other  man: 

59  For  they  did  not  look  upon  him  as  a  tyrant,  who  was 
seeking  for  gain,  yea,  for  that  lucre  which  doth  corrupt  the 
soul, 

60  For  he  had  not  exacted  riches  of  them,  neither  had  he 
delighted  in  the  shedding  of  blood;  but  he  had  established 
peace  in  the  land,  and  he  had  granted  unto  his  people  that 
they  should  be  delivered  from  all  manner  of  bondage; 

61  Therefore  they  did  esteem  him,  yea,  exceedingly,  be- 
yond measure. 

62  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  appoint  judges  to  rule 
over  them,  or  to  judge  them  according  to  the  law;  and  this 
they  did  throughout  all  the  land. 

63  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Alma  was  appointed  to  be 
the  chief  judge;  he  being  also  the  high  priest;  his  father 
having  conferred  the  office  upon  him,  and  had  given  him  the 
charge  concerning  all  the  affairs  of  the  church. 

64  And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  Alma  did  walk  in  the 
ways  of  the  Lord,  and  he  did  keep  his  commandments,  and 
he  did  judge  righteous  judgments;  and  there  was  continual 
peace  through  the  land; 

.65  And. thus  commenced  the  reign  of  the  judges  through- 
out all  the  land  of  Zarahemla,  among  all  the  people  who 
were  called  the  Nephites:  and  Alma  was  the  first  and  chief 
judge. 

66  And  now   it  came  to  pass  that  his  father  died,  being 


298  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  1. 

eighty  and  two  years  old,  having  lived  to  fulfill  the  command- 
ments of  God. 

67  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Mosiah  died  also,  in  the 
thirty  and  third  year  of  his  reign,  being  sixty  and  three  years 
old,  making  in  the  whole,  five  hundred  and  nine  years  from 
the  time  Lehi  left  Jerusalem; 

68  And  thus  ended  the  reign  of  the  kings  over  the  people 
of  Nephi;  and  thus  ended  the  days  of  Alma,  who  was  the 
founder  of  their  church. 


THE  BOOK  OF  ALMA. 

THE    SON    OF    ALMA. 


CHAPTER  1. 

The  account  of  Alma,  who  was  the  son  of  Alma,  the  First 
and  Chief  Judge  over  the  people  of  Nephi,  and  also  then 
High  Priest  over  the  Church.  An  account  of  the  reign  of 
the  Judges,  and  the  tvars  and  contentions  among  the  people. 
And  also  an  account  of  a  war  between  the  Nephites  and  the 
Lamanites,  according  to  the  record  of  Alma  the  First,  and 
Chief  Judge. 

1  ^Now  it  came  to  pass  that  in  the  first  year  of  the  reign 
of  the  Judges  over  the  people  of  Nephi,  from  this  time  for- 
ward. King  Mosiah  having  gone  the  way  of  all  the  earth, 
having  warred  a  good  warfare,  walking  uprightly  before  God, 
leaving  none  to  reign  in  his  stead; 

2  Nevertheless  he  established  laws,  and  they  were  acknowl- 
edged by  the  people;  therefore  they  were  obliged  to  abide  by 
the  laws  which  he  had  made. 

3  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  in  the  first  year  of  the  reign 
of  Alma  in  the  judgment  seat,  there  was  a  man  brought  be- 
fore him  to  be  judged;  a  man  who  was  large,  and  was  noted 
for  his  much  strength; 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  299 

4  And  he  had  gone  about  among  the  people,  preaching  to 
them  that  which  he  termed  to  be  the  word  of  God,  bearing 
down  against  the  church; 

5  Declaring  unto  the  people  that  every  priest  and  teacher 
ought  to  become  popular;  and  they  ought  not  to  labor  with 
their  own  hands,  but  that  they  ought  to  be  supported  by  the 
people; 

6  And  he  also  testified  unto  the  people  that  all  mankind 
should  be  saved  at  the  last  day,  and  that  they  need  not  fear 
nor  tremble,  but  that  they  might  lift  up  their  heads  and  re- 
joice; 

7  For  the  Lord  had  created  all  men,  and  had  also  re- 
deemed all  men;  and  in  the  end,  all  men  should  have  eternal 
life. 

8  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  did  teach  these  things  so 
much,  that  many  did  believe  on  his  words,  even  so  many 
that  they  began  to  support  him  and  give  him  money; 

9  And  he  began  to  be  lifted  up  in  the  pride  of  his  heart, 
and  to  wear  very  costly  apparel;  yea,  and  even  began  to 
establish  a  church,  after  the  manner  of  his  preaching. 

10  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  as  he  was  going  to  preach  to  those 
who  believed  on  his  word,  he  met  a  man  who  belonged  to  the 
church  of  God,  yea,  even  one  of  their  teachers; 

11  And  he  began  to  contend  with  him  sharply,  that  he 
might  lead  away  the  people  of  the  church;  but  the  man  with- 
stood him,  admonishing  him  with  the  words  of  God. 

12  Now  the  name  of  the  man  was  Gideon;  and  it  was  he 
who  was  an  instrument  in  the  hands  of  God,  in  delivering  the 
people  of  Limhi  out  of  bondage. 

13  Now  because  Gideon  withstood  him  with  the  words  of 
God,  he  was  wroth  with  Gideon,  and  drew  his  sword  and  be- 
gan to  smite  him. 

14  Now  Gideon  being  stricken  with  many  years  therefore 
he  was  not  able  to  withstand  his  blows,  therefore  he  was 
slain  by  the  sword; 

15  And  the  man  who  slew  him  was  taken  by  the  people  of 
the  church,  and  was  brought  before  Alma,  to  be  judged  ac- 
cording to  the  crime  which  he  had  committed. 


300  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  1. 

16  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  stood  before  Alma,  and 
plead  for  himself  with  much  boldness. 

17  But  Alma  said  unto  him,  Behold,  this  is  the  first  time 
that  priestcraft  has  been  introduced  among  this  people. 

18  And  behold,  thou  art  not  only  guilty  of  priestcraft,  but 
hast  endeavored  to  enforce  it  by  the  sword;  and  were  priest- 
craft to  be  enforced  among  this  people,  it  would  prove  their 
entire  destruction. 

19  And  thou  hast  shed  the  blood  of  a  righteous  man,  yea, 
a  man  who  has  done  much  good  among  this  people;  and  were 
we  to  spare  thee,  his  blood  would  come  upon  us  for  venge- 
ance; 

20  Therefore  thou  art  condemned  to  die,  according  to  the 
law  which  has  been  given  us  by  Mosiah,  our  last  king;     . 

21  And  they  have  been  acknowledged  by  this  people;  there- 
fore this  people  must  abide  by  the  law. 

22  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  took  him;  and  his  name 
wasNehor;  and  they  carried  him  upon  the  top  o:^  the  hill 
Manti, 

23  And  there  he  was  caused,  or  rather  did  acknowledge, 
between  the  heavens  and  the  earth,  that  what  he  had  taught 
to  the  people  was  contrary  to  the  word  of  God;  and  there  he 
suffered  an  ignominious  death. 

24  Nevertheless  this  did  not  put  an  end  to  the  spreading 
of  priestcraft  through  the  land;  for  there  were  many  who 
loved  the  vain  things  of  the  world,  and  they  went  forth 
preaching  false  doctrines,  and  this  they  did  for  the  sake  of 
riches  and  honor. 

25  Nevertheless  they  durst  not  lie,  if  it  were  known,  for 
fear  of  the  law,  for  liars  were  punished;  therefore  they  pre- 
tended to  preach  according  to  their  belief : 

26  i^nd  now  the  law  could  have  no  power  on  any  man  for 
his  belief. 

27  And  they  durst  not  steal,  for  fear  of  the  law;  for  such 
were  punished;  neither  durst  they  rob,  nor  murder:  for  he 
that  murdered  was  punished  unto  death. 

28  ^But  it  came  to  pass  that  whosoever  did  not  belong  to 
the   church   of   God,   began   to   persecute  those  that  did   be- 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  301 

long  to  the  church  of  God,  and  had  taken  upon  them  the  name 
of  Christ; 

29  Yea,  they  did  persecute  them,  and  afflict  them  with  all 
manner  of  words,  and  this  because  of  their  humility; 

30  Because  they  were  not  proud  in  their  own  eyes,  and  be- 
cause they  did  impart  the  word  of  God,  one  with  another, 
without  money  and  without  price. 

31  Now  there  was  a  strict  law  among  the  people  of  the 
church,  that  there  should  not  any  man,  belonging  to  the 
church,  arise  and  persecute  those  that  did  not  belong  to  the 
church,  and  that  there  should  be  no  persecution  among  them- 
selves. 

32  Nevertheless,  there  were  many  among  them  who  began 
to  be  proud,  and  began  to  contend  warmly  with  their  adver- 
saries, even  unto  blows;  yea,  they  would  smite  one  another 
with  their  fists. 

33  Now  this  was  in  the  second  year  of  the  reign  of  Alma, 
and  it  was  a  cause  of  much  affliction  to  the  church;  yea,  it 
was  the  cause  of  much  trial  with  the  church; 

34  For  the  hearts  of  many  were  hardened,  and  their  names 
were  blotted  out,  that  they  were  remembered  no  more  among 
the  people  of  God. 

35  And  also  many  withdrew  themselves  from  among  them. 

36  Now  this  was  a  great  trial  to  those  that  did  stand  fast 
in  the  faith;  nevertheless,  they  were  steadfast  and  immova- 
ble in  keeping  the  commandments  of  God,  and  they  bore  with 
patience  the  persecution  which  was  heaped  upon  them. 

37  And  when  the  priests  left  their  labor,  to  impart  the 
word  of  God  unto  the  people,  the  people  also  left  their  labors 
to  hear  the  word  of  God. 

38  And  when  the  priest  had  imparted  unto  them  the  word 
of  God,  they  all  returned  again  diligently  unto  their  labors; 

39  And  the  priest,  not  esteeming  himself  above  his  hearers; 
for  the  preacher  was  no  better  than  the  hearer,  neither  was 
the  teacher  any  better  than  the  learner:  and  thus  they  were 
all  equal,  and  they  did  all  labor,  every  man  according  to  his 
strength ; 

40  And  they  did  impart  of  their  substance  every  man  ac- 


302  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  1. 

cording  to  that  which  he  had,  to  the  poor,  and  the  needy,  and 
the  sick,  and  the  afflicted; 

41  And  they  did  not  wear  costly  apparel,  yet  they  were 
neat  and  comely; 

42  And  thus  they  did  establish  the  affairs  of  the  church; 
and  thus  they  began  to  have  continual  peace  again,  notwith- 
standing all  their  persecutions. 

43  And  now  because  of  the  steadiness  of  the  church,  they 
began  to  be  exceeding  rich;  having  abundance  of  all  things 
whatsoever  they  stood  in  need; 

44  An  abundance  of  flocks,  and  herds,  and  fatlings  of  every 
kind,  and  also  abundance  of  grain,  and  of  gold,  and  of  silver, 
and  of  precious  things;  and  abundance  of  silk  and  fine  twined 
linen,  and  all  manner  of  good  homely  cloth. 

45  And  thus  in  their  prosperous  circumstances  they  did 
not  send  away  any  who  were  naked,  or  that  were  hungry,  or 
that  were  athirst,  or  that  were  sick,  or  that  had  not  been 
nourished; 

46  And  they  did  not  set  their  hearts  upon  riches;  there- 
fore they  were  liberal  to  all,  both  old  and  young,  both  bond 
and  free,  both  male  and  female,  whether  out  of  the  church  or 
in  the  church,  having  no  respect  to  persons  as  to  those  who 
stood  in  need; 

47  And  thus  they  did  prosper  and  become  far  more  wealthy 
than  those  who  did  not  belong  to  their  church. 

48  For  those  who  did  not  belong  to  their  church  did  indulge 
themselves  in  sorceries,  and  in  idolatry  or  idleness,  and  in 
babblings,  and  in  envyings  and  strife; 

49  And  wearing  costly  apparel ;  being  lifted  up  in  the  pride 
of  their  own  eyes;  persecuting,  lying,  thieving,  robbing,  com- 
mitting whoredoms,  and  murdering,  and  all  manner  of  wick- 
edness ; 

50  Nevertheless,  the  law  was  put  in  force  upon  all  those 
who  did  transgress  it,  inasmuch  as  it  were  possible. 

51  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  by  thus  exercising  the  law 
upon  them,  every  man  suffering  according  to  that  which  he 
had  done,  they  become  more  still,  and  durst  not  commit  any 
wickedness,  if  it  were  known: 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  303 

52  Therefore  there  was  much  peace  among  the  people  of 
Nephi,  until  the  fifth  year  of  the  reign  of  the  Judges. 

53  And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  commencement  of  the  fifth 
year  of  their  reign,  there  began  to  be  a  contention  among  the 
people,  for  a  certain  man,  being  called  Amlici;  he  being  a 
very  cunning  man,  yea,  a  wise  man,  as  to  the  wisdom  of  the 
world;  he  being  after  the  order  of  the  man  that  slew  Gideon 
by  the  sword,  who  was  executed  according  to  the  law. 

54  Now  this  Amlici  had,  by  his  cunning,  drawn  away  much 
people  after  him;  even  so  much  that  they  began  to  be  very 
powerful;  and  they  began  to  endeavor  to  establish  Amlici  to 
be  a  king  over  the  people. 

55  Now  this  was  alarming  to  the  people  of  the  church,  and 
also  to  all  those  who  had  not  been  drawn  away  after  the  per- 
suasions of  Amlici: 

56  For  they  knew  that  according  to  their  law  that  such 
things  must  be  established  by  the  voice  of  the  people; 

57  Therefore,  if  it  were  possible  that  Amlici  should  gain 
the  voice  of  the  people,  he  being  a  wicked  man,  would  de- 
prive them  of  their  rights  and  privileges  of  the  church,  etc.; 
for  it  was  his  intent  to  destroy  the  church  of  God. 

58  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  people  assembled  them- 
selves together  throughout  all  the  land,  every  man  according 
to  his  mind,  whether  it  were  for  or  against  Amlici,  in  sepa- 
rate bodies,  having  much  dispute  and  wonderful  contentions, 
one  with  another; 

59  And  thus  they  did  assemble  themselves  together,  to  cast 
in  their  voices  concerning  the  matter:  and  they  were  laid 
before  the  Judges. 

60  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  voice  of  the  people  came 
against  Amlici,  that  he  was  not  made  king  over  the  people. 

61  Now  this  did  cause  much  joy  in  the  hearts  of  those  who 
were  against  him;  but  Amlici  did  stir  up  those  who  were  in 
his  favor,  to  anger  against  those  who  were  not  in  his  favor. 

62  T|And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  gathered  themselves  to- 
gether, and  did  consecrate  Amlici  to  be  their  king. 

63  Now  when  Amlici  was  made  king  over  them,  he  com- 
manded them  that  they  should  take  up  arms  against  their 


304  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  1. 

brethren;  and  this  he  did,  that  he  might  subject  them  to  him. 

64  Now  the  people  of  Amliei  were  distinguished  by  the 
name  of  Amliei,  being  called  Amlicites;  and  the  remainder 
were  called  Nephites,  or  the  people  of  God: 

65  Therefore  the  people  of  the  Nephites  were  aware  of  the 
intent  of  the  Amlicites,  and  therefore  they  did  prepare  to 
meet  them; 

66  Yea,  they  did  arm  themselves  with  swords,  and  with 
cimeters,  and  with  bows,  and  with  arrows,  and  with  stones, 
and  with  slings,  and  with  all  manner  of  weapons  of  war,  of 
every  kind; 

67  And  thus  they  were  prepared  to  meet  the  Amlicites  at 
the  time  of  their  coming. 

68  And  there  were  appointed  captains,  and  higher  cap- 
tains, and  chief  captains,  according  to  their  numbers. 

69  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Amliei  did  arm  his  men  with 
all  manner  of  weapons  of  war,  of  every  kind;  and  he  also 
appointed  rulers  and  leaders  over  his  people,  to  lead  them  to 
war  against  their  brethren. 

70  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Amlicites  came  upon  the 
hill  of  Amnihu,  which  was  east  of  the  river  Sidon,  which  ran 
by  the  land  of  Zarahemla,  and  there  they  began  to  make  war 
with  the  Nephites. 

71  Now  Alma,  being  the  chief  judge,  and  the  governor  of 
the  people  of  Nephi,  therefore  he  went  up  with  his  people, 
yea,  with  his  captains,  and  chief  captains,  yea,  at  the  head 
of  his  armies,  against  the  Amlicites  to  battle;  and  they  began 
to  slay  the  Amlicites  upon  the  hill  east  of  Sidon. 

72  And  the  Amlicites  did  contend  with  the  Nephites  with 
great  strength,  insomuch  that  many  of  the  Nephites  did  fall 
before  the  Amlicites; 

73  Nevertheless  the  Lord  did  strengthen  the  hand  of  the 
Nephites,  that  they  slew  the  Amlicites  with  a  great  slaughter, 
that  they  began  to  flee  before  them. 

74  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Nephites  did  pursue  the 
Amlicites  all  that  day,  and  did  slay  them  with  much  slaugh- 
ter, insomuch  that  there  was  slain  of  the  Amlicites  twelve 
thousand  five  hundred  thirty  and  two  souls; 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  305 

75  And  there  was  slain  of  the  Nephites,  six  thousand  five 
hundred  sixty  and  two  souls. 

76  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Alma  could  pursue  the 
Amlicites  no  longer,  he  caused  that  his  people  should  pitch 
their  tents,  in  the  valley  of  Gideon,  the  valley  being  called 
after  that  Gideon  who  was  slain  by  the  hand  of  Nehor  with 
the  sword;  and  in  this  valley  the  Nephites  did  pitch  their 
tents  for  the  night. 

77  And  Alma  sent  spies  to  follow  the  remnant  of  the  Am- 
licites, that  he  might  know  of  their  plans  and  their  plots, 
whereby  he  might  guard  himself  against  them,  that  he  might 
preserve  his  people  from  being  destroyed. 

78  Now  those  whom  he  had  sent  out  to  watch  the  camp  of 
the  Amlicites,  were  called  Zeram,  and  Amnor,  and  Manti,  and 
Limher;  these  were  they  who  went  out  with  their  men  to 
watch  the  camp  of  the  Amlicites. 

79  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  on  the  morrow  they  returned 
into  the  camp  of  the  Nephites,  in  great  haste,  being  greatly 
astonished,  and  struck  with  much  fear,  saying, 

80  Behold,  we  followed  the  camp  of  the  Amlicites,  and  to 
our  great  astonishment,  in  the  land  of  Minon,  above  the  land 
of  Zarahemla,  in  the  course  of  the  land  of  Nephi,  we  saw  a 
numerous  host  of  the  Lamanites; 

81  And  behold,  the  Amlicites  have  joined  them,  and  they 
are  upon  our  brethren  in  that  land;  and  they  are  fleeing  be- 
fore them  with  their  flocks,  and  their  wives,  and  their  chil- 
dren, towards  our  city; 

82  And  except  we  make  haste,  they  obtain  possession  of 
our  city;  and  our  fathers,  and  our  wives,  and  our  children  be 
slain. 

83  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  people  of  Nephi  took 
their  tents,  and  departed  out  of  the  valley  of  Gideon  towards 
their  city,  which  was  the  city  of  Zarahemla. 

84  And  behold,  as  they  were  crossing  the  river  Sidon,  the 
Lamanites  and  the  Amlicites,  being  as  numerous  almost,  as  it 
were,  as  the  sands  of  the  sea,  came  upon  them  to  destroy 
them ; 

85  Nevertheless  the  Nephites,  being   strengthened  by  the 


306  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  1. 

hand  of  the  Lord,  having  prayed  mightily  to  him  that  he 
would  deliver  them  out  of  the  hands  of  their  enemies; 

86  Therefore  the  Lord  did  hear  their  cries,  and  did  streng- 
then them,  and  the  Lamanites  and  Amlicites  did  fall  before 
them. 

87  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Alma  fought  with  Amlici  with 
the  sword,  face  to  face;  and  they  did  contend  mightily,  one 
with  another. 

88  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Alma,  being  a  man  of  God, 
being  exercised  with  much  faith,  cried  saying,  0  Lord,  have 
mercy  and  spare  my  life,  that  I  may  be  an  instrument  in  thy 
hands,  to  save  and  protect  this  people. 

89  Now  when  Alma  had  said  these  words,  he  contended 
again  with  Amlici;  and  he  was  strengthened,  insomuch  that 
he  slew  Amlici  with  the  sword. 

90  And  he  also  contended  with  the  king  of  the  Lamanites : 
but  the  king  of  the  Lamanites  fled  back  from  before  Alma, 
and  sent  his  guards  to  contend  with  Alma. 

91  But  Alma,  with  his  guards,  contended  with  the  guards 
of  the  king  of  the  Lamanites,  until  he  slew  and  drove  them 
back; 

92  And  thus  he  cleared  the  ground,  or  rather  the  bank, 
which  was  on  the  west  of  the  river  Sidon,  throwing  the  bodies 
of  the  Lamanites  who  had  been  slain,  into  the  waters  of 
Sidon,  that  thereby  his  people  might  have  room  to  cross  and 
contend  with  the  Lamanites  and  the  Amlicites  on  the  west 
side  of  the  river  Sidon. 

93  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  they  had  all  crossed 
the  river  Sidon  that  the  Lamanites  and  the  Amlicites  began 
to  flee  before  them,  notwithstanding  they  were  so  numerous 
that  they  could  not  be  numbered; 

94  And  they  fled  before  the  Nephites,  towards  the  wilder- 
ness which  was  west  and  north,  away  beyond  the  borders  of 
the  land; 

95  And  the  Nephites  did  pursue  them  with  their  might, 
and  did  slay  them;  yea,  they  were  met  on  every  hand,  and 
slain,  and  driven,  until  they  were  scattered  on  the  west,  and 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  307 

on  the  north,  until  they  had  reached  the  wilderness,  which 
was  called  Hermounts; 

96  And  it  was  that  part  of  the  wilderness  which  was  in- 
fested by  wild  and  ravenous  beasts. 

97  And  it  came  to  pass  that  many  died  in  the  wilderness 
of  their  wounds,  and  were  devoured  by  those  beasts,  and  also 
the  vultures  of  the  air :  and  their  bones  have  been  found,  and 
have  been  heaped  upon  the  earth. 

98  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Nephites,  who  were  not 
slain  by  the  weapons  of  war,  after  having  buried  those  who 
had  been  slain:  now  the  number  of  the  slain  were  not  num- 
bered, because  of  the  greatness  of  their  number;  after  they 
had  finished  burying  their  dead,  they  all  returned  to  their 
lands,  and  to  their  houses,  and  their  wives,  and  their  children. 

99  Now  many  women  and  children  had  been  slain  with  the 
sword,  and  also  many  of  their  flocks  and  their  herds; 

100  And  also  many  of  their  fields  of  grain  were  destroyed, 
for  they  were  trodden  down  by  the  hosts  of  men. 

101  And  now  as  many  of  the  Lamanites  and  the  Amlicites 
who  had  been  slain  upon  the  bank  of  the  river  Sidon,  were 
cast  into  the  waters  of  Sidon;  and  behold,  their  bones  are  in 
the  depths  of  the  sea,  and  they  are  many. 

102  And  the  Amlicites  were  distinguished  from  the  Ne- 
phites; for  they  had  marked  themselves  with  red  in  their 
foreheads,  after  the  manner  of  the  Lamanites;  nevertheless 
they  had  not  shorn  their  heads  like  unto  the  Lamanites. 

103  Now  the  heads  of  the  Lamanites  were  shorn;  and  they 
were  naked,  save  it  were  skin,  which  was  girded  about  their 
loins,  and  also  their  armor,  which  was  girded  about  them, 
and  their  bows,  and  their  arrows,  and  their  stones,  and  their 
slings,  etc. 

104  And  the  skins  of  the  Lamanites  were  dark,  according 
to  the  mark  which  was  set  upon  their  fathers,  which  was  a 
curse  upon  them  because  of  their  transgression  and  their  re- 
bellion against  their  brethren,  who  consisted  of  Nephi,  Jacob, 
and  Joseph,  and  Sam,  who  were  just  and  holy  men. 

105  And  their  brethren  sought  to  destroy  them;  therefore 
they  were  cursed;  and  the  Lord  God  set  a  mark  upon  them^, 


308  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  1. 

yea,  upon  Laman  and  Lemuel,  and  also  the  sons  of  Ishmael, 
and  the  Ishmaelitish  women; 

106  And  this  was  done,  that  their  seed  might  be  distin- 
guished from  the  seed  of  their  brethren,  that  thereby  the 
Lord  God  might  preserve  his  people,  that  they  might  not  mix 
and  believe  in  incorrect  traditions  which  would  prove  their 
destruction. 

107  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  whosoever  did  mingle  his 
seed  with  that  of  the  Lamanites,  did  bring  the  same  curse 
upon  his  seed; 

108  Therefore  whosoever  suffered  himself  to  be  led  away 
by  the  Lamanites,  was  called  under  that  head,  and  there  was 
a  mark  set  upon  him. 

109  And  it  came  to  pass  that  whosoever  would  not  believe 
in  the  tradition  of  the  Lamanites,  but  believed  those  records 
which  were  brought  out  of  the  land  of  Jerusalem,  and  also  in 
the  tradition  of  their  fathers,  which  were  correct,  who  be- 
lieved in  the  commandments  of  God,  and  kept  them,  were 
called  the  Nephites,  or  the  people  of  Nephi,  from  that  time 
forth ; 

110  And  it  is  they  who  have  kept  the  records  which  are 
true  of  their  people,  and  also  of  the  people  of  the  Lamanites. 

111  Now  we  will  return  again  to  the  Amlicites,  for  they 
also  had  a  mark  set  upon  them;  yea,  they  set  the  mark  upon 
themselves,  yea,  even  a  mark  of  red  upon  their  foreheads. 

112  Thus  the  word  of  God  is  fulfilled,  for  these  are  the 
words  which  he  said  to  Nephi: 

113  Behold,  the  Lamanites  have  I  cursed;  and  I  will  set  a 
mark  upon  them,  that  they  and  their  seed  may  be  separated 
from  thee  and  thy  seed,  from  this  time  henceforth  and  for 
ever,  except  they  repent  of  their  wickedness  and  turn  to  me, 
that  I  may  have  mercy  upon  them. 

114  And  again:  I  will  set  a  mark  upon  him  that  mingleth 
his  seed  with  thy  brethren,  that  they  may  be  cursed  also. 

115  And  again:  I  will  set  a  mark  upon  him  that  fighteth 
against  thee  and  thy  seed. 

116  And  again  I  say.  He  that  departeth  from  thee,  shall  no 
more  be  called  thy  seed;  and  I  will  bless  thee,  etc.,  and  whom- 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  309 

soever  shall  be  called  thy  seed,  henceforth  and  for  ever:  and 
these  were  the  promises  of  the  Lord  unto  Nephi,  and  to  his 
seed. 

117  Now  the  Amlicites  knew  not  that  they  were  fulfilling 
the  words  of  God,  when  they  began  to  mark  themselves  in 
their  foreheads; 

118  Nevertheless  they  had  come  out  in  open  rebellion 
against  God;  therefore  it  was  expedient  that  the  curse  should 
fall  upon  them. 

119  Now  I  would  that  ye  should  see  that  they  brought  upon 
themselves  the  curse; 

120  And  even  so  doth  every  man  that  is  cursed,  bring  upon 
himself  his  own  condemnation. 

121  ^Now  it  came  to  pass  that  not  many  days  after  the 
battle  which  was  fought  in  the  land  of  Zarahemla,  by  the 
Lamanites  and  the  Amlicites,  that  there  was  another  army  of 
the  Lamanites  came  in  upon  the  people  of  Nephi,  in  the 
same  place,  where  the  first  army  met  the  Amlicites. 

122  And  it  came  to  pass  that  there  was  an  army  sent  to 
drive  them  out  of  their  land. 

123  Now  Alma  himself  being  afflicted  with  a  wound,  did 
not  go  up  to  battle  at  this  time  against  the  Lamanites;  but 
he  sent  up  a  numerous  army  against  them; 

124  And  they  went  up  and  slew  many  of  the  Lamanites, 
and  drove  the  remainder  of  them  out  of  the  borders  of  their 
land; 

125  And  then  they  returned  again,  and  began  to  establish 
peace  in  the  land,  being  troubled  no  more  for  a  time  with 
their  enemies. 

126  Now  all  these  things  were  done,  yea,  all  these  wars 
and  contentions  were  commenced  and  ended,  in  the  fifth  year 
of  the  reign  of  the  Judges; 

127  And  in  one  year  were  thousands  and  tens  of  thousands 
of  souls  sent  to  the  eternal  world, 

128  That  they  might  reap  their  rewards  according  to  their 
works,  whether  they  were  good  or  whether  they  were  bad,  to 
reap   eternal   happiness   or  eternal  misery,  according  to  the 


310  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  2. 

spirit  which  they  listed  to  obey,  whether  it  be  a  good  spirit 
or  a  bad  one; 

129  For  every  man  receiveth  wages  of  him  whom  he  listeth 
to  obey,  and  this  according  to  the  words  of  the  spirit  of 
prophecy;    therefore  let  it  be  according  to  the  truth. 

130  And  thus  ended  the  fifth  year  of  the  reign  of  the 
Judges. 


CHAPTER  2. 

1  lINow  it  came  to  pass  in  the  sixth  year  of  the  reign  of 
the  Judges  over  the  people  of  Nephi,  there  were  no  conten- 
tions nor  wars  in  the  land  of  Zarahemla; 

2  But  the  people  were  afflicted,  yea,  greatly  afflicted  for  the 
loss  of  their  brethren,  and  also  for  the  loss  of  their  flocks  and 
herds,  and  also  for  the  loss  of  their  fields  of  grain,  which  were 
trodden  under  foot  and  destroyed  by  the  Lamanites, 

3  And  so  great  were  their  afflictions,  that  every  soul  had 
cause  to  mourn;  and  they  believed  that  it  was  the  judgments 
of  God  sent  upon  them,  because  of  their  wickedness  and  their 
abominations;  therefore  they  were  awakened  to  a  remem- 
brance of  their  duty. 

4  And  they  began  to  establish  the  church  more  fully;  yea, 
and  many  were  baptized  in  the  waters  of  Sidon,  and  were 
joined  to  the  church  of  God; 

5  Yea,  they  were  baptized  by  the  hand  of  Alma,  who  had 
been  consecrated  the  high  priest  over  the  people  of  the  church, 
by  the  hand  of  his  father  Alma. 

6  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  in  the  seventh  year  of  the  reign  of 
the  Judges,  there  were  about  three  thousand  five  hundred 
souls  that  united  themselves  to  the  church  of  God,  and  were 
baptized. 

7  And  thus  ended  the  seventh  year  of  the  reign  of  the 
Judges  over  the  people  of  Nephi;  and  there  was  continual 
peace  in  all  that  time. 

8  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  in  the  eighth  year  of  the  reign  of 
the  Judges,  that  the  people  of  the  church  began  to  wax  proud, 


CHAP.  2.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  311 

because  of  their  exceeding  riches,  and  their  fine  silks,  and 
their  fine  twined  linen, 

9  And  because  of  their  many  flocks  and  herds,  and  their 
gold,  and  their  silver,  and  all  manner  of  precious  things, 
which  they  had  obtained  by  their  industry; 

10  And  in  all  these  things  were  they  lifted  up  in  the  pride 
of  their  eyes,  for  they  began  to  wear  very  costly  apparel. 

11  Now  this  was  the  cause  of  much  affliction  to  Alma,  yea, 
and  to  many  of  the  people  whom  Alma  had  consecrated  to  be 
teachers,  and  priests,  and  elders,  over  the  church; 

12  Yea,  many  of  them  were  sorely  grieved  for  the  wicked- 
ness which  they  saw  had  begun  to  be  among  their  people. 

13  For  they  saw  and  beheld  with  great  sorrow,  that  the 
people  of  the  church  began  to  be  lifted  up  in  the  pride  of 
their  eyes,  and  to  set  their  hearts  upon  riches  and  upon  the 
vain  things  of  the  world; 

14  That  they  began  to  be  scornful,  one  towards  another, 
and  they  began  to  persecute  those  that  did  not  believe  ac- 
cording to  their  own  will  and  pleasure. 

15  And  thus  in  this  eighth  year  of  the  reign  of  the  Judges, 
there  began  to  be  great  contentions  among  the  people  of  the 
church ; 

16  Yea,  there  were  envyings,  and  strifes,  and  malice,  and 
persecutions,  and  pride,  even  to  exceed  the  pride  of  those  who 
did  not  belong  to  the  church  of  God. 

17  And  thus  ended  the  eighth  year  of  the  reign  of  the 
Judges;  and  the  wickedness  of  the  church  was  a  great  stum- 
bling block  to  those  who  did  not  belong  to  the  church;  and 
thus  the  church  began  to  fail  in  its  progress. 

18  ^And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  commencement  of  the  ninth 
year,  Alma  saw  the  wickedness  of  the  church,  and  he  saw 
also  that  the  example  of  the  church  began  to  lead  those  who 
were  unbelievers,  on  from  one  piece  of  iniquity  to  another, 
thus  bringing  on  the  destruction  of  the  people; 

19  Yea,  he  saw  great  inequality  among  the  people,  some 
lifting  themselves  up  with  their  pride,  despising  others,  turn- 
ing their  backs  upon  the  needy,  and  the  naked,  and  those 


312  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  2. 

who  were  hungry,  and  those  who  were  athirst,  and  those  who 
were  sick  and  afflicted. 

20  Now  this  was  a  great  cause  for  lamentations  among 
the  people,  while  others  were  abasing  themselves,  succoring 
those  who  stood  in  need  of  their  succor,  such  as  imparting 
their  substance  to  the  poor  and  the  needy;  feeding  the  hun- 
gry; and  suffering  all  manner  of  afflictions,  for  Christ's  sake, 
who  should  come  according  to  the  spirit  of  prophecy,  looking 
forward  to  that  day,  thus  retaining  a  remission  of  their  sins; 

21  Being  filled  with  great  joy,  because  of  the  resurrection 
of  the  dead,  according  to  the  will,  and  power,  and  deliverance 
of  Jesus  Christ  from  the  bands  of  death. 

22  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  Alma,  having  seen  the 
afflictions  of  the  humble  followers  of  God,  and  the  persecutions 
which  were  heaped  upon  them  by  the  remainder  of  his  people, 
and  seeing  all  their  inequality,  began  to  be  very  sorrowful; 
nevertheless  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  did  not  fail  him. 

23  And  he  selected  a  wise  man  who  was  among  the  elders 
of  the  church,  and  gave  him  power  according  to  the  voice  of 
the  people,  that  he  might  have  power  to  enact  laws  according 
to  the  laws  which  had  been  given,  and  to  put  them  in  force, 
according  to  the  wickedness  and  the  crimes  of  the  people. 

24  Now  this  man's  name  was  Nephihah,  and  he  was  ap- 
pointed chief  judge;  and  he  sat  in  the  judgment  seat,  to  judge 
and  to  govern  the  people. 

25  Now  Alma  did  not  grant  unto  him  the  office  of  being 
high  priest  over  the  church,  but  he  retained  the  office  of  high 
priest  unto  himself;  but  he  delivered  the  judgment  seat  unto 
Nephihah : 

26  And  this  he  did,  that  he  himself  might  go  forth  among 
his  people,  or  among  the  people  of  Nephi,  that  he  might 
preach  the  word  of  God  unto  them,  to  stir  them  up  in  remem- 
brance of  their  duty, 

27  And  that  he  might  pull  down,  by  the  word  of  God,  all 
the  pride  and  craftiness,  and  all  the  contentions  which  were 
among  his  people,  seeing  no  way  that  he  might  reclaim  them, 
save  it  were  in  bearing  down  in  pure  testimony  against  them. 

28  And  thus  in  the  commencement  of  the  ninth  year  of  the 


CHAP.  3.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  313 

reign  of  the  Judges  over  the  people  of  Nephi,  Alma  delivered 
up  the  judgment  seat  to  Nephihah,  and  confined  himself 
wholly  to  the  high  priesthood  of  the  holy  order  of  God,  to  the 
testimony  of  the  word,  according  to  the  spirit  of  revelation 
and  prophecy. 


CHAPTER  3. 

The  words  which  Alma,  the  High  Priest,  according  to  the 
holy  order  of  God,  delivered  to  the  people  in  their  cities 
and  villages  throughout  the  land. 

1  ^Now  it  came  to  pass  that  Alma  began  to  deliver  the 
word  of  God  unto  the  people,  first  in  the  land  of  Zarahemla, 
and  from  thence  throughout  all  the  land. 

2  And  these  are  the  words  which  he  spake  to  the  people  in 
the  church  which  was  established  in  the  city  of  Zarahemla, 
according  to  his  own  record,  saying: 

3  I,  Alma,  having  been  consecrated  by  my  father  Alma,  to 
be  a  high  priest  over  the  church  of  God,  he  having  power  and 
authority  from  God  to  do  these  things,  behold,  I  say  unto  you, 
that  he  began  to  establish  a  church  in  the  land  which  was  in 
the  borders  of  Nephi; 

4  Yea,  the  land  which  was  called  the  land  of  Mormon; 
yea,  and  he  did  baptize  his  brethren  in  the  waters  of  Mormon. 

5  And  behold,  I  say  unto  you,  They  were  delivered  out  of 
the  hands  of  the  people  of  King  Noah,  by  the  mercy  and 
power  of  God. 

6  And  behold,  after  that,  they  were  brought  into  bondage 
by  the  hands  of  the  Lamanites,  in  the  wilderness;  yea,  I  say 
unto  you,  They  were  in  captivity,  and  again  the  Lord  did  de- 
liver them  out  of  bondage  by  the  power  of  his  word; 

7  And  we  were  brought  into  this  land  and  here  we  began 
to  establish  the  church  of  God  throughout  this  land  also. 

8  And  now  behold,  I  say  unto  you,  my  brethren,  you  that 
belong  to  this  church.  Have  you  sufficiently  retained  in  re- 
membrance the  captivity  of  your  fathers? 

9  Yea,  and  have  you  sufficiently  retained  in  remembrance 
his  mercy  and  long  suffering  towards  them? 


314  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  3. 

10  And  moreover,  have  ye  sufficiently  retained  in  remem- 
brance that  he  has  delivered  their  souls  from  hell? 

11  Behold,  he  changed  their  hearts;  yea,  he  awaked  them 
out  of  a  deep  sleep,  and  they  awoke  unto  God. 

12  Behold  they  were  in  the  midst  of  darkness;  neverthe- 
less, their  souls  were  illuminated  by  the  light  of  the  ever- 
lasting word; 

13  Yea,  they  were  encircled  about  by  the  bands  of  death, 
and  the  chains  of  hell,  and  an  everlasting  destruction  did 
await  them. 

14  And  now  I  ask  of  you  my  brethren.  Were  they  de- 
stroyed? 

15  Behold,  I  say  unto  you,  Nay,  they  were  not. 

16  And  again  I  ask.  Were  the  bands  of  death  broken,  and 
the  chains  of  hell  which  encircled  them  about,  were  they 
loosed? 

17  I  say  unto  you.  Yea,  they  were  loosed,  and  their  souls 
did  expand,  and  they  did  sing  redeeming  love. 

18  And  I  say  unto  you  that  they  are  saved. 

19  And  now  I  ask  of  you  on  what  conditions  are  they  saved? 
Yea,  what  grounds  had  they  to  hope  for  salvation? 

20  What  is  the  cause  of  their  being  loosed  from  the  bands 
of  death?     Yea,  and  also,,  the  chains  of  hell? 

21  Behold,  I  can  tell  you :  Did  not  my  father  Alma  believe 
in  the  words  which  were  delivered  by  the  mouth  of  Abinadi? 
And  was  he  not  a  holy  prophet? 

22  Did  he  not  speak  the  words  of  God,  and  my  father 
Alma  believe  them? 

23  And  according  to  his  faith  there  was  a  mighty  change 
wrought  in  his  heart. 

24  Behold  I  say  unto  you,  that  this  is  all  true. 

25  And  behold,  he  preached  the  word  unto  your  fathers,  and 
a  mighty  change  was  also  wrought  in  their  hearts;  and  they 
humbled  themselves,  and  put  their  trust  in  the  true  and  living 
God. 

26  And  behold,  they  were  faithful  until  the  end;  therefore 
they  were  saved. 


CHAP.  3.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  315 

27  And  now  behold,  I  ask  of  you,  my  brethren  of  the 
church,  Have  ye  spiritually  been  born  of  God? 

28  Have  ye  received  his  image  in  your  countenances? 

29  Have  ye  experienced  this  mighty  change  in  your  hearts? 

30  Do  ye  exercise  faith  in  the  redemption  of  him  who 
created  you? 

31  Do  you  look  forward  with  an  eye  of  faith,  and  view  this 
mortal  body  raised  in  immortality,  and  this  corruption  raised 
in  incorruption,  to  stand  before  God,  to  be  judged  according 
to  the  deeds  which  have  been  done  in  the  mortal  body? 

32  I  say  unto  you.  Can  you  imagine  to  yourselves  that  ye 
hear  the  voice  of  the  Lord,  saying  unto  you,  in  that  day. 
Come  unto  me  ye  blessed,  for  behold,  your  works  have  been 
the  works  of  righteousness  upon  the  face  of  the  earth? 

33  Or  do  ye  imagine  to  yourselves  that  ye  can  lie  unto  the 
Lord  in  that  day,  and  say,  Lord,  our  works  have  been  right- 
eous works  upon  the  face  of  the  earth,  and  that  he  will  save 
you? 

34  Or  otherwise,  can  ye  imagine  yourselves  brought  be- 
fore the  tribunal  of  God,  with  your  souls  filled  with  guilt  and 
remorse;  having  a  remembrance  of  all  your  guilt; 

35  Yea,  a  perfect  remembrance  of  all  your  wickedness;  yea, 
a  remembrance  that  ye  have  set  at  defiance  the  command- 
ments of  God? 

36  I  say  unto  you.  Can  ye  look  up  to  God  at  that  day  with 
a  pure  heart  and  clean  hands? 

37  I  say  unto  you.  Can  you  look  up,  having  the  image  of 
God  engraven  upon  your  countenances? 

38  I  say  unto  you.  Can  ye  think  of  being  saved  when  you 
have  yielded  yourselves  to  become  subjects  to  the  devil? 

39  I  say  unto  you.  Ye  will  know  at  that  day,  that  ye  can 
not  be  saved:  for  there  can  no  man  be  saved  except  his  gar- 
ments are  washed  white: 

40  Yea,  his  garments  must  be  purified  until  they  are 
cleansed- from  all  stain,  through  the  blood  of  him  of  whom  it 
has  been  spoken  by  our  fathers  who  should  come  to  redeem 
his  people  from  their  sins. 

41  And  now  I  ask  of  you,  my  brethren.  How  will  any  of 


316  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  3. 

you  feel,  if  ye  shall  stand  before  the  bar  of  God,  having-  your 
g'arments  stained  with  blood,  and  all  manner  of  filthiness? 

42  Behold,  what  will  these  things  testify  against  you? 

43  Behold,  will  they  not  testify  that  ye  are  murderers,  yea, 
and  also  that  ye  are  guilty  of  all  manner  of  wickedness? 

44  Behold,  my  brethren,  do  ye  suppose  that  such  an  one 
can  have  a  place  to  sit  down  in  the  kingdom  of  God,  with 
Abraham,  with  Isaac,  and  with  Jacob,  and  also  all  the  holy 
prophets,  whose  garments  are  cleansed,  and  are  spotless, 
pure,  and  white? 

45  I  say  unto  you,  Nay,  except  ye  make  our  Creator  a  liar 
from  the  beginning,  or  suppose  that  he  is  a  liar  from  the 
beginning,  ye  can  not  suppose  that  such  can  have  place  in 
the  kingdom  of  heaven,  but  they  shall.be  cast  out,  for  they 
are  the  children  of  the  kingdom  of  the  devil. 

46  And  now  behold,  I  say  unto  you  my  brethren.  If  ye  have 
experienced  a  change  of  heart,  and  if  ye  have  felt  to  sing 
the  song  of  redeeming  love,  I  would  ask.  Can  ye  feel  so  now? 

47  Have  ye  walked,  keeping  yourselves  blameless  before 
God? 

48  Could  ye  say,  if  ye  were  called  to  die  at  this  time,  within 
yourselves,  that  ye  have  been  sufficiently  humble? 

49  That  your  garments  have  been  cleansed  and  made  white, 
through  the  blood  of  Christ,  who  will  come  to  redeem  his  peo- 
ple from  their  sins? 

50  Behold,  are  ye  stripped  of  pride?  I  say  unto  you.  If  ye 
are  not,  ye  are  not  prepared  to  meet  God. 

51  Behold  ye  must  prepare  quickly,  for  the  kingdom  of 
heaven  is  soon  at  hand,  and  such  an  one  hath  not  eternal  life. 

52  Behold,  I  say.  Is  there  one  among  you  who  is  not  stripped 
of  envy? 

53  I  say  unto  you,  that  such  an  one  is  not  prepared,  and  I 
would  that  he  should  prepare  quickly,  for  the  hour  is  close  at 
hand,  and  he  knoweth  not  when  the  time  shall  come;  for  such 
an  one  is  not  found  guiltless. 

54  And  again  I  say  unto  you,  Is  there  one  among  you  that 
doth  make  a  mock  of  his  brother,  or  that  heapeth  upon  him 
persecutions? 


CHAP.  3.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  317 

55  Wo  unto  such  an  one,  for  he  is  not  prepared,  and  the 
time  is  at  hand  that  he  must  repent,  or  he  can  not  be  saved; 

56  Yea,  even  wo  unto  all  ye  workers  of  iniquity;  repent, 
repent,  for  the  Lord  God  hath  spoken  it. 

57  Behold,  he  sendeth  an  invitation  unto  all  men;  for  the 
arms  of  mercy  are  extended  towards  them,  and  he  saith, 
Repent,  and  I  will  receive  you; 

58  Yea,  he  saith.  Come  unto  me  and  ye  shall  partake  of 
the  fruit  of  the  tree  of  life;  yea,  ye  shall  eat  and  drink  of  the 
bread  and  the  waters  of  life  freely; 

59  Yea,  come  unto  me  and  bring  forth  works  of  righteous- 
ness, and  ye  shall  not  be  hewn  down  and  cast  into  the  fire; 

60  For  behold,  the  time  is  at  hand  that  whosoever  bring- 
eth  forth  not  good  fruit,  or  whosoever  doeth  not  the  works  of 
righteousness,  the  same  have  cause  to  wail  and  mourn. 

61  O  ye  workers  of  iniquity;  ye  that  are  puffed  up  in  the 
vain  things  of  the  world;  ye  that  have  professed  to  have 
known  the  ways  of  righteousness;  nevertheless  have  gone 
astray,  as  sheep  having  no  shepherd,  notwithstanding  a  shep- 
herd hath  called  after  you,  and  art  still  calling  after  you,  but 
ye  will  not  hearken  unto  his  voice. 

62  Behold,  I  say  unto  you,  that  the  good  shepherd  doth  call 
you;  yea,  and  in  his  own  name  he  doth  call  you,  which  is  the 
name  of  Christ; 

63  And  if  ye  will  not  hearken  unto  the  voice  of  the  good 
shepherd,  to  the  name  by  which  ye  are  called,  behold,  ye  are 
not  the  sheep  of  the  good  shepherd. 

64  And  now  if  ye  are  not  the  sheep  of  the  good  shepherd, 
of  what  fold  are  ye? 

65  Behold,  I  say  unto  you,  that  the  devil  is  your  shepherd, 
and  ye  are  of  his  fold;  and  now  who  can  deny  this? 

QQ  Behold,  I  say  unto  you.  Whosoever  denieth  this,  is  a  liar 
and  a  child  of  the  devil; 

67  For  I  say  unto  you,  that  whatsoever  is  good,  cometh 
from  God,  and  whatsoever  is  evil,  cometh  from  the  devil; 

68  Therefore,  if  a  man  bringeth  forth  good  works,  he 
hearkeneth  unto  the  voice  of  the  good  shepherd;  and  he  doth 
follow  him: 


318  BOOK    OF    ALMA..  [chap.  3. 

69  But  whosoever  bringeth  forth  evil  works,  the  same  be- 
cometh  a  child  of  the  devil ;  for  he  hearkeneth  unto  his  voice, 
and  doth  follow  him. 

70  And  whosoever  doeth  this  must  receive  his  wages  of 
him;  therefore,  for  his  wages  he  receiveth  death,  as  to  things 
pertaining  unto  righteousness,  being  dead  unto  all  good 
works. 

71  And  now  my  brethren,  I  would  that  ye  should  hear  me, 
for  I  speak  in  the  energy  of  my  soul; 

72  For  behold,  I  have  spoken  unto  you  plain,  that  ye  can 
not  err,  or  have  spoken  according  to  the  commandments  of 
God. 

73  For  I  am  called  to  speak  after  this  manner,  according 
to  the  holy  order  of  God,  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus: 

74  Yea,  I  am  commanded  to  stand  and  testify  unto  this 
people  the  things  which  have  been  spoken  by  our  fathers, 
concerning  the  things  which  are  to  come. 

75  And  this  is  not  all.  Do  ye  not  suppose  that  I  know  of 
these  things  myself? 

76  Behold,  I  testify  unto  you,  that  I  do  know  that  these 
things  whereof  I  have  spoken,  are  true. 

77  And  how  do  ye  suppose  that  I  know  of  their  surety? 

78  Behold,  I  say  unto  you,  They  are  made  known  unto  me 
by  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God. 

79  Behold,  I  have  fasted  and  prayed  many  days,  that  I 
might  know  these  things  of  myself. 

80  And  nov/  I  do  know  of  myself  that  they  are  true;  for 
the  Lord  God  hath  made  them  manifest  unto  me  by  his  Holy 
Spirit;  and  this  is  the  spirit  of  revelation  which  is  in  me. 

81  And  moreover,  I  say  unto  you,  that  as  it  has  thus  been 
revealed  unto  me,  that  the  words  which  have  been  spoken  by 
our  fathers,  are  true, 

82  Even  so  according  to  the  spirit  of  prophecy,  which  is  in 
me,  which  is  also  by  the  manifestation  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  I 
say  unto  you,  that  I  know  of  myself  that  whatsoever  I  shall 
say  unto  you  concerning  that  which  is  to  come,  is  true, 

83  And  I  say  unto  you,  that  I  know  that  Jesus  Christ  shall 


CHAP.  3.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  319 

come;  yea,  the  Son,  the  only  begotten  of  the  Father,  full  of 
gr^ce,  and  mercy,  and  truth. 

84  And  behold,  it  is  he  that  cometh  to  take  away  the  sins 
of  the  world;  yea,  the  sins  of  every  man  who  steadfastly  be- 
lieveth  on  his  name. 

85  IJAnd  now  I  say  unto  you,  that  this  is  the  order  after 
which  I  am  called;  yea,  to  preach  unto  my  beloved  brethren; 
yea,  and  every  one  that  dwelleth  in  the  land; 

86  Yea,  to  preach  unto  all,  both  old  and  young,  both  bond 
and  free;  yea,  I  say  unto  you,  the  aged,  and  also  the  middle 
aged,  and  the  rising  generation;  yea,  to  cry  unto  them  that 
they  must  repent  and  be  born  again; 

87  Yea,  thus  saith  the  Spirit,  Repent  all  ye  ends  of  the 
earth,  for  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  soon  at  hand;  yea,  the 
Son  of  God  cometh  in  his  glory,  in  his  might,  majesty,  power 
and   dominion. 

88  Yea,  my  beloved  brethren,  I  say  unto  you,  that  the 
Spirit  saith.  Behold,  the  glory  of  the  King  of  all  the  earth; 
and  also  the  King  of  heaven  shall  very  soon  shine  forth  among 
all  the  children  of  men; 

89  And  also  the  Spirit  saith  unto  me,  yea,  crieth  unto  me 
with  a  mighty  voice,  saying.  Go  forth  and  say  unto  this  people. 
Repent,  for  except  ye  repent,  ye  can  in  no  wise  inherit  the 
kingdom  of  heaven. 

90  And  again  I  say  unto  you,  the  Spirit  saith.  Behold,  the 
ax  is  laid  at  the  root  of  the  tree;  therefore  every  tree  that 
bringeth  not  forth  good  fruit,  shall  be  hewn  down  and  cast 
into  the  fire;  yea,  a  nre  which  can  not  be  consumed;  even  an 
unquenchable  fire. 

91  Behold,  and  remember,  the  Holy  One  hath  spoken  it. 

92  And  now  my  beloved  brethren,  I  say  unto  you,  Can  ye 
withstand  these  sayings;  yea,  can  ye  lay  aside  these  things, 
and  trample  the  Holy  One  under  your  feet; 

93  Yea,  can  ye  be  puffed  up  in  the  pride  of  your  hearts; 
yea,  will  ye  still  persist  in  the  wearing  of  costly  apparel,  and 
setting  your  hearts  upon  the  vain  things  of  the  world,  upon 
your  riches; 


320  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  3. 

94  Yea,  will  ye  persist  in  supposing  that  ye  arc  better  one 
than  another; 

95  Yea,  will  ye  persist  in  the  persecutions  of  your  brethren, 
who  humble  themselves,  and  do  walk  after  the  holy  order  of 
God,  wherewith  they  have  been  brought  into  this  church, 
having  been  sanctified  by  the  Holy  Spirit;  and  they  do  bring 
forth  works  which  are  meet  for  repentance; 

96  Yea,  and  will  you  persist  in  turning  your  backs  upon 
the  poor,  and  the  needy,  and  in  withholding  your  substance 
from  them? 

97  And  finally,  all  ye  that  will  persist  in  your  wickedness, 
I  say  unto  you,  that  these  are  they  who  shall  be  hewn  down 
and  cast  into  the  fire,  except  they  speedily  repent. 

98  ^And  now  I  say  unto  you,  all  you  that  are  desirous  to 
follow  the  voice  of  the  good  shepherd,  come  ye  out  from  the 
wicked,  and  be  ye  separate,  and  touch  not  their  unclean 
things ; 

99  And  behold,  their  names  shall  be  blotted  out,  that  the 
names  of  the  wicked  shall  not  be  numbered  among  the  names 
of  the  righteous,  that  the  word  of  God  may  be  fulfilled,  which 
saith,  The  names  of  the  wicked  shall  not  be  mingled  with  the 
names  of  my  people. 

100  For  the  names  of  the  righteous  shall  be  written  in  the 
book  of  life;  and  unto  them  will  I  grant  an  inheritance  at  my 
right  hand. 

101  And  now  my  brethren,  What  have  ye  to  say  against 
this? 

102  I  say  unto  you,  If  ye  speak  against  it,  it  matters  not, 
for  the  word  of  God  must  be  fulfilled. 

103  For  what  shepherd  is  there  among  you  having  many 
sheep,  doth  not  watch  over  them,  that  the  wolves  enter  not 
and  devour  his  flock? 

104  And  behold,  if  a  wolf  enter  his  flock,  doth  he  not  drive 
him  out?    Yea,  and  at  the  last,  if  he  can,  he  will  destroy  him. 

105  And  now  I  say  unto  you,  that  the  good  shepherd  doth 
call  after  you;  and  if  you  will  hearken  unto  his  voice,  he  will 
bring  you  into  his  fold,  and  ye  are  his  sheep; 


CHAP.  4.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  321 

lOG  And  he  commandeth  you  that  ye  suffer  no  ravenous 
wolf  to  enter  among-  you,  that  ye  may  not  be  destroyed. 

107  IJAnd  now,  I,  Alma,  do  command  you  in  the  language 
of  him  who  hath  commanded  me,  that  ye  observe  to  do  the 
words  which  I  have  spoken  unto  you. 

108  I  speak  by  way  of  command  unto  you  that  belong  to 
the  church;  and  unto  those  who  do  not  belong  to  the  church, 
I  speak  by  way  of  invitation,  saying,  Come,  and  be  baptized 
unto  repentance,  that  ye  also  may  be  partakers  of  the  fruit 
of  the  tree  of  life. 


CHAPTER  4. 

1  TJAnd  now  it  came  to  pass  that  after  Alma  had  made  an 
end  of  speaking  unto  the  people  of  the  church,  which  was 
established  in  the  city  of  Zarahemla,  he  ordained  priests  and 
elders,  by  laying  on  his  hands  according  to  the  order  of  God, 
to  preside  and  watch  over  the  church. 

2  And  it  came  to  pass  that  whosoever  did  not  belong  to  the 
church  who  repented  of  their  sins,  were  baptized  unto  repent- 
ance, and  were  received  into  the  church. 

3  And  it  also  came  to  pass  that  whosoever  did  belong  to  the 
church,  that  did  not  repent  of  their  wickedness,  and  humble 
themselves  before  God; 

4  I  mean  those  who  were  lifted  up  in  the  pride  of  their 
hearts;  the  same  were  rejected,  and  their  names  were  blotted 
out,  that  their  names  were  not  numbered  among  those  of  the 
righteous;  and  thus  they  began  to  establish  the  order  of  the 
church  in  the  city  of  Zarahemla. 

5  Now  I  would  that  ye  should  understand  that  the  word  of 
God  was  liberal  unto  all;  that  none  were  deprived  of  the 
privilege  of  assembling  themselves  together  to  hear  the  word 
of  God; 

6  Nevertheless  the  children  of  God  were  commanded  that 
they  should  gather  themselves  together  oft,  and  join  in  fast- 
ing and  mighty  prayer,  in  behalf  of  the  welfare  of  the  souls 
of  those  who  knew  not  God. 

7  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Alma  had  made 


322  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.   5. 

these    rej^ulations,    he    departed    from    them,    yea,    fi-om    the 
church  which  was  in  the  city  of  Zarahemla, 

8  And  went  over  upon  the  east  of  the  river  Sidon,  into  the 
valley  of  Gideon,  there  having  been  a  city  built  which  was 
called  the  city  of  Gideon,  which  was  in  the  valley  that  was 
called  Gideon,  being  called  after  the  man  who  was  slain  by 
the  hand  of  Nehor  with  the  sword. 

9  And  Alma  went  and  began  to  declare  the  word  of  God 
unto  the  church  which  was  established  in  the  valley  of  Gideon, 
according  to  the  revelation  of  the  truth  of  the  word  which 
had  been  spoken  by  his  fathers, 

10  And  according  to  the  spirit  of  prophecy  which  was  in 
him,  according  to  the  testimony  of  Jesus  Christ,  the  Son  of 
God,  who  should  come  to  redeem  his  people  from  their  sins, 
and  the  holy  order  by  which  he  was  called.  And  thus  it  is 
written.    Amen. 


CHAPTER   5.^ 

The  ivords  of  Alma  which  he  delivered  to  the  people  in  Gideon, 
according  to  his  own  record. 

1  ^Behold  my  beloved  brethren,  seeing  that  I  have  been 
permitted  to  come  unto  you,  therefore  I  attempt  to  address 
you  in  my  language; 

2  Yea,  by  my  own  mouth,  seeing  that  it  is  the  first  time 
that  I  have  spoken  unto  you  by  the  words  of  my  mouth,  I 
having  been  wholly  confined  to  the  judgment  seat,  having  had 
much  business  that  I  could  not  come  unto  you; 

3  And  even  I  could  not  have  come  now  at  this  time,  were 
it  not  that  the  judgment  seat  hath  been  given  to  another  to 
reign  in  my  stead;  and  the  Lord  in  much  mercy  hath  granted 
that  I  should  come  unto  you. 

4  And  behold,  I  have  come,  having  great  hopes  and  much 
desire  that  I  should  find  that  ye  had  humbled  yourselves  be- 
fore God,  and  that  ye  had  continued  in  the  supplicating  of  his 
grace,  that  I  should  find  that  ye  were  blameless  before  him; 

5  That  I  should  find  that  ye  were  not  in  the  awful  dilemma 
that  our  brethren  were  in  at  Zarahemla; 


CHAP.   5.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  323 

6  But  blessed  be  the  name  of  God,  that  he  hath  given  me  to 
know,  yea,  hath  given  unto  me  the  exceeding  great  joy  of 
knowing  that  they  are  established  again  in  the  way  of  his 
righteousness. 

7  And  I  trust,  according  to  the  Spirit  of  God  which  is  in 
me,  that  I  shall  also  have  joy  over  you; 

8  Nevertheless  I  do  not  desire  that  my  joy  over  you  should 
come  by  the  cause  of  so  much  afflictions  and  sorrow  which  I 
have  had  for  the  brethren  at  Zarahemla; 

9  For  behold,  my  joy  cometh  over  them  after  wading 
through  much  afflictions  and  sorrow. 

10  But  behold,  I  trust  that  ye  are  not  in  a  state  of  so 
much  unbelief  as  were  your  brethren: 

11  I  trust  that  ye  are  not  lifted  up  in  the  pride  of  your 
hearts;  yea,  I  trust  that  ye  have  not  set  your  hearts  upon 
riches,  and  the  vain  things  of  the  world; 

12  Yea,  I  trust  that  you  do  not  worship  idols,  but  that  ye 
do  worship  the  true  and  the  living  God,  and  that  ye  look  for- 
ward for  the  remission  of  your  sins  with  an  everlasting  faith 
which  is  to  come. 

13  For  behold,  I  say  unto  you,  There  be  many  things  to 
come;  and  behold,  there  is  one  thing  which  is  of  more  im- 
portance than  they  all: 

14  For  behold,  the  time  is  not  far  distant,  that  the  Re- 
deemer liveth  and  cometh  among  his  people. 

15  Behold,  I  do  not  say  that  he  will  come  among  us  at  the 
time  of  his  dwelling  in  his  mortal  tabernacle;  for  behold,  the 
Spirit  hath  not  said  unto  me  that  this  should  be  the  case. 

16  Now  as  to  this  thing  I  do  not  know;  but  this  much  I  do 
know,  that  the  Lord  God  hath  power  to  do  all  things  which 
are  according  to  his  word. 

17  But  behold,  the  Spirit  hath  said  this  m.uch  unto  me,  say- 
ing: Cry  unto  this  people,  saying,  Repent  ye,  repent  ye  and 
prepare  the  way  of  the  Lord,  and  walk  in  his  paths,  which 
are  straight: 

18  For  behold,  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  at  hand,  and  the 
Son  of  God  cometh  upon  the  face  of  the  earth. 

19  And  behold,   he   shall   be  born   of  Mary  at  Jerusalem, 


324  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.   5. 

which  is  the  land  of  our  forefathers,  she  being  a  virgin,  a  pre- 
cious and  chosen  vessel,  who  shall  be  overshadowed,  and  con- 
ceive by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  bring  forth  a  son, 
yea,  even  the  Son  of  God; 

20  And  he  shall  go  forth,  suffering  pains,  and  afflictions, 
and  temptations  of  every  kind; 

21  And  this  that  the  word  might  be  fulfilled  which  saith. 
He  will  take  upon  him  the  pains  and  the  sicknesses  of  his  peo- 
ple; and  he  will  take  upon  him  death,  that  he  may  loose  the 
bands  of  death  which  bind  his  people: 

22  And  he  will  take  upon  him  their  infirmities,  that  his 
bowels  may  be  filled  with  mercy,  according  to  the  flesh,  that 
he  may  know  according  to  the  flesh  how  to  succor  his  people 
according  to  their  infirmities. 

23  Now  the  Spirit  knoweth  all  things;  nevertheless  the  Son 
of  God  suffereth  according  to  the  flesh,  that  he  might  take 
upon  him  the  sins  of  his  people,  that  he  might  blot  out  their 
transgressions,  according  to  the  power  of  his  deliverance;  and 
now  behold,  this  is  the  testimony  which  is  in  me. 

24  Now  I  say  unto  you,  that  ye  must  repent,  and  be  born 
again:  for  the  Spirit  saith,  If  ye  are  not  born  again,  ye  can 
not  inherit  the  kingdom  of  heaven; 

25  Therefore  come  and  be  baptized  unto  repentance,  that  ye 
may  be  washed  from  your  sins,  that  ye  may  have  faith  on  the 
Lamb  of  God,  who  taketh  away  the  sins  of  the  world,  who  is 
mighty  to  save  and  to  cleanse  from  all  unrighteousness; 

26  Yea,  I  say  unto  you,  Come  and  fear  not,  and  lay  aside 
every  sin,  which  easily  doth  beset  you,  which  doth  bind  you 
down  to  destruction; 

27  Yea,  come  and  go  forth,  and  shew  unto  your  God  that 
ye  are  willing  to  repent  of  your  sins,  and  enter  into  a  cove- 
nant with  him  to  keep  his  commandments,  and  witness  it  unto 
him  this  day,  by  going  into  the  waters  of  baptism; 

28  And  whosoever  doeth  this,  and  keepeth  the  command- 
ments of  God  from  thenceforth,  the  same  will  remember  that 
I  say  unto  him,  yea,  he  will  remember  that  I  have  said  unto 
him,  he  shall  have  eternal  life,  according  to  the  testimony  of 
the  Holy  Spirit,  which  testifleth  in  me. 


CHAP.   5.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  325 

29  And  now  my  beloved  brethren,  do  you  believe  these 
things? 

30  Behold,  I  say  unto  you,  Yea,  I  know  that  ye  believe 
them;  and  the  way  that  I  know  that  ye  believe  them,  is  by 
the  manifestation  of  the  Spirit  which  is  in  me. 

31  And  now  because  your  faith  is  strong  concerning  that, 
yea,  concerning  the  things  which  I  have  spoken,  great  is  my 
joy. 

32  For  as  I  said  unto  you  from  the  beginning,  that  I  had 
much  desire  that  ye  were  not  in  the  state  of  dilemma  like 
your  brethren,  even  so  I  have  found  that  my  desires  have 
been  gratified. 

33  For  I  perceive  that  ye  are  in  the  paths  of  righteous- 
ness: I  perceive  that  ye  are  in  the  path  which  leads  to  the 
kingdom  of  God; 

34  Yea,  I  perceive  that  ye  are  making  his  paths  straight,  I 
perceive  that  it  has  been  made  known  unto  you  by  the  testi- 
mony of  his  word,  that  he  can  not  walk  in  crooked  paths; 

35  Neither  doth  he  vary  from  that  which  he  hath  said; 
neither  hath  he  a  shadow  of  turning  from  the  right  to  the 
left,  or  from  that  which  is  right  to  that  which  is  wrong;  there- 
fore, his  course  is  one  eternal  round. 

36  And  he  doth  not  dwell  in  unholy  temples;  neither  can 
filthiness,  or  anything  which  is  unclean  be  received  into  the 
kingdom  of  God; 

37  Therefore  I  say  unto  you.  The  time  shall  come,  yea,  and 
it  shall  be  at  the  last  day,  that  he  who  is  filthy,  shall  remain 
in  his  filthiness. 

38  ^And  now  my  beloved  brethren,  I  have  said  these  things 
unto  you,  that  I  might  awaken  you  to  a  sense  of  your  duty 
to  God,  that  ye  may  walk  blameless  before  him;  that  ye  may 
walk  after  the  holy  order  of  God,  after  which  ye  have  been 
received. 

39  And  now  I  would  that  ye  should  be  humble,  and  be  sub- 
missive, and  gentle;  easy  to  be  entreated;  full  of  patience  and 
long  suffering;  being  temperate  in  all  things;  being  diligent 
in  keeping  the  commandments  of  God  at  all  times; 

40  Asking   for   whatsoever   things   ye   stan.d   in   need,   both 


326  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  6. 

spiritual  and  temporal;   always  returning  thanks  unto   God 
for  whatsoever  things  ye  do  receive, 

41  And  see  that  ye  have  faith,  hope  and  charity,  and  then 
ye  will  always  abound  in  good  works; 

42  And  may  the  Lord  bless  you,  and  keep  your  garments 
spotless,  that  ye  may  at  last  be  brought  to  sit  down  with 
Abraham,  Isaac  and  Jacob,  and  the  holy  prophets  who  have 
been  ever  since  the  world  began,  having  your  garments  spot- 
less, even  as  their  garments  are  spotless  in  the  kingdom  of 
heaven,  to  go  no  more  out. 

43  TJAnd  now  my  beloved  brethren,  I  have  spoken  these 
words  unto  you,  according  to  the  Spirit  which  testifieth  in  me; 
and  my  soul  doth  exceedingly  rejoice,  because  of  the  exceed- 
ing diligence  and  heed  which  ye  have  given  unto  my  word. 

44  And  now,  may  the  peace  of  God  rest  upon  you,  and  upon 
your  houses  and  lands,  and  upon  your  flocks  and  herds,  and 
all  that  you  possess;  your  women  and  your  children,  accord- 
ing to  your  faith  and  good  works,  from  this  time  forth  and 
for  ever.     And  thus  I  have  spoken.    Amen. 


CHAPTER  6. 

1  TJAnd  now  it  came  to  pass  that  Alma  returned  from  the 
land  of  Gideon,  after  having  taught  the  people  of  Gideon 
many  things  which  can  not  be  written,  having  established 
the  order  of  the  church,  according  as  he  had  before  done  in 
the  land  of  Zarahemla; 

2  Yea,  he  returned  to  his  own  house  at  Zarahemla  to  rest 
himself  from  the  labors  which  he  had  performed. 

3  And  thus  ended  the  ninth  year  of  the  reign  of  the  Judges 
over  the  people  of  Nephi. 

4  ^And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  commencement  of  the  tenth 
year  of  the  reign  of  the  Judges  over  the  people  of  Nephi,  that 
Alma  departed  from  thence,  and  took  his  journey  over  into 
the  land  of  Melek,  on  the  west  of  the  river  Sidon,  on  the  west, 
by  the  borders  of  the  wilderness; 

5  And  he  began  to  teach  the  people  in  the  land  of  Melek, 


CHAP.  6.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  327 

according  to  the  holy  order  of  God  by  which  he  had  been 
called;  and  he  began  to  teach  the  people  throughout  all  the 
land  of  Melek. 

6  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  people  came  to  him  through- 
out all  the  borders  of  the  land  which  was  by  the  wilderness 
side. 

7  And  they  were  baptized  throughout  all  the  land,  so  that 
when  he  had  finished  his  work  at  Melek,  he  departed  thence, 
and  traveled  three  days'  journey  on  the  north  of  the  land  of 
Melek;  and  he  came  to  a  city  which  was  called  Ammonihah. 

8  Now  it  was  the  custom  of  the  people  of  Nephi,  to  call 
their  lands,  and  their  cities,  and  their  villages,  yea,  even  all 
their  small  villages,  after  the  name  of  him  who  first  pos- 
sessed them;  and  thus  it  was  with  the  land  of  Ammonihah. 

9  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Alma  had  come  to  the 
city  of  Ammonihah,  he  began  to  preach  the  word  of  God  unto 
them. 

10  Now  Satan  had  gotten  great  hold  upon  the  hearts  of 
the  people  of  the  city  of  Ammonihah;  therefore  they  would 
not  hearken  unto  the  words  of  Alma. 

11  Nevertheless  Alma  labored  much  in  the  spirit,  wrestling 
with  God  in  mighty  prayer,  that  he  would  pour  out  his  Spirit 
upon  the  people  who  were  in  the  city:  that  he  would  also 
grant  that  he  might  baptize  them  unto  repentance; 

12  Nevertheless,  they  hardened  their  hearts,  saying  unto 
him.  Behold,  we  know  that  thou  art  Alma ;  and  we  know  that 
thou  art  high  priest  over  the  church  which  thou  hast  estab- 
lished in  many  parts  of  the  land,  according  to  your  tradition ; 

13  And  we  are  not  of  thy  church,  and  we  do  not  believe  in 
such  foolish  traditions. 

14  And  now  we  know  that  because  we  are  not  of  thy 
church,  we  know  that  thou  hast  no  power  over  us; 

15  And  thou  hast  delivered  up  the  judgment  seat  unto  Ne- 
phihah;  therefore  thou  art  not  the  chief  judge  over  us. 

16  Now  when  the  people  had  said  this,  and  had  withstood 
all  his  words,  and  reviled  him,  and  spit  upon  him,  and  caused 
that  he  should  be  cast  out  of  their  city,  he  departed  thence 
and  took  his  journey  towards  the  city  which  was  called  Aaron. 


328  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  6. 

17  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  while  he  was  journeying 
thither,  being  weighed  down  with  sorrow,  wading  through 
much  tribulation  and  anguish  of  soul,  because  of  the  wicked- 
ness of  the  people  who  were  in  the  city  of  Ammonihah, 

18  It  came  to  pass  that  while  Alma  was  thus  weighed  down 
with  sorrow,  behold  an  angel  of  the  Lord  appeared  unto  him, 
saying.  Blessed  art  thou.  Alma;  therefore  lift  up  thy  head 
and  rejoice,  for  thou  hast  great  cause  to  rejoice: 

19  For  thou  hast  been  faithful  in  keeping  the  command- 
ments of  God  from  the  time  which  thou  received  thy  first 
message  from  him.. 

20  Behold,  I  am  he  that  delivered  it  unto  you;  and  behold, 
I  am  sent  to  command  thee  that  thou  return  to  the  city  of 
Ammonihah,  and  preach  again  unto  the  people  of  the  city; 
yea,  preach  unto  them. 

21  Yea,  say  unto  them,  except  they  repent,  the  Lord  God 
will  destroy  them. 

22  For  behold,  they  do  study  at  this  time  that  they  may 
destroy  the  liberty  of  thy  people,  (for  thus  saith  the  Lord,) 
which  is  contrary  to  the  statutes,  and  judgments,  and  com- 
mandments which  he  has  given  unto  his  people. 

23  ^Now  it  came  to  pass  that  after  Alma  had  received  his 
message  from  the  angel  of  the  Lord,  he  returned  speedily  to 
the  land  of  Ammonihah. 

24  And  he  entered  the  city  by  another  way,  yea,  by  the 
way  which  is  on  the  south  of  the  city  of  Ammonihah. 

25  And  as  he  entered  the  city  he  was  an  hungered,  and  he 
said  to  a  m.an,  Will  ye  give  to  an  humble  servant  of  God 
something  to  eat? 

26  And  the  man  said  unto  him,  I  am  a  Nephite,  and  I  know 
that  thou  art  a  holy  prophet  of  God,  for  thou  art  the  man 
whom  an  angel  said  in  a  vision,  Thou  shalt  receive; 

27  Therefore  go  with  me  into  my  house,  and  I  will  impart 
unto  thee  of  my  food;  and  I  know  that  thou  will  be  a  blessing 
unto  me  and  my  house. 

28  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  man  received  him  into  his 
house;  and  the  man  was  called  Amulek;  and  he  brought  forth 
bread  and  meat,  and  sat  before  Alma. 


CHAP.  6.]  BOOK    OF    AI.MA.  329 

29  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  Alma  ate  bread  and  was 
filled;  and  he  blessed  Amulek  and  his  house,  and  he  gave 
thanks  unto  God. 

30  And  after  he  had  eat  and  was  filled,  he  said  unto  Amu- 
lek, I  am  Alma,  and  am  the  high  priest  over  the  church  of 
God  throughout  the  land. 

31  And  behold,  I  have  been  called  to  preach  the  word  of 
God  among  all  this  people,  according  to  the  spirit  of  revela- 
tion and  prophecy; 

32  And  I  was  in  this  land,  and  they  would  not  receive  me, 
but  they  cast  me  out,  and  I  was  about  to  set  my  back  towards 
this  land  for  ever. 

33  But  behold,  I  have  been  commanded  that  I  should  turn 
again  and  prophesy  unto  this  people,  yea,  and  to  testify 
against  them  concerning  their  iniquities. 

34  And  now  Amulek,  because  thou  hast  fed  me  and  took 
me  in,  thou  art  blessed;  for  I  was  an  hungered,  for  I  had 
fasted  many  days. 

35  And  Alma  tarried  many  days  with  Amulek,  before  he 
began  to  preach  unto  the  people. 

36  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  people  did  wax  more  gross 
in  their  iniquities. 

37  And  the  word  came  to  Alma,  saying,  Go;  and  also  say 
unto  my  servant  Amulek,  Go  forth  and  prophesy  unto  this 
people,  saying.  Repent  ye,  for  thus  saith  the  Lord,  Except  ye 
repent,  I  will  visit  this  people  in  mine  anger;  yea,  and  I  will 
not  turn  my  fierce  anger  away. 

38  And  Alma  went  forth,  and  also  Amulek,  among  the  peo- 
ple to  declare  the  words  of  God  unto  them;  and  they  were 
filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost; 

39  And  they  had  power  given  unto  them,  insomuch  that 
they  could  not  be  confined  in  dungeons;  neither  were  it  pos- 
sible that  any  man  could  slay  them; 

40  Nevertheless  they  did  not  exercise  their  power  until  they 
were  bound  in  bands  and  cast  into  prison. 

41  Now  this  was  done  that  the  Lord  might  shew  forth  his 
power  in  them. 


330  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  7. 

42  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  went  forth  and  began 
to  preach  and  to  prophesy  unto  the  people,  according  to  the 
spirit  and  power  which  the  Lord  had  given  them. 


CHAPTER  7. 

The  words  of  Alma,  and  also  the  words  of  Amulek  which 
were  declared  unto  the  people  who  were  in  the  land  of 
Ammonihah.  And  also  they  are  cast  into  prison,  and  de- 
livered by  the  miraculous  power  of  God  which  was  in  them, 
according  to  the  record  of  Alma. 

1  ^And  again:  I,  Alma,  having  been  commanded  of  God 
that  I  should  take  Amulek  and  go  forth  and  preach  again 
unto  this  people,  or  the  people  who  were  in  the  city  of  Am- 
monihah, it  came  to  pass  as  I  began  to  preach  unto  them, 
they  began  to  contend  with  me,  saying.  Who  art  thou? 

2  Suppose  ye  that  we  shall  believe  the  testimony  of  one 
man,  although  he  should  preach  unto  us  that  the  earth  should 
pass  away? 

3  Now  they  understood  not  the  words  which  they  spake: 
for  they  knew  not  that  the  earth  should  pass  away. 

4  And  they  said  also,  We  will  not  believe  thy  words,  if 
thou  shouldst  prophesy  that  this  great  city  should  be  de- 
stroyed in  one  day. 

5  Now  they  knew  not  that  God  could  do  such  marvelous 
works,  for  they  were  a  hard-hearted  and  stiff-necked  people. 

6  And  they  said,  Who  is  God,  that  sendeth  no  more  au- 
thority than  one  man  among  this  people,  to  declare  unto  them 
the  truth  of  such  great  and  marvelous  things? 

7  And  they  stood  forth  to  lay  their  hands  on  me;  but  be- 
hold, they  did  not. 

8  And  I  stood  with  boldness  to  declare  unto  them,  yea,  I 
did  boldly  testify  unto  them,  saying:  Behold,  O  ye  wicked 
and  perverse  generation,  how  have  ye  forgotten  the  tradition 
of  your  fathers;  yea,  how  soon  ye  have  forgotten  the  com- 
mandments of  God. 


CHAP.  7.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  331 

9  Do  ye  not  remember  that  our  father  Lehi  was  brought 
out  of  Jerusalem  by  the  hand  of  God? 

10  Do  ye  not  remember  that  they  were  all  led  by  him 
through  the  wilderness? 

11  And  have  ye  forgotten  so  soon  how  many  times  he  de- 
livered our  fathers  out  of  the  hands  of  their  enemies,  and 
preserved  them  from  being  destroyed,  even  by  the  hands  of 
their  own  brethren? 

12  Yea,  and  if  it  had  not  been  for  his  matchless  power, 
and  his  mercy,  and  his  long  suffering  towards  us,  we  should 
unavoidably  have  been  cut  off  from  the  face  of  the  earth, 
long  before  this  period  of  time,  and  perhaps  been  consigned 
to  a  state  of  endless  misery  and  wo.  ' 

13  Behold,  now  I  say  unto  you,  that  he  commandeth  you  to 
repent;  and  except  ye  repent,  ye  can  in  no  wise  inherit  the 
kingdom  of  God. 

14  But  behold,  this  is  not  all:  he  has  commanded  you  to 
repent,  or  he  will  utterly  destroy  you  from  off  the  face  of  the 
earth;  yea,  he  will  visit  you  in  his  anger,  and  in  his  fierce 
anger  he  will  not  turn  away. 

15  Behold,  do  ye  not  remember  the  words  which  he  spake 
unto  Lehi,  saying,  that  inasmuch  as  ye  shall  keep  my  com- 
mandments ye  shall  prosper  in  the  land? 

16  And  again  it  is  said,  that  inasmuch  as  ye  will  not  keep 
my  commandments,  ye  shall  be  cut  off  from  the  presence  of 
the  Lord. 

17  Now  I  would  that  ye  should  remember,  that  inasmuch 
as  the  Lamanites  have  not  kept  the  commandments  of  God, 
they  have  been  cut  off  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord. 

18  Now  we  see  that  the  word  of  the  Lord  has  been  verified 
in  this  thing,  and  the  Lamanites  have  been  cut  off  from  his 
presence,  from  the  beginning  of  their  transgressions  in  the 
land. 

19  Nevertheless  I  say  unto  you,  that  it  shall  be  more  tolera- 
ble for  them  in  the  day  of  judgment  than  for  you,  if  ye  re- 
main in  your  sins; 

20  Yea,  and  even  more  tolerable  for  them  in  this  life,  than 


332  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  7. 

for  you,  except  ye  repent,  for  there  are  many  promises  which 
are  extended  to  the  Lamanites: 

21  For  it  is  because  of  the  traditions  of  their  fathers  that 
cause  them  to  remain  in  their  state  of  ignorance;  therefore 
the  Lord  will  be  merciful  unto  them,  and  prolong  their  ex- 
istence in  the  land. 

22  And  at  some  period  of  time  they  will  be  brought  to  be- 
lieve in  his  word,  and  to  know  of  the  incorrectness  of  the 
traditions  of  their  fathers; 

23  And  many  of  them  will  be  saved,  for  the  Lord  will  be 
merciful  unto  all  who  call  on  his  name. 

24  But  behold,  I  say  unto  you,  that  if  ye  persist  in  your 
wickedness,  that  your  days  shall  not  be  prolonged  in  the  land, 
for  the  Lamanites  shall  be  sent  upon  you; 

25  And  if  ye  repent  not,  they  shall  come  in  a  time  when 
you  know  not,  and  ye  shall  be  visited  with  utter  destruction; 

26  And  it  shall  be  according  to  the  fierce  anger  of  the 
Lord;  for  he  will  not  suffer  you  that  ye  shall  live  in  your 
iniquities  to  destroy  his  people. 

27  I  say  unto  you,  Nay;  he  would  rather  suffer  that  the 
Lamanites  might  destroy  all  this  people  who  are  called  the 
people  of  Nephi,  if  it  were  possible  that  they  could  fall  into 
sins  and  transgressions,  after  having  had  so  much  light  and 
so  much  knowledge  given  unto  them  of  the  Lord  their  God; 

28  Yea,  after  having  been  such  a  highly  favored  people  of 
the  Lord;  yea,  after  having  been  favored  above  every  other 
nation,  kindred,  tongue  or  people; 

29  After  having  had  ail  things  made  known  unto  them,  ac- 
cording to  their  desires,  and  their  faith,  and  prayers,  of  that 
which  has  been,  and  which  is,  and  which  is  to  come; 

30  Having  been  visited  by  the  Spirit  of  God;  having  con- 
versed with  angels,  and  having  been  spoken  unto  by  the  voice 
of  the  Lord; 

31  And  having  the  spirit  of  prophecy,  and  the  spirit  of 
revelation,  and  also  many  gifts;  the  gift  of  speaking  with 
tongues,  and  the  gift  of  preaching,  and  the  gift  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  the  gift  of  translation: 


CHAP.  7.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  333 

32  Yea,  and  after  having  been  delivered  of  God  out  of  the 
land  of  Jerusalem,  by  the  hand  of  the  Lord; 

33  Having  been  saved  from  famine,  and  from  sickness,  and 
all  manner  of  diseases  of  every  kind; 

34  And  they  having  been  waxed  strong  in  battle,  that  they 
might  not  be  destroyed;  having  been  brought  out  of  bondage 
time  after  time,  and  having  been  kept  and  preserved  until 
now;  and  they  have  been  prospered  until  they  are  rich  in  all 
manner  of  things. 

35  And  now  behold  I  say  unto  you,  that  if  this  people,  who 
have  received  so  many  blessings  from  the  hand  of  the  Lord, 
should  transgress,  contrary  to  the  light  and  knowledge  which 
they  do  have; 

36  I  say  unto  you,  that  if  this  be  the  case;  that  if  they 
should  fall  into  transgression,  that  it  would  be  far  more 
tolerable  for  the  Lamanites  than  for  them. 

37  For  behold,  the  promises  of  the  Lord  are  extended  to 
the  Lamanites,  but  they  are  not  unto  you,  if  ye  transgress; 

38  For  has  not  the  Lord  expressly  promised  and  firmly  de- 
creed, that  if  ye  will  rebel  against  him,  that  ye  shall  utterly 
be  destroyed  from  off  the  face  of  the  earth? 

39  And  now  for  this  cause,  that  ye  may  not  be  destroyed, 
the  Lord  has  sent  his  angel  to  visit  many  of  his  people,  de- 
claring unto  them  that  they  must  go  forth  an(i  cry  mightily 
unto  this  people,  saying,  Repent  ye,  repent  ye,  for  the  king- 
dom of  heaven  is  nigh  at  hand; 

40  And  not  many  days  hence,  the  Son  of  God  shall  come  in 
his  glory;  and  his  glory  shall  be  the  glory  of  the  Only  Begot- 
ten of  the  Father,  full  of  grace,  equity  and  truth,  full  of 
patience,  mercy,  and  long  suffering,  quick  to  hear  the  cries 
of  his  people,  and  to  answer  their  prayers. 

41  And  behold,  he  cometh  to  redeem  those  who  will  be 
baptized  unto  repentance,  through  faith  on  his  name; 

42  Therefore  prepare  ye  the  way  of  the  Lord,  for  the  time 
is  at  hand  that  all  men  shall  reap  a  reward  of  their  works, 
according  to  that  which  they  have  been: 

43  If  they  have  been  righteous,  they  shall  reap  the  salva- 


334  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  8. 

tion  of  their  souls,  according  to  the  power  and  deliverance  of 
Jesus  Christ; 

44  And  if  they  have  been  evil,  they  shall  reap  the  damna- 
tion of  their  souls,  according  to  the  power  and  captivation  of 
the  devil. 

45  Now  behold,  this  is  the  voice  of  the  angel,  crying  unto 
the  people. 

46  And  now  my  beloved  brethren,  for  ye  are  my  brethren, 
and  ye  had  ought  to  be  beloved,  and  ye  had  ought  to  bring 
forth  works  which  are  meet  for  repentance,  seeing  that  your 
hearts  have  been  grossly  hardened  against  the  word  of  God, 
and  seeing  that  ye  are  a  lost  and  a  fallen  people. 

47  ^Now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  I,  Alma,  had  spoken 
these  words,  behold,  the  people  were  wroth  with  me,  because 
I  said  unto  them  that  they  was  a  hard-hearted  and  a  stiff- 
necked  people; 

48  And  also  because  I  said  unto  them  that  they  were  a 
lost  and  a  fallen  people,  they  were  angry  with  me,  and  sought 
to  lay  their  hands  upon  me,  that  they  might  cast  me  into 
prison; 

49  But  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  did  not  suffer  them 
that  they  should  take  me  at  that  time  and  cast  me  into  prison. 

50  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  Amulek  went  and  stood  forth, 
and  began  to  preach  unto  them  also. 

51  And  now  the  words  of  Amulek  are  not  all  written; 
nevertheless  a  part  of  his  words  are  written  in  this  boook. 


CHAPTER  8. 

1  ^Now  these  are  the  words  which  Amulek  preached  unto 
the  people  who  were  in  the  land  of  Ammonihah,  saying:  I 
am  Amulek;  I  am  the  son  of  Giddonah,  who  was  the  son  of 
Ishmael,  who  was  a  descendant  of  Aminadi: 

2  And  it  was  that  same  Aminadi  who  interpreted  the  writ- 
ing which  was  upon  the  wall  of  the  temple,  which  was  written 
by  the  finger  of  God. 

3  And  Aminadi  was  a  descendant  of  Nephi,  who  was  the 


CHAP.  8.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  335 

son  of  Lehi,  who  came  out  of  the  land  of  Jerusalem,  who  was 
a  descendant  of  Manasseh,  who  was  the  son  of  Joseph,  who 
was  sold  into  Egypt  by  the  hands  of  his  brethren. 

4  And  behold,  I  am  also  a  man  of  no  small  reputation 
among  all  those  who  know  me; 

5  Yea,  and  behold,  I  have  many  kindred  and  friends,  and 
I  have  also  acquired  much  riches  by  the  hand  of  my  industry; 

6  Nevertheless,  after  all  this,  I  never  have  known  much  of 
the  ways  of  the  Lord,  and  his  mysteries  and  marvelous  power. 

7  I  said  I  never  had  known  much  of  these  things;  but  be- 
hold I  mistake,  for  I  have  seen  much  of  his  mysteries  and  his 
miraculous  power;  yea,  even  in  the  preservation  of  the  lives 
of  this  people; 

8  Nevertheless,  I  did  harden  my  heart,  for  I  was  called 
many  times,  and  I  would  not  hear;  therefore  I  knew  concern- 
ing these  things,  yet  I  would  not  know; 

9  Therefore  I  went  on  rebelling  against  God,  in  the  wick- 
edness of  my  heart,  even  until  the  fourth  day  of  this  seventh 
month,  which  is  in  the  tenth  year  of  the  reign  of  the  Judges. 

10  As  I  was  journeying  to  see  a  very  near  kindred,  behold 
an  angel  of  the  Lord  appeared  unto  me,  and  said,  Amulek, 
return  to  thine  own  house,  for  thou  shalt  feed  a  prophet  of 
the  Lord ;  yea,  a  holy  man,  who  is  a  chosen  man  of  God ; 

11  For  he  has  fasted  many  days  because  of  the  sins  of  this 
people,  and  he  is  an  hungered,  and  thou  shalt  receive  him 
into  thy  house  and  feed  him,  and  he  shall  bless  thee  and  thy 
house;  and  the  blessing  of  the  Lord  shall  rest  upon  thee  and 
thy  house. 

12  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  obeyed  the  voice  of  the 
angel,  and  returned  towards  my  house. 

13  And  as  I  was  going  thither,  I  found  the  man  whom  the 
angel  said  unto  me.  Thou  shalt  receive  into  thy  house;  and 
behold  it  was  this  same  man  who  has  been  speaking  unto  you 
concerning  the  things  of  God. 

14  And  th6  angel  said  unto  me,  He  is  a  holy  man;  where- 
fore I  know  he  is  a  holy  man,  because  it  was  said  by  an  angel 
of  God. 

15  And  again,  I  know  that  the  things  whereof  he  hath  tes- 


336  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  8. 

tified  are  true;  for  behold,  I  say  unto  you  that  as  the  Lord 
liveth,  even  so  he  has  sent  his  angel  to  make  these  things 
manifest  unto  me;  and  this  he  has  done  while  this  Alma  hath 
dwelt  at  my  house; 

16  For  behold,  he  hath  blessed  mine  house,  he  hath  blessed 
me,  and  my  women,  and  my  children,  and  my  father,  and  my 
kinsfolks ; 

17  Yea,  even  all  my  kindred  hath  he  blessed,  and  the  bless- 
ing of  the  Lord  hath  rested  upon  us  according  to  the  words 
which  he  spake. 

18  ^And  now  when  Amulek  had  spoken  these  words,  the 
people  began  to  be  astonished,  seeing  there  was  more  than 
one  witness  who  testified  of  the  things  whereof  they  were 
accused,  and  also  of  the  things  which  were  to  come,  according 
to  the  spirit  of  prophecy  which  was  in  them; 

19  Nevertheless,  there  were  some  among  them  who  thought 
to  question  them,  that  by  their  cunning  devices  they  might 
catch  them  in  their  words,  that  they  might  find  witness 
against  them,  that  they  might  deliver  them  to  the  Judges, 

20  That  they  might  be  judged  according  to  the  law,  and 
that  they  might  be  slain  or  cast  into  prison,  according  to  the 
crime  which  they  could  make  appear,  or  witness  against  them. 

21  Now  it  was  those  men  who  sought  to  destroy  them,  who 
were  lawyers,  who  were  hired  or  appointed  by  the  people  to 
administer  the  law  at  their  times  of  trials,  or  at  the  trials  of 
the  crimes  of  the  people,  before  the  Judges. 

22  Now  these  lawyers  were  learned  in  all  the  arts  and  cun- 
ning of  the  people;  and  this  was  to  enable  them  that  they 
might  be  skillful  in  their  profession. 

23  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  began  to  question  Amu- 
lek, that  thereby  they  might  make  him  cross  his  words,  or 
contradict  the  words  which  he  should  speak. 

24  Now  they  knew  not  that  Amulek  could  know  of  their 
designs. 

25  But  it  came  to  pass  as  they  began  to  question  him,  he 
perceived  their  thoughts,  and  he  said  unto  them,  0  ye  wicked 
and  perverse  generation;  ye  lawyers  and  hypocrites;  for  ye 
are  laying  the  foundations  of  the  devil; 


CHAP.  8.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  337 

26  For  ye  are  laying  traps  and  snares  to  catch  the  holy 
ones  of  God;  ye  are  laying  plans  to  pervert  the  ways  of  the 
righteous,  and  to  bring  down  the  wrath  of  God  upon  your 
heads,  even  to  the  utter  destruction  of  this  people; 

27  Yea,  well  did  Mosiah  say,  who  was  our  last  king,  when 
he  was  about  to  deliver  up  the  kingdom,  having  no  one  to 
confer  it  upon,  causing  that  this  people  should  be  governed 
by  their  own  voices; 

28  Yea,  well  did  he  say,  that  if  the  time  should  come  that 
the  voice  of  this  people  should  choose  iniquity;  that  is,  if  the 
time  should  come  that  this  people  should  fall  into  transgres- 
sion, they  would  be  ripe  for  destruction. 

29  And  now  I  say  unto  you,  that  well  doth  the  Lord  judge 
of  your  iniquities;  well  doth  he  cry  unto  this  people,  by  the 
voice  of  his  angels.  Repent  ye,  repent,  for  the  kingdom  of 
heaven  is  at  hand. 

30  Yea,  well  doth  he  cry,  by  the  voice  of  his  angels,  that  I 
will  come  down  among  my  people,  with  equity  and  justice  in 
my  hands. 

31  Yea,  and  I  say  unto  you,  that  if  it  were  not  for  the 
prayers  of  the  righteous,  who  are  now  in  the  land,  that  ye 
would  even  nov/  be  visited  with  utter  destruction; 

32  Yet  it  would  not  be  by  flood,  as  were  the  people  in  the 
days  of  Noah,  but  it  would  be  by  famine,  and  by  pestilence, 
and  the  sword. 

33  But  it  is  by  the  prayers  of  the  righteous  that  ye  are 
spared;  now  therefore  if  ye  will  cast  out  the  righteous  from 
among  you,  then  will  not  the  Lord  stay  his  hand,  but  in  his 
fierce  anger  he  will  come  out  against  you; 

34  Then  ye  shall  be  smitten  by  famine,  and  by  pestilence, 
and  by  the  sword;  and  the  time  is  soon  at  hand,  except  ye 
repent. 

35  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  the  people  were  more 
angry  with  Amulek,  and  they  cried  out  saying:  This  man 
doth  revile  against  our  laws,  which  are  just,  and  our  wise 
lawyers  whom  we  have  selected. 

36  But  Amulek  stretched  forth  his  hand,  and  cried  the 
mightier  unto  them,  saying:    O  ye  wicked  and  perverse  gene- 


338  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  8. 

ration;  why  hath  Satan  got  such  great  hold  upon  your  hearts? 

37  Why  will  ye  yield  yourselves  unto  him  that  he  may  have 
power  over  you,  to  blind  your  eyes,  that  ye  will  not  under- 
stand the  words  which  are  spoken,  according  to  their  truth? 

38  For  behold,  have  I  testified  against  your  law? 

39  Ye  do  not  understand;  ye  say  that  I  have  spoken  against 
your  law;  but  I  have  not;  but  I  have  spoken  in  favor  of 
your  law,  to  your  condemnation. 

40  And  now  behold,  I  say  unto  you,  that  the  foundation  of 
the  destruction  of  this  people  is  beginning  to  be  laid  by  the 
unrighteousness  of  your  lawyers  and  your  judges. 

41  TJAnd  now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Amulek  had 
spoken  these  words,  the  people  cried  out  against  him,  saying. 
Now  we  know  that  this  man  is  a  child  of  the  devil,  for  he 
hath  lied  unto  us;  for  he  hath  spoken  against  our  law. 

42  And  now  he  says  that  he  has  not  spoken  against  it. 

43  And  again;  he  has  reviled  against  our  lawyers,  and  our 
judges,  etc. 

44  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  lawyers  put  it  into  their 
hearts  that  they  should  remember  these  things  against  him. 

45  And  there  was  one  among  them  whose  name  was  Zeez- 
rom. 

46  Now  he  was  the  foremost  to  accuse  Amulek  and  Alma, 
he  being  one  of  the  most  expert  among  them,  having  much 
business  to  do  among  the  people. 

47  Now  the  object  of  these  lawyers  was  to  get  gain;  and 
they  got  gain  according  to  their  employ. 

48  ^Now  it  was  in  the  law  of  Mosiah  that  every  man  who 
was  a  judge  of  the  law,  or  those  who  were  appointed  to  be 
judges  should  receive  wages  according  to  the  time  which  they 
labored  to  judge  those  who  were  brought  before  them  to  be 
judged. 

49  IJNow  if  a  man  owed  another,  and  he  would  not  pay 
that  which  he  did  owe,  he  was  complained  of  to  the  judge; 

50  And  the  judge  executed  authority^  and  sent  forth  officers 
that  the  man  should  be  brought  before  him; 

51  And  he  judged  the  man  according  to  the  law  and  the 
evidences  which  were  brought  against  him,  and  thus  the  man 


CHAP.  8.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  339 

was  compelled  to  pay  that  which  he  owed,  or  be  striped,  or 
be  cast  out  from  among  the  people,  as  a  thief  and  a  robber. 

52  And  the  judge  received  for  his  wages  according  to  his 
time:  a  senine  of  gold  for  a  day,  or  a  senum  of  silver,  which 
is  equal  to  a  senine  of  gold;  and  this  is  according  to  the  law 
which  was  given. 

53  Now  these  are  the  names  of  the  different  pieces  of  their 
gold,  and  of  their  silver,  according  to  their  value. 

54  And  the  names  are  given  by  the  Nephites;  for  they  did 
not  reckon  after  the  manner  of  the  Jews  who  were  at  Jeru- 
salem; neither  did  they  measure  after  the  manner  of  the  Jews, 

55  But  they  altered  their  reckoning  and  their  measure,  ac- 
cording to  the  minds  and  the  circumstances  of  the  people,  in 
every  generation,  until  the  reign  of  the  Judges;  they  having 
been  established  by  King  Mosiah. 

56  Now  the  reckoning  is  thus:  a  senine  of  gold,  a  seon  of 
gold,  a  shum  of  gold,  and  a  limnah  of  gold. 

57  A  senum  of  silver,  an  amnor  of  silver,  an  ezrom  of  sil- 
ver, and  an  onti  of  silver. 

58  A  senum  of  silver  was  equal  to  a  senine  of  gold;  and 
either  for  a  measure  of  barley,  and  also  for  a  measure  of 
every  kind  of  grain. 

59  Now  the  amount  of  a  seon  of  gold  was  twice  the  value 
of  a  senine;  and  a  shum  of  gold  was  twice  the  value  of  a 
seon;  and  a  limnah  of  gold  was  the  value  of  them  all; 

60  And  an  amnor  of  silver  was  as  great  as  two  senums; 
and  an  ezrom  of  silver  was  as  great  as  four  senums;  and  an 
onti  was  as  great  as  them  all. 

61  Now  this  is  the  value  of  the  lesser  numbers  of  their 
reckoning,  a  shiblon  is  half  of  a  senum:  therefore  a  shiblon 
for  half  a  measure  of  barley;  and  a  shiblum  is  a  half  of  a 
shiblon;  and  a  leah  is  the  half  of  a  shiblum. 

62  Now  an  antion  of  gold  is  equal  to  three  shiblons. 

63  Now  this  is  their  number,  according  to  their  reckoning. 

64  ^Now  it  was  for  the  sole  purpose  to  get  gain,  because 
they  received  their  wages  according  to  their  employ; 

65  Therefore  they  did  stir  up  the  people  to  riotings,  and 


340  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  8. 

all  manner  of  disturbances  and  wickedness,  that  they  mi^ht 
have  more  employ; 

66  That  they  might  get  money  according  to  the  suits  which 
were  brought  before  them;  therefore  they  did  stir  up  the  peo- 
ple against  Alma  and  Amulek. 

67  And  this  Zeezrom  began  to  question  Amulek,  saying: 
Will  ye  answer  me  a  few  questions  which  I  shall  ask  you? 

68  Now  Zeezrom  was  a  man  who  was  expert  in  the  devices 
of  the  devil,  that  he  might  destroy  that  which  was  good; 
therefore  he  said  unto  Amulek,  Will  ye  answer  the  questions 
which  I  shall  put  unto  you? 

69  And  Amulek  said  unto  him.  Yea,  I  will  if  it  be  accord- 
ing to  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  which  is  in  me;  for  I  shall  say 
nothing  which  is  contrary  to  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord. 

70  And  Zeezrom  said  unto  him.  Behold  here  are  six  onties 
of  silver,  and  all  these  will  I  give  thee  if  thou  wilt  deny  the 
existence  of  a  supreme  being. 

71  Now  Amulek  said,  O  thou  child  of  hell,  why  tempt  ye 
me? 

72  Knowest  thou  that  the  righteous  yieldeth  to  no  such 
temptations? 

73  Believest  thou  that  there  is  no  God? 

74  I  say  unto  you.  Nay;  thou  knowest  that  there  is  a  God, 
but  thou  lovest  that  lucre  more  than  him. 

75  And  now  thou  hast  lied  before  God  unto  me. 

76  Thou  saidst  unto  me.  Behold  these  six  onties  which  are 
of  great  worth,  I  will  give  unto  thee,  when  thou  had  it  in  thy 
heart  to  retain  them  from  me; 

77  And  it  was  only  thy  desire  that  I  should  deny  the  true 
and  living  God,  that  thou  mightest  have  cause  to  destroy  me. 

78  And  now  behold,  for  this  great  evil  thou  shalt  have  thy 
reward. 

79  And  Zeezrom  said  unto  him,  Thou  sayest  there  is  a  true 
and  living  God? 

80  And  Amulek  said.  Yea,  there  is  a  true  and  a  living  God. 

81  Now  Zeezrom  said.  Is  there  more  than  one  God? 

82  And  he  answereth,  No. 


CHAP.  8.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  341 

83  Now  Zeezrom  said  unto  him  again,  How  knowest  thou 
these  things? 

84  And  he  said,  An  angel  hath  made  them  known  unto  me. 

85  And  Zeezrom  said  again.  Who  is  he  that  shall  come?  Is 
it  the  Son  of  God? 

86  And  he  said  unto  him,  Yea. 

87  And  Zeezrom  said  again,  Shall  he  save  his  people  in 
their  sins? 

88  And  Amulek  answered  and  said  unto  him,  I  say  unto 
you  he  shall  not,  for  it  is  impossible  for  him  to  deny  his  word. 

89  ^Now  Zeezrom  said  unto  the  people.  See  that  ye  remem- 
ber these  things;  for  he  said  there  is  but  one  God;  yet  he 
saith  that  the  Son  of  God  shall  come,  but  he  shall  not  save 
his  people,  as  though  he  had  authority  to  command  God. 

90  Now  Amulek  saith  again  unto  him.  Behold  thou  hast 
lied,  for  thou  sayest  that  I  spake  as  though  I  had  authority 
to  command  God,  because  I  said  he  shall  not  save  his  people 
in  their  sins. 

91  And  I  say  unto  you  again,  that  he  can  not  save  them  in 
their  sins;  for  I  can  not  deny  his  word,  and  he  hath  said  that 
no  unclean  thing  can  inherit  the  kingdom  of  heaven; 

92  Therefore  how  can  ye  be  saved,  except  ye  inherit  the 
kingdom  of  heaven?  Therefore  ye  can  not  be  saved  in  your 
sins. 

93  Now  Zeezrom  saith  again  unto  him.  Is  the  Son  of  God 
the  very  eternal  Father? 

94  And  Amulek  said  unto  him.  Yea,  he  is  the  very  eternal 
Father  of  heaven  and  of  earth,  and  all  things  which  in  them 
is; 

95  He  is  the  beginning  and  the  end,  the  first  and  the  last; 

96  And  he  shall  come  into  the  world  to  redeem  his  people; 
and  he  shall  take  upon  him  the  transgressions  of  those  who 
believe  on  his  name;  and  these  are  they  that  shall  have  eter- 
nal life,  and  salvation  cometh  to  none  else; 

97  Therefore  the  wicked  remain  as  though  there  had  been 
no  redemption  made,  except  it  be  the  loosing  of  the  bands  of 
death ; 

98  For  behold,  the  day  cometh  that  all  shall  rise  from  the 


342  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  8. 

dead  and  stand  before  God,  and  be  judged  according  to  their 
works. 

99  Now  there  is  a  death  which  is  called  a  temporal  death; 
and  the  death  of  Christ  shall  loose  the  bands  of  this  tem- 
poral death,  that  all  shall  be  raised  from  this  temporal  death ; 

100  The  spirit  and  the  body  shall  be  reunited  again,  in 
its  perfect  form;  both  limb  and  joint  shall  be  restored  to  its 
proper  frame,  even  as  we  now  are  at  this  time; 

101  And  we  shall  be  brought  to  stand  before  God,  knowing 
even  as  we  know  now,  and  have  a  bright  recollection  of  all 
our  guilt. 

102  Now  this  restoration  shall  come  to  all,  both  old  and 
young,  both  bond  and  free,  both  male  and  female,  both  the 
wicked  and  the  righteous; 

103  And  even  there  shall  not  so  much  as  a  hair  of  their 
heads  be  lost;  but  all  things  shall  be  restored  to  its  perfect 
frame,  as  it  is  now,  or  in  the  body, 

104  And  shall  be  brought  and  be  arraigned  before  the  bar 
of  Christ  the  Son,  and  God  the  Father,  and  the  Holy  Spirit, 
which  is  one  eternal  God,  to  be  judged  according  to  their 
works,  whether  they  be  good  or  whether  they  be  evil. 

105  TJNow  behold  I  have  spoken  unto  you  concerning  the 
death  of  the  mortal  body,  and  also  concerning  the  resurrec- 
tion of  the  mortal  body. 

106  I  say  unto  you,  that  this  mortal  body  is  raised  to  an 
immortal  body;  that  is  from  death;  even  from  the  first  death, 
unto  life,  that  they  can  die  no  more;  their  spirits  uniting  with 
their  bodies,  never  to  be  divided; 

107  Thus  the  whole  becoming  spiritual  and  immortal,  that 
they  can  no  more  see  corruption. 

108  TJNow  when  Amulek  had  finished  these  words,  the  peo- 
ple began  again  to  be  astonished,  and  also  Zeezrom  began  to 
tremble. 

109  And  thus  ended  the  words  of  Amulek,  or  this  is  all 
that  I  have  written. 


CHAP.  9.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  343 

CHAPTER  9. 

1  IJNow  Alma,  seeing  that  the  words  of  Amulek  had 
silenced  Zeezrom,  for  he  beheld  that  Amulek  had  caught  him 
in  his  lying  and  deceiving,  to  destroy  him,  and  seeing  that  he 
began  to  tremble  under  a  consciousness  of  his  guilt,  he  opened 
his  mouth  and  began  to  speak  unto  him,  and  to  establish  the 
words  of  Amulek,  and  to  explain  things  beyond,  or  to  unfold 
the  scriptures  beyond  that  which  Amulek  had  done. 

2  Now  the  words  that  Alma  spake  unto  Zeezrom,  were 
heard  by  the  people  round  about;  for  the  multitude  was 
great,  and  he  spake  on  this  wise: 

3  Now  Zeezrom,  seeing  that  thou  hast  been  taken  in  thy 
lying  and  craftiness,  for  thou  hast  not  lied  unto  men  only, 
but  thou  hast  lied  unto  God; 

4  For  behold,  he  knows  all  thy  thoughts;  and  thou  seest 
that  thy  thoughts  are  made  known  unto  us  by  his  Spirit; 

5  And  thou  seest  that  we  know  that  thy  plan  was  a  very 
subtle  plan,  as  to  the  subtlety  of  the  devil,  for  to  lie  and  to 
deceive  this  people,  that  thou  mightest  set  them  against  us, 
to  revile  us  and  to  cast  us  out. 

6  Now  this  was  a  plan  of  thine  adversary,  and  he  hath  ex- 
ercised his  power  in  thee. 

7  Now  I  would  that  ye  should  remember  that  what  I  say 
unto  thee,  I  say  unto  all. 

8  And  behold,  I  say  unto  you  all,  that  this  was  a  snare  of 
the  adversary,  which  he  has  laid  to  catch  this  people, 

9  That  he  might  bring  you  into  subjection  unto  him,  that 
he  might  encircle  you  about  with  his  chains,  that  he  might 
chain  you  down  to  everlasting  destruction,  according  to  the 
power  of  his  captivity. 

10  TJNow  when  Alma  had  spoken  these  words,  Zeezrom  be- 
gan to  tremble  more  exceedingly,  for  he  was  convinced  more 
and  more  of  the  power  of  God; 

11  And  he  was  also  convinced  that  Alma  and  Amulek  had 
a  knowledge  of  him,  for  he  was  convinced  that  they  knew 
the  thoughts  and  intents  of  his  heart: 


k^4  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  9* 

12  For  power  was  given  unto  them  that  they  might  know 
of  these  things,  according  to  the  spirit  of  prophecy. 

13  And  Zeezrom  began  to  inquire  of  them  diligently,  that 
he  might  know  more  concerning  the  kingdom  of  God. 

14  And  he  said  unto  Alma,  What  does  this  mean  which 
Amulek  hath  spoken  concerning  the  resurrection  of  the  dead, 
that  all  shall  rise  frcfm  the  dead,  both  the  just  and  the  un- 
just, and  are  brought  to  stand  before  God,  to  be  judged  ac- 
cording to  their  works? 

15  And  now  Alma  began  to  expound  these  things  unto 
him,  saying,  It  is  given  unto  many  to  know  the  mysteries 
of  God; 

16  Nevertheless  they  are  laid  under  a  strict  command,  that 
they  shall  not  impart  only  according  to  the  portion  of  his 
word,  which  he  doth  grant  unto  the  children  of  men;  accord- 
ing to  the  heed  and  diligence  which  they  give  unto  him ; 

17  And  therefore  he  that  will  harden  his  heart,  the  same 
receiveth  the  lesser  portion  of  the  word; 

18  And  he  that  will  not  harden  his  heart,  to  him  is  given 
the  greater  portion  of  the  word,  until  it  is  given  unto  him  to 
know  the  mysteries  of  God,  until  they  know  them  in  full; 

19  And  they  that  will  harden  their  hearts,  to  them  is  given 
the  lesser  portion  of  the  word,  until  they  know  nothing  con- 
cerning his  mysteries; 

20  And  then  they  are  taken  captive  by  the  devil,  and  led 
by  his  will  down  to  destruction. 

21  Now  this  is  what  is  meant  by  the  chains  of  hell;  and 
Amulek  hath  spoken  plainly  concerning  death,  and  being 
raised  from  this  mortality  to  a  state  of  immortality,  and 
being  brought  before  the  bar  of  God,  to  be  judged  according 
to  our  works. 

22  Then  if  our  hearts  have  been  hardened,  yea,  if  we  have 
hardened  our  hearts  against  the  word,  insomuch  that  it  has 
not  been  found  in  us,  then  will  our  state  be  awful,  for  then 
we  shall  be  condemned; 

23  For  our  words  will  condemn  us,  yea,  all  our  works  will 
condemn  us;  we  shall  not  be  found  spotless: 


CHAP.  9.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  345 

24  And  our  thoughts  will  also  condemn  us;  and  in  this 
awful  state,  we  shall  not  dare  look  up  to  our  God; 

25  And  we  would  fain  be  glad  if  we  could  command  the 
rocks  and  the  mountains  to  fall  upon  us,  to  hide  us  from  his 
presence. 

26  But  this  can  not  be:  we  must  come  forth  and  stand 
before  him  in  his  glory,  and  in  his  power,  and  in  his  might, 
majesty,  and  dominion,  and  acknowledge  to  our  everlasting 
shame,  that  all  his  judgments  are  just: 

27  That  he  is  just  in  all  his  works,  and  that  he  is  merciful 
unto  the  children  of  men,  and  that  he  has  all  power  to  save 
every  man  that  believeth  on  his  name,  and  bringeth  forth 
fruit  meet  for  repentance. 

28  ^And  now  behold  I  say  unto  you,  then  cometh  a  death, 
even  a  second  death,  which  is  a  spiritual  death; 

29  Then  is  a  time  that  whosoever  dieth  in  his  sins,  as  to  a 
temporal  death,  shall  also  die  a  spiritual  death:  yea,  he  shall 
die  as  to  things  pertaining  unto  righteousness; 

30  Then  is  the  time  when  their  torments  shall  be  as  a  lake 
of  fire  and  brimstone,  whose  flames  ascendeth  up  for  ever 
and  ever; 

31  And  then  is  the  time  that  they  shall  be  chained  down  to 
an  everlasting  destruction,  according  to  the  power  and  cap- 
tivity of  Satan:  he  having  subjected  them  according  to  his 
will. 

32  Then  I  say  unto  you,  They  shall  be  as  though  there  had 
been  no  redemption  made;  for  they  can  not  be  redeemed  ac- 
cording to  God's  justice;  and  they  can  not  die,  seeing  there 
is  no  more  corruption. 

33  ^Now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Alma  had  made  an  end 
of  speaking  these  words,  the  people  began  to  be  more  aston- 
ished; 

34  But  there  was  one  Antionah,  who  was  a  chief  ruler 
among  them,  came  forth  and  said  unto  him,  What  is  this 
that  thou  hast  said,  that  man  should  rise  from  the  dead  and 
be  changed  from  this  mortal  to  an  immortal  state,  that  the 
soul  can  never  die? 

35  What  does  the  scripture  mean,  which   saith  that   God 


346  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  9. 

placed  cheriibims  and  a  flaming  sword  on  the  east  of  the 
garden  of  Eden,  lest  our  first  parents  should  enter  and  par- 
take of  the  fruit  of  the  tree  of  life,  and  live  for  ever? 

36  And  thus  we  see  that  there  was  no  possible  chance  that 
they  should  live  for  ever. 

37  Now  Alma  said  unto  him,  This  is  the  thing  which  I  was 
about  to  explain. 

38  Now  we  see  that  Adam  did  fall  by  the  partaking  of  the 
forbidden  fruit,  according  to  the  word  of  God;  and  thus  we 
see,  that  by  his  fall,  all  mankind  became  a  lost  and  a  fallen 
people. 

39  And  now  behold,  I  say  unto  you,  that  if  it  had  been 
possible  for  Adam  to  have  partaken  of  the  fruit  of  the  tree 
of  life  at  that  time,  there  would  have  been  no  death,  and  the 
word  would  have  been  void,  making  God  a  liar:  for  he  said. 
If  thou  eat,  thou  shall  surely  die. 

40  And  we  see  that  death  comes  upon  mankind,  yea,  the 
death  which  has  been  spoken  of  by  Amulek,  which  is  the  tem- 
poral death;  nevertheless  there  was  a  space  granted  unto 
man,  in  which  he  might  repent; 

41  Therefore  this  life  became  a  probationary  state;  a  time 
to  prepare  to  meet  God;  a  time  to  prepare  for  that  endless 
state,  which  has  been  spoken  of  by  us,  which  is  after  the 
resurrection  of  the  dead. 

42  Now  if  it  had  not  been  for  the  plan  of  redemption, 
which  was  laid  from  the  foundation  of  the  world,  there  could 
have  been  no  resurrection  of  the  dead; 

43  But  there  was  a  plan  of  redemption  laid,  which  shall 
bring  to  pass  the  resurrection  of  the  dead,  of  which  has  been 
spoken. 

44  And  now  behold,  if  it  were  possible  that  our  first  par- 
ents could  have  went  forth  and  partaken  of  the  tree  of  life, 
they  would  have  been  for  ever  miserable,  having  no  prepara- 
tory state; 

45  And  thus  the  plan  of  redemption  would  have  been  frus- 
trated, and  the  word  of  God  would  have  been  void,  taking 
none  effect. 

46  But  behold,  it  was  not  so;  but  it  was  appointed  unto 


CHAP.  9.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  847 

man  that  they  must  die;  and  after  death,  they  must  come  to 
judgment;  even  that  same  judgment  of  which  we  have  spoken, 
which  is  the  end. 

47  And  after  God  had  appointed  that  these  things  should 
come  unto  man,  behold,  then  he  saw  that  it  was  expedient 
that  man  should  know  concerning  the  things  whereof  he  had 
appointed  unto  them; 

48  Therefore  he  sent  angels  to  converse  with  them,  who 
caused  men  to  behold  of  his  glory. 

49  And  they  began  from  that  time  forth  to  call  on  his 
name;  therefore  God  conversed  with  men,  and  made  known 
unto  them  the  plan  of  redemption,  which  had  been  prepared 
from  the  foundation  of  the  world; 

50  And  this  he  made  known  unto  them  according  to  their 
faith  and  repentance,  and  their  holy  works; 

51  Wherefore  he  gave  commandments  unto  men,  they  hav- 
ing first  transgressed  the  first  commandments  as  to  things 
which  were  temporal,  and  becoming  as  gods,  knowing  good 
from  evil,  placing  themselves  in  a  state  to  act,  or  being- 
placed  in  a  state  to  act  according  to  their  wills  and  pleasures, 
whether  to  do  evil  or  to  do  good; 

52  Therefore  God  gave  unto  them  commandments,  after 
having  made  known  unto  them  the  plan  of  redemption,  that 
they  should  not  do  evil,  the  penalty  thereof  being  a  second 
death,  which  was  an  everlasting  death  as  to  things  pertaining 
unto  righteousness; 

53  For  on  such  the  plan  of  redemption  could  have  no  power, 
for  the  works  of  justice  could  not  be  destroyed,  according  to 
the  supreme  goodness  of  God. 

54  But  God  did  call  on  men,  in  the  name  of  his  Son,  (this 
being  the  plan  of  redemption  which  was  laid,)  saying:  If 
ye  will  repent,  and  harden  not  your  hearts,  then  will  I  have 
mercy  upon  you,  through  mine  only  begotten  Son; 

55  Therefore,  whosoever  repenteth,  and  hardeneth  not  his 
heart,  he  shall  have  claim  on  mercy  through  mine  only  be- 
gotten Son,  unto  a  remission  of  his  sins;  and  these  shall 
enter  into  my  rest. 

56  And  whosoever  will  harden  his  heart,  and  will  do  iniq- 


348  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [ciiAF.  9. 

uity,  behold,  I   swear  in  my  wrath   that  he  shall  not  enter 
into  my  rest. 

57  And  now  my  brethren,  behold  I  say  unto  you,  that  if  ye 
will  harden  your  hearts,  ye  shall  not  enter  into  the  rest  of 
the  Lord; 

58  Therefore  your  iniquity  provoketh  him,  that  he  sendeth 
down  his  wrath  upon  you  as  in  the  first  provocation, 

59  Yea,  according  to  his  word  in  the  last  provocation,  as 
well  as  the  first,  to  the  everlasting  destruction  of  your  souls; 
therefore,  according  to  his  word,  unto  the  last  death,  as  well 
as  the  first. 

60  ^And  now  my  brethren,  seeing  we  know  these  things,- 
and  they  are  true,  let  us  repent,  and  harden  not  our  hearts, 
that  we  provoke  not  the  Lord  our  God  to  pull  down  his  wrath 
upon   us   in   these   his   second   commandments   which   he   has 
given  unto  us; 

61  But  let  us  enter  into  the  rest  of  God,  which  is  prepared 
according  to  his  v/ord. 

62  And  again:  my  brethren,  I  would  cite  your  minds  for- 
ward to  the  time  which  the  Lord  God  gave  these  command- 
ments unto  his  children; 

63  And  I  would  that  ye  should  remember  that  the  Lord 
God  ordained  priests,  after  his  holy  order,  which  was  after 
the  order  of  his  Son,  to  teach  these  things  unto  the  people; 

64  And  those  priests  were  ordained  after  the  order  of  his 
Son,  in  a  manner  that  thereby,  the  people  might  know  in  what 
manner  to  look  forward  to  his  Son  for  redemption. 

65  And  this  is  the  manner  after  which  they  were  ordained : 
being  called  and  prepared  from  the  foundation  of  the  world, 
according  to  the  foreknowledge  of  God,  on  account  of  their 
exceeding  faith  and  good  works;  in  the  first  place  being  left 
to  choose  good  or  evil; 

66  Therefore  they  having  chosen  good,  and  exercising  ex- 
ceeding great  faith,  are  called  with  a  holy  calling,  yea,  with 
that  holy  calling  which  was  prepared  with,  and  according  to, 
a  preparatory  redemption  for  such; 

67  And  thus  they  have  been  called  to  this  holy  calling  on 
account  of  their  faith,  while  others  would  reject  the  Spirit 


CHAP.   10.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  349 

of  God  on  account  of  the  hardness  of  their  hearts  and  blind- 
ness of  their  minds,  while,  if  it  had  not  been  for  this,  they 
might  had  as  great  privilege  at  their  brethren. 

68  Or  in  fine:  in  the  first  ])lace  they  were  on  the  same 
standing  with  their  brethren;  thus  this  holy  calling  being 
prepared  from  the  foundation  ot*  the  world  for  such  as  would 
not  harden  their  hearts,  being  in  and  through  the  atonement 
of  the  only  begotten  Son,  who  was  prepared; 

69  And  thus  being  called  by  i,his  holy  calling,  and  ordained 
unto  the  high  priesthood  of  th(3  holy  order  of  God,  to  teach 
his  commandments  unto  the  children  of  men,  that  they  also 
might  enter  into  his  rest, 

70  This  high  priesthood  being  after  the  order  of  his  Son, 
which  order  was  from  the  foundation  of  the  world: 

71  Or  in  other  words,  being  without  beginning  of  days  or 
end  of  years,  being  prepared  from  eternity  to  all  eternity, 
according  to  his  foreknowledge  of  all  things. 

72  Now  they  were  ordained  after  this  manner:  Being 
called  with  a  holy  calling,  an<l  ordained  with  a  holy  ordi- 
nance, and  taking  upon  them  the  high  priesthood  of  the  holy 
order,  which  calling,  and  ordinance,  and  high  priesthood,  is 
without  beginning  or  end; 

73  Thus  they  become  high  priests  for  ever,  after  the  order 
of  the  Son,  the  only  begotten  of  the  Father,  who  is  without 
beginning  of  days  or  end  of  years,  who  is  full  of  grace, 
equity,  and  truth.     And  thus  it  is.     Amen. 


CHAPTER  10. 

1  IJNow  as  I  said  concerning  the  holy  order  of  this  high 
priesthood:  there  were  many  who  were  ordained  and  became 
high  priests  of  God; 

2  And  it  was  on  account  of  their  exceeding  faith  and  re- 
pentance, and  their  righteousness  before  God,  they  choosing 
to  repent  and  work  righteousness,  rather  than  to  perish; 

3  Therefore  they  were  called  after  this  holy  order,  and 
were  sanctified,  and  their  garments  were  washed  white, 
through  the  blood  of  the  Lamb. 


350  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  10. 

4  Now  they,  after  being  sanctified  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  hav- 
ing their  garments  made  white,  being  pure  and  spotless  be- 
fore God,  could  not  look  upon  sin,  save  it  were  with  abhor- 
rence; 

5  And  there  were  many,  exceeding  great  many,  who  were 
made  pure,  and  entered  into  the  rest  of  the  Lord  their  God. 

6  And  now,  my  brethren,  I  would  that  ye  should  humble 
yourselves  before  God,  and  bring  forth  fruit  meet  for  re- 
pentance, that  ye  may  also  enter  into  that  rest; 

7  Yea,  humble  yourselves  even  as  the  people  in  the  days 
of  Melchisedec,  who  was  also  a  high  prie&t  after  this  same 
order  which  I  have  spoken,  who  also  took  upon  him  the  high 
priesthood  for  ever. 

8  And  it  was  this  same  Melchisedec  to  whom  Abraham 
paid  tithes:  yea,  even  our  father  Abraham  paid  tithes  of  one 
tenth  part  of  all  that  he  possessed. 

9  Now  these  ordinances  were  given  after  this  manner, 
that  thereby  the  people  might  look  forward  on  the  Son  of 
God,  it  being  a  type  of  his  order,  or  it  being  his  order; 

10  And  this,  that  they  might  look  forward  to  him  for  a 
remission  of  their  sins,  that  they  might  enter  into  the  rest  of 
the  Lord. 

11  TJNow  this  Melchisedec  was  a  king  over  the  land  of 
Salem;  and  his  people  had  waxed  strong  in  iniquity  and 
abominations;  yea,  they  had  all  gone  astray:  they  were  full 
of  all  manner  of  wickedness; 

12  But  Melchisedec  having  exercised  mighty  faith,  and  re- 
ceived the  office  of  the  high  priesthood,  according  to  the  holy 
order  of  God,  did  preach  repentance  unto  his  people. 

13  And  behold,  they  did  repent;  and  Melchisedec  did  estab- 
lish peace  in  the  land  in  his  days; 

14  Therefore  he  was  called  the  prince  of  peace,  for  he  was 
the  king  of  Salem;  and  he  did  reign  under  his  father. 

15  Now  there  were  many  before  him,  and  also  there  were 
many  afterwards,  but  none  were  greater;  therefore  of  him 
they  have  more  particularly  made  mention. 

16  Now  I  need  not  rehearse  the  matter;  what  I  have  said, 
may  suffice. 


CHAP.   10.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  351 

17  Behold,  the  scriptures  are  before  you;  if  ye  will  wrest 
them  it  shall  be  to  your  own  destruction. 

18  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Alma  had  said 
these  words  unto  them,  he  stretched  forth  his  hand  unto  them 
and  cried  with  a  mighty  voice,  saying,  Now  is  the  time  to 
repent,  for  the  day  of  salvation  draweth  nigh; 

19  Yea,  and  the  voice  of  the  Lord,  by  the  mouth  of  angels, 
doth  declare  it,  unto  all  nations:  yea,  doth  declare  it,  that 
they  may  have  glad  tidings  of  great  joy; 

20  Yea,  and  he  doth  sound  these  glad  tidings  among  all  his 
people,  yea,  even  to  them  that  are  scattered  abroad  upon  the 
face  of  the  earth;  wherefore  they  have  come  unto  us. 

21  And  they  are  made  known  unto  us  in  plain  terms,  that 
we  may  understand,  that  we  can  not  err;  and  this  because  of 
our  being  wanderers  in  a  strange  land: 

22  Therefore  we  are  thus  highly  favored,  for  we  have  these 
glad  tidings  declared  unto  us  in  all  parts  of  our  vineyard. 

23  For  behold,  angels  are  declaring  it  unto  many  at  this 
time  in  our  land;  and  this  is  for  the  purpose  of  preparing 
the  hearts  of  the  children  of  men  to  receive  his  word,  at  the 
time  of  his  coming  in  his  glory. 

24  And  now  we  only  wait  to  hear  the  joyful  news  declared 
unto  us  by  the  mouth  of  angels,  of  his  coming;  for  the  time 
Cometh  we  know  not  how  soon. 

25  Would  to  God  that  it  might  be  in  my  day;  but  let  it  be 
sooner  or  later,  in  it  I  will  rejoice. 

26  And  it  shall  be  made  known  unto  just  and  holy  men,  by 
the  mouth  of  angels,  at  the  time  of  his  coming,  that  the  words 
of  our  fathers  may  be  fulfilled,  according  to  that  which  they 
have  spoken  concerning  him,  which  was  according  to  the 
spirit  of  prophecy  which  was  in  them. 

27  TJAnd  now  my  brethren,  I  wish  from  the  inmost  part  of 
my  heart,  yea,  with  great  anxiety,  even  unto  pain,  that  ye 
would  hearken  unto  my  words,  and  cast  off  your  sins,  and 
not  procrastinate  the  day  of  your  repentance; 

28  But  that  ye  would  humble  yourselves  before  the  Lord, 
and  call  on  his  holy  name,  and  watch  and  pray  continually, 
that  ye  may  not  be  tempted  above  that  which  ye  can  beai^,  and 


352  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  10. 

thus  be  led  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  becoming  humble,  meek,  sub- 
missive, patient,  full  of  love  and  all  long  suffering;  having 
faith  on  the  Lord; 

29  Having  a  hope  that  ye  shall  receive  eternal  life;  having 
the  love  of  God  always  in  your  hearts,  that  ye  may  be  lifted 
up  at  the  last  day,  and  enter  into  his  rest; 

30  And  may  the  Lord  grant  unto  you  repentance,  that  ye 
may  not  bring  down  his  wrath  upon  you,  that  ye  may  not  be 
bound  down  by  the  chains  of  hell,  that  ye  may  not  suffer  the 
second  death. 

31  And  Alma  spake  many  movp  words  unto  the  people, 
which  are  not  written  in  this  book. 

32  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  after  he  had  made  an  end  of 
speaking  unto  the  people,  many  of  them  did  believe  on  his 
words,  and  began  to  repent  and  to  search  the  scriptures; 

33  But  the  more  part  of  them  were  desirous  that  they 
might  destroy  Alma  and  Amulek;  for  they  were  angry  with 
Alma,  because  of  the  plainness  of  his  words  unto  Zoezrom; 

34  And  they  also  said  that  Amulek  had  lied  unto  them,  and 
had  reviled  against  their  law,  and  also  against  their  lawyers 
and  judges. 

35  And  they  were  also  angry  with  Alma  and  Amulek;  and 
because  they  had  testified  so  plainly  against  their  wickedness, 
they  sought  to  put  them  away  privily. 

36  But  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  not;  but  they  took 
them  and  bound  them  with  strong  cords,  and  took  them  be- 
fore the  chief  judge  of  the  land. 

37  And  the  people  went  forth  and  witnessed  against  them, 
testifying  that  they  had  reviled  against  the  law,  and  their 
lawyers  and  judges  of  the  land,  and  also  all  the  people  that 
were  in  the  land; 

38  And  also  testified  that  there  was  but  one  God,  and  that 
he  should  send  his  Son  among  the  people,  but  he  should  not 
save  them;  and  many  such  things  did  the  people  testify 
against  Alma  and  Amulek. 

39  Now  this  was  done  before  the  chief  judge  of  the  land. 

40  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Zeezrom  was  astonished  at  the 
words  which  had  been  spoken;  and  he  also  knew  concerning 


I 


CHAP.   10.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  ;353 

the  blindness  of  the  minds  which  he  had  caused  amonj?  the 
people,  by  his  lying  words; 

41  And  his  soul  began  to  be  harrowed  up,  under  a  con- 
sciousness of  his  own  guilt;  yea,  he  began  to  be  encircled 
about  by  the  pains  of  hell.  ^...r 

42  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  he  began  to  cry  unto  the  peo- 
ple, saying:  Behold  I  am  guilty,  and  these  men  are  spotless 
before  God. 

43  And  he  began  to  plead  for  them,  from  that  tim.e  forth; 
but  they  reviled  him,  saying:  Art  thou  also  possessed  with 
the  devii? 

44  And  they  spit  upon  him,  and  cast  him  out  from  among 
them,  and  also  all  those  who  believed  in  the  words  which  had 
been  spoken  by  Alma  and  Amulek;  and  they  cast  them  out, 
and  sent  men  to  cast  stones  at  them. 

45  And  they  brought  their  wives  and  children  together,  and 
whosoever  believed  or  had  been  taught  to  believe  in  the  word 
of  God,  they  caused  that  they  should  be  cast  into  the  fire; 

46  And  they  also  brought  forth  their  records,  which  con- 
tained the  holy  scriptures,  and  cast  them  into  the  fire  also, 
that  they  might  be  burned  and  destroyed  by  fire. 

47  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  took  Alma  and  Amulek, 
and  carried  them  forth  to  the  place  of  martyrdom,  that  they 
might  witness  the  destruction  of  those  who  were  consumed  by 
fire. 

48  And  when  Amulek  saAV  the  pains  of  the  women  and 
children  who  were  consuming  in  the  fire,  he  was  also  pained; 
and  he  said  unto  Alma,  How  can  we  witness  this  awful  scene? 

49  Therefore  let  us  stretch  forth  our  hands,  and  exercise 
the  power  of  God  which  is  in  us,  and  save  them  from  the 
fiames. 

50  But  Alma  said  unto  him.  The  Spirit  constraineth  me 
that  I  must  not  stretch  forth  mine  hand;  for  behold,  the  Lord 
receiveth  them  up  unto  himself,  in  glory; 

51  And  he  doth  suffer  that  they  may  do  this  thing,  or  that 
the  people  may  do  this  thing  unto  them,  according  to  the 
hardness  of  their  hearts,  that  the  judgments  which  he  shall 
exercise  upon  them  in  his  wrath,  may  be  just; 


354  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  10. 

52  And  the  blood  of  the  innocent  shall  stand  as  a  witness 
against  them,  yea,  and  cry  mightily  against  them  at  the  last 
day. 

53  Now  Amulek  said  unto  Alma,  Behold,  perhaps  they  will 
burn  us  also. 

54  And  Alma  said,  Be  it  according  to  the  will  of  the  Lord. 
But  behold,  our  work  is  not  finished;  therefore  they  burn  us 
not. 

55  ^Now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  the  bodies  of  those  who 
had  been  cast  into  the  fire,  were  consumed,  and  also  the  rec- 
ords which  were  cast  in  with  them,  the  chief  judge  of  the 
land  came  and  stood  before  Alma  and  Amulek,  as  they  were 
bound; 

56  And  he  smote  them  with  his  hand  upon  their  cheeks, 
and  said  unto  them.  After  what  ye  have  seen,  will  ye  preach 
again  unto  this  people,  that  they  shall  be  cast  into  a  lake  of 
fire  and  brimstone? 

57  Behold,  ye  see  that  ye  had  not  power  to  save  these  who 
had  been  cast  into  the  fire;  neither  has  God  saved  them,  be- 
cause they  were  of  thy  faith. 

58  And  the  judge  smote  them  upon  their  cheeks,  and  asked, 
What  say  ye  for  yourselves? 

59  Now  this  judge  was  after  the  order  and  faith  of  Nehor, 
who  slew  Gideon. 

60  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Alma  and  Amulek  answered 
him  nothing;  and  he  smote  them  again,  and  delivered  them 
to  the  officers  to  be  cast  into  prison. 

61  And  when  they  had  been  cast  into  prison  three  days, 
there  came  many  lawyers,  and  judges,  and  priests,  and  teach- 
ers, who  were  of  the  profession  of  Nehor; 

62  And  they  came  in  unto  the  prison  to  see  them,  and  they 
questioned  them  about  many  words;  but  they  answered  them 
nothing. 

63  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  judge  stood  before  them, 
and  said,  Why  do  ye  not  answer  the  words  of  this  people? 

64  Know  ye  not  that  I  have  power  to  deliver  ye  up  unto 
the  flames? 


CHAP.  10.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  355 

65  And  he  commanded  them  to  speak;  but  they  answered 
nothing. 

66  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  departed  and  went  their 
ways,  but  came  again  on  the  morrow;  and  the  judge  also 
smote  them  again  on  their  cheeks. 

67  And  many  came  forth  also,  and  smote  them,  saying, 
Will  ye  stand  again,  and  judge  this  people,  and  condemn  our 
law? 

68  If  ye  have  such  great  power,  why  do  ye  not  deliver 
yourselves? 

69  And  many  such  things  did  they  say  unto  them,  gnash- 
ing their  teeth  upon  them,  and  spitting  upon  them,  and  say- 
ing, How  shall  we  look  when  we  are  damned? 

70  And  many  such  things,  yea,  all  manner  of  such  things 
did  they  say  unto  them;  and  thus  they  did  mock  them,  for 
many  days. 

71  And  they  did  withhold  food  from  them,  that  they  might 
hunger,  and  water,  that  they  might  thirst; 

72  And  they  also  did  take  from  them  their  clothes,  that 
they  were  naked;  and  thus  they  were  bound  with  strong  cords, 
and  confined  in  prison. 

73  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  after  they  had  thus  suffered  for 
many  days,  (and  it  was  on  the  twelfth  day,  in  the  tenth 
month,  in  the  tenth  year  of  the  reign  of  the  Judges  over  the 
people  of  Nephi,)  that  the  chief  judge  over  the  land  of  Am- 
monihah,  and  many  of  their  teachers  and  their  lawyers,  went 
in  unto  the  prison  where  Alma  and  Amulek  were  bound  with 
cords. 

74  And  the  chief  judge  stood  before  them,  and  smote  them 
again,  and  said  unto  them.  If  ye  have  the  power  of  God,  de- 
liver yourselves  from  these  bands,  and  then  we  will  believe 
that  the  Lord  will  destroy  this  people  according  to  your 
words. 

75  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  all  went  forth  and  smote 
them,  saying  the  same  words,  even  until  the  last; 

76  And  when  the  last  had  spoken  unto  them,  the  power  of 
God  was  upon  Alma  and  Amulek,  and  they  arose  and  stood 


356  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  10. 

upon  their  feet;  and  Alma  cried,  saying,  How  long  shall  we 
suffer  these  great  afflictions,  O  Lord? 

77  O  Lord,  give  us  strength  according  to  our  faith  which  is 
in  Christ,  even  unto  deliverance;  and  they  brake  the  cords 
with  which  they  were  bound;  and  when  the  people  saw  this, 
they  began  to  flee,  for  the  fear  of  destruction  had  come  upon 
them. 

78  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  so  great  was  their  fear,  that 
they  fell  to  the  earth,  and  did  not  obtain  the  outer  door  of 
the   prison; 

79  And  the  earth  shook  mightily,  and  the  walls  of  the 
prison  were  rent  in  twain,   so  that  they  fell  to  the  earth: 

80  And  the  chief  judge,  and  the  lawyers,  and  priests,  and 
teachers,  who  smote  upon  Alma  and  Amulek,  were  slain  by 
the  fall  thereof. 

81  And  Alma  and  Amulek  came  forth  out  of  the  prison, 
and  they  were  not  hurt;  for  the  Lord  had  granted  unto  them 
power,  according  to  their  faith  which  was  in  Christ. 

82  And  they  straightway  came  forth  out  of  the  prison; 
and  they  were  loosed  from  their  bands: 

83  And  the  prison  had  fallen  to  the  earth,  and  every  soul 
who  was  within  the  walls  thereof,  save  it  were  Alma  and 
Amulek,  were  slain;  and  they  straightway  came  forth  into 
the  city. 

84  Now  the  people  having  heard  a  great  noise,  came  run- 
ning together  by  multitudes,  to  knov/  the  cause  of  it; 

85  And  when  they  saw  Alma  and  Amulek  coming  forth 
out  of  the  prison,  and  the  walls  thereof  had  fallen  to  the 
earth,  they  were  struck  with  great  fear  and  fled  from  the 
presence  of  Alma  and  Amulek,  even  as  a  goat  fleeth  with  her 
young  from  two  lions;  and  thus  they  did  flee  from  the  pres- 
ence of  Alma  and  Amulek. 

86  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  Alma  and  Amulek  were 
commanded  to  depart  out  of  that  city;  and  they  departed, 
and  came  out  even  into  the  land  of  Sidom; 

87  And  behold,  there  they  found  all  the  people  who  had 
departed  out  of  the  land  of  Ammonihah,  who  had  been  cast 
out  and  stoned,  because  they  believed  in  the  words  of  Alma: 


CHAP.  10.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  357 

88  And  they  related  unto  them  all  that  had  happened  unto 
their  wives  and  children,  and  also  concerning  themselves,  and 
of  their  power  of  deliverance. 

89  And  also  Zeezrom  lay  sick  at  Sidom,  with  a  burning 
fever,  which  was  caused  by  the  great  tribulations  of  his  mind, 
on  account  of  his  wickedness,  for  he  supposed  that  Alma  and 
Amulek  were  no  more;  and  he  supposed  that  they  had  been 
slain,  by  the  cause  of  his  iniquity. 

90  And  this  great  sin,  and  his  many  other  sins,  did  har- 
row up  his  mind,  until  it  did  become  exceeding  sore,  having  no 
deliverance;  therefore  he  began  to  be  scorched  with  a  burn- 
ing heat. 

91  Now  when  he  heard  that  Alma  and  Amulek  were  in  the 
land  of  Sidom,  his  heart  began  to  take  courage;  and  he  sent 
a  message  immediately  unto  them,  desiring  them  to  come 
unto  him. 

92  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  went  immediately,  obey- 
ing the  message  which  he  had  sent  unto  them;  and  they  went 
in  unto  the  house  unto  Zeezrom; 

93  And  they  found  him  upon  his  bed  sick,  being  very  low 
with  a  burning  fever;  and  his  mind  also  was  exceeding  sore, 
because  of  his  iniquities; 

94  And  when  he  saw  them,  he  stretched  forth  his  hand, 
and  besought  them  that  they  would  heal  him. 

95  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Alma  said  unto  him,  taking 
him  by  the  hand,  Believest  thou  in  the  power  of  Christ  unto 
salvation? 

96  And  he  answered  and  said,  Yea,  I  believe  all  the  words 
that  thou  hast  taught. 

97  And  Alma  said,  If  thou  believest  in  the  redemption  of 
Christ,  thou  canst  be  healed. 

98  And  he  said,  Yea,  I  believe  according  to  thy  words. 

99  And  then  Alma  cried  unto  the  Lord,  saying,  O  Lord 
our  God,  have  mercy  on  this  man,  and  heal  him  according  to 
his  faith  which  is  in  Christ. 

100  And  when  Alma  had  said  these  words,  Zeezrom  leaped 
upon  his  feet,  and  began  to  walk; 

101  And  this  was  done  to  the  great  astonishment  of  all  the 


358  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  10. 

people;  and  the  knowledge  of  this  went  forth  throughout  all 
the  land  of  Sidom. 

102  And  Alma  baptized  Zeezrom  unto  the  Lord;  and  he  be- 
gan from  that  time  forth  to  preach  unto  the  people. 

103  And  Alma  established  a  church  in  the  land  of  Sidom, 
and  consecrated  priests  and  teachers  in  the  land,  to  baptize 
unto  the  Lord  whosoever  were  desirous  to  be  baptized. 

104  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  were  many;  for  they 
did  flock  in  from  all  the  region  round  about  Sidom,  and  were 
baptized; 

105  But  as  to  the  people  that  were  in  the  land  of  Am- 
monihah,  they  yet  remained  a  hard-hearted  and  a  stiff-necked 
people; 

106  And  they  repented  not  of  their  sins,  ascribing  all  the 
power  of  Alma  and  Amulek  to  the  devil :  for  they  were  of  the 
profession  of  Nehor,  and  did  not  believe  in  the  repentance  of 
their  sins. 

107  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  Alma  and  Amulek,  Amulek 
having  forsaken  all  his  gold,  and  silver,  and  his  precious 
things,  which  were  in  the  land  of  Ammonihah,  for  the  word 
of  God,  he  being  rejected  by  those  who  were  once  his  friends, 
and  also  by  his  father  and  his  kindred; 

108  Therefore,  after  Alma  having  established  the  church 
at  Sidom,  seeing  a  great  check,  yea,  seeing  that  the  people 
were  checked  as  to  the  pride  of  their  hearts,  and  began  to 
humble  themselves  before  God, 

109  And  began  to  assemble  themselves  together  at  their 
sanctuaries  to  worship  God  before  the  altar,  watching  and 
praying  continually,  that  they  might  be  delivered  from  Satan, 
and  from  death,  and  from  destruction: 

110  Now  as  I  said,  Alma  having  seen  all  these  things, 
therefore  he  took  Amulek  and  came  over  to  the  land  of  Zara- 
hemla,  and  took  him  to  his  own  house,  and  did  administer 
unto  him  in  his  tribulations,  and  strengthened  him  in  the 
Lord. 

111  And  thus  ended  the  tenth  year  of  the  reign  of  the 
Judges  over  the  people  of  Nephi. 


CHAP.  11.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  359 

CHAPTER  11. 

1  ^And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  eleventh  year  of  the  reign  of 
the  Judges  over  the  people  of  Nephi,  on  the  fifth  day  of  the 
second  month,  there  having  been  much  peace  in  the  land  of 
Zarahemla;  there  having  been  no  wars  nor  contentions  for  a 
certain  number  of  years;  even  until  the  fifth  day  of  the  sec- 
ond month,  in  the  eleventh  year,  there  was  a  cry  of  war  heard 
throughout  the  land; 

2  For  behold,  the  armies  of  the  Lamanites  had  come  in 
upon  the  wilderness  side,  into  the  borders  of  the  land,  even 
into  the  city  of  Ammonihah,  and  began  to  slay  the  people, 
and  to  destroy  the  city. 

3  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  before  the  Nephites  could 
raise  a  sufficient  army  to  drive  them  out  of  the  land,  they  had 
destroyed  the  people  who  were  in  the  city  of  Ammonihah, 
and  also  some  around  the  borders  of  Noah,  and  taking  oth- 
ers captive  into  the  wilderness. 

4  ^Now  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Nephites  were  desirous  to 
obtain  those  who  had  been  carried  away  captive  into  the  wil- 
derness ; 

5  Therefore  he  that  had  been  appointed  chief  captain  over 
the  armies  of  the  Nephites,  (and  his  name  was  Zoram,  and 
he  had  two  sons,  Lehi  and  Aha)  : 

6  Now  Zoram  and  his  two  sons,  knowing  that  Alma  was 
high  priest  over  the  church,  and  having  heard  that  he  had 
the  spirit  of  prophecy, 

7  Therefore  they  went  unto  him  and  desired  of  him  to 
know  whether  the  Lord  would  that  they  should  go  into  the 
wilderness  in  search  of  their  brethren,  who  had  been  taken 
captive  by  the  Lamanites. 

8  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Alma  inquired  of  the  Lord 
concerning  the  matter. 

9  And  Alma  returned  and  said  unto  them.  Behold,  the  La- 
manites will  cross  the  river  Sidon,  in  the  south  wilderness, 
away  up  beyond  the  borders  of  the  land  of  Manti. 

10  And  behold  there  shall  ye  meet  them,  on  the  east  of 
the  river  Sidon,  and  there  the  Lord  will  deliver  unto  thee 


36a  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  11. 

thy  brethren  who  have  been  taken  captive  by  the  Lamanites. 

11  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  Zoram  and  his  sons  crossed 
over  the  river  Sidon  with  their  armies,  and  marched  away 
beyond  the  borders  of  Manti,  into  the  south  wilderness,  which 
was  on  the  east  side  of  the  river  Sidon. 

12  And  they  came  upon  the  armies  of  the  Lamanites,  and 
the  Lamanites  were  scattered  and  driven  into  the  wilderness; 
that  they  took  their  brethren  who  had  been  taken  captive  by 
the  Lamanites,  and  there  was  not  one  soul  of  them  who  had 
been  lost,  that  were  taken  captive. 

13  And  they  were  brought  by  their  brethren  to  possess 
their  own  lands. 

14  And  thus  ended  the  eleventh  year  of  the  Judges,  the 
Lamanites  having  been  driven  out  of  the  land,  and  the  peo- 
ple of  Ammonihah  were  destroyed; 

15  Yea,  every  living  soul  of  the  Ammonihahites  were  de- 
stroyed, and  also  their  great  city,  which  they  said  God  could 
not  destroy,  because  of  its  greatness. 

16  But  behold,  in  one  day  it  was  left  desolate;  and  the  car- 
casses were  mangled  by  dogs  and  wild  beasts  of  the  wilder- 
ness; 

17  Nevertheless,  after  many  days,  their  dead  bodies  were 
heaped  up  upon  the  face  of  the  earth,  and  they  were  covered 
with  a  shallow  covering. 

18  And  now  so  great  was  the  scent  thereof,  that  the  peo- 
ple did  not  go  in  to  possess  the  land  of  Ammonihah  for  many 
years. 

19  And  it  was  called  Desolation  of  Nehors;  for  they  were 
of  the  profession  of  Nehor,  who  were  slain;  and  their  lands 
remained  desolate. 

20  And  the  Lamanites  did  not  come  again  to  war  against 
the  Nephites  until  the  fourteenth  year  of  the  reign  of  the 
Judges  over  the  people  of  Nephi. 

21  And  thus  for  three  years  did  the  people  of  Nephi  have 
continual  peace  in  all  the  land. 

22  If  And  Alma  and  Amulek  went  forth  preaching  repent- 
ance to  the  people  in  their  temples,  and  in  their  sanctuaries. 


CHAP.  11.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  361 

and  also  in  their  synagogues,  which  were  built  after  the  man- 
ner of  the  Jews. 

23  And  as  many  as  would  hear  their  words,  unto  them  they 
did  impart  the  word  of  God,  without  any  respect  of  persons, 
continually. 

24  And  thus  did  Alma  and  Amulek  go  forth,  and  also  many 
more  who  had  been  chosen  for  the  work,  to  preach  the  word 
throughout  all  the  land. 

25  And  the  establishment  of  the  church  became  general 
throughout  the  land,  in  all  the  region  round  about,  among  all 
the  people  of  the  Nephites. 

26  ^And  there  was  no  inequality  among  them,  for  the  Lord 
did  pour  out  his  Spirit  on  all  the  face  of  the  land,  to  prepare 
the  minds  of  the  children  of  men,  or  to  prepare  their  hearts 
to  receive  the  word  which  should  be  taught  among  them  at 
the  time  of  his  coming, 

27  That  they  might  not  be  hardened  against  the  word,  that 
they  might  not  be  unbelieving,  and  go  on  to  destruction, 

28  But  that  they  might  receive  the  word  with  joy,  and  as 
a  branch  be  grafted  into  the  true  vine,  that  they  might  enter 
into  the  rest  of  the  Lord  their  God. 

29  ^Now  those  priests  who  did  go  forth  among  the  people, 
did  preach  against  all  lyings,  and  deceivings,  and  envyings, 
and  strifes,  and  m.alice,  and  revilings,  and  stealing,  robbing, 
plundering,  murdering,  committing  adultery,  and  all  manner 
of  lasciviousness,  crying  that  these  things  ought  not  so  to  be; 

30  Holding  forth  things  which  must  shortly  come;  yea, 
holding  forth  the  coming  of  the  Son  of  God,  his  sufferings 
and  death,  and  also  the  resurrection  of  the  dead. 

31  And  many  of  the  people  did  inquire  concerning  the  place 
where  the  Son  of  God  should  come;  and  they  were  taught  that 
he  would  appear  unto  them  after  his  resurrection;  and  this 
the  people  did  hear  with  great  joy  and  gladness. 

32  And  now  after  the  church  having  been  established 
throughout  all  the  land,  having  got  the  victory  over  the  devil, 
and  the  word  of  God  being  preached  in  its  purity  in  all  the 


362  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  12. 

land;  and  the  Lord  pouring  out  his  blessings  upon  the  people; 
33  Thus   ended   the   fourteenth   year  of  the   reign   of   the 
Judges,  over  the  people  of  Nephi. 


CHAPTER  12. 

An  account  of  the  sons  of  Mosiah,  who  rejected  their  rights 
to  the  kingdom,  for  the  ivord  of  God,  and  went  up  to  the 
land  of  Nephi,  to  preach  to  the  Lamanites.  Their  suffer- 
ings ayid  deliverance,  according  to  the  record  of  Ahna. 

1  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  as  Alma  was  journeying 
from  the  land  of  Gideon,  southward,  away  to  the  land  of 
Manti,  behold,  to  his  astonishment,  he  met  the  sons  of  Mosiah, 
journeying  towards  the  land  of  Zarahemla. 

2  Now  these  sons  of  Mosiah  were  with  Alma  at  the  time 
the  angel  first  appeared  unto  him;  therefore  Alma  did  re- 
joice exceedingly,  to  see  his  brethren; 

3  And  what  added  more  to  his  joy,  they  were  still  his 
brethren  in  the  Lord;  yea,  and  they  had  waxed  strong  in 
the  knowledge  of  the  truth; 

4  For  they  were  men  of  a  sound  understanding,  and  they 
had  searched  the  scriptures  diligently,  that  they  might  know 
the  word  of  God. 

5  But  this  is  not  all:  they  had  given  themselves  to  much 
prayer,  and  fasting,  therefore  they  had  the  spirit  of  prophecy, 
and  the  spirit  of  revelation,  and  when  they  taught,  they 
taught  with  power  and  authority,  even  as  with  the  power  and 
authority  of  God. 

6  And  they  had  been  teaching  the  word  of  God  for  the 
space  of  fourteen  years,  among  the  Lamanites,  having  had 
much  success  in  bringing  many  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth ; 

7  Yea,  by  the  power  of  their  words,  many  were  brought 
before  the  altar  of  God,  to  call  on  his  name,  and  confess  their 
sins  before  him. 

8  Now  these  are  the  circumstances  which  attended  them  in 
their  journeyings,  for  they  had  many  afflictions; 

9  They  did  suffer  much,  both  in  body  and  in  mind;  such  as 
hunger,  thirst,  and  fatigue,  and  also  much  labor  in  the  spirit. 


CHAP.   12.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  363 

10  Now  these  were  their  journeyings:  Having  taken  leave 
of  their  father  Mosiah,  in  the  first  year  of  the  reign  of  the 
Judges;  having  refused  the  kingdom  which  their  father  was 
desirous  to  confer  upon  them;  and  also  this  was  the  mind  of 
the  people; 

11  Nevertheless  they  departed  out  of  the  land  of  Zara- 
hemla,  and  took  their  swords,  and  their  spears,  and  their 
bows,  and  their  arrows,  and  their  slings; 

12  And  this  they  did  that  they  might  provide  food  for 
themselves  while  in  the  wilderness : 

13  And  thus  they  departed  into  the  wilderness,  with  their 
numbers  which  they  had  selected,  to  go  up  to  the  land  of 
Nephi,  to  preach  the  word  of  God  unto  the  Lamanites. 

14  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  journeyed  many  days 
in  the  wilderness,  and  they  fasted  much,  and  prayed  much, 
that  the  Lord  would  grant  unto  them  a  portion  of  his  Spirit 
to  go  with  them,  and  abide  with  them, 

15  That  they  might  be  an  instrument  in  the  hands  of  God, 
to  bring,  if  it  were  possible,  their  brethren,  the  Lamanites, 
to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth; 

16  To  the  knowledge  of  the  baseness  of  the  traditions  of 
their  fathers,  which  were  not  correct. 

17  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  did  visit  them  with 
his  Spirit,  and  said  unto  them.  Be  comforted;  and  they  were 
comforted. 

18  And  the  Lord  said  unto  them  also.  Go  forth  among  the 
Lamanites,  thy  brethren,  and  establish  my  word; 

19  Yet  ye  shall  be  patient  in  long  suffering  and  afflictions, 
that  ye  may  shew  forth  good  examples  unto  them  in  me,  and 
I  v/ill  make  an  instrument  of  thee  in  my  hands,  unto  the 
salvation  of  many  souls. 

20  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  hearts  of  the  sons  of 
Mosiah,  and  also  those  who  were  with  them,  took  courage  to 
go  forth  unto  the  Lamanites,  to  declare  unto  them  the  word 
of  God. 

21  II And  it  came  to  pass  when  they  had  arrived  in  the 
borders  of  the  land  of  the  Lamanites,  that  they  separated 
themselves,  and  departed  one  from  another,  trusting  in  the 


364  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [<jiiaf.   12. 

Lord,  that  they  should  meet  again  at  the  close  of  their  har- 
vest: for  they  supposed  that  great  was  the  work  which  they 
had  undertaken. 

22  And  assuredly  it  was  great,  for  they  had  undertaken  to 
preach  the  word  of  God  to  a  wild,  and  a  hardened,  and  a 
ferocious  people;  a  people  who  delighted  in  murdering  the 
Nephites,  and  robbing,  and  plundering  them; 

23  And  their  hearts  were  set  upon  riches,  or  upon  gold, 
and  silver,  and  precious  stones; 

24  Yet  they  sought  to  obtain  these  things  by  murdering 
and  plundering,  that  they  might  not  labor  for  them  with  their 
own  hands: 

25  Thus  they  were  a  very  indolent  people,  many  of  whom 
did  worship  idols,  and  the  curse  of  God  had  fallen  upon  them 
because  of  the  traditions  of  their  fathers;  notwithstanding, 
the  promises  of  the  Lord  were  extended  unto  them,  on  the 
conditions  of  repentance; 

26  Therefore  this  was  the  cause  for  which  the  sons  of 
Mosiah  had  undertaken  the  work,  that  perhaps  they  might 
bring  them  unto  repentance;  that  perhaps  they  might  bring 
them  to  know  of  the  plan  of  redemption: 

27  Therefore  they  separated  themselves  one  from  another, 
and  went  forth  among  them,  every  man  alone,  according  to 
the  word  and  power  of  God,  which  was  given  unto  him. 

28  TJNow  Amnion  being  the  chief  among  them,  or  rather  he 
did  minister  unto  them;  and  he  departed  from  them,  after 
having  blessed  them  according  to  their  several  stations,  hav- 
ing imparted  the  word  of  God  unto  them,  or  administered 
unto  them  before  his  departure:  and  thus  they  took  their 
several  journeys  throughout  the  land. 

29  And  Ammon  went  to  the  land  of  Ishmael,  the  land  being 
called  after  the  sons  of  Ishmael,  who  also  became  Lamanites. 

30  And  as  Ammon  entered  the  land  of  Ishmael,  the  La- 
manites took  him  and  bound  him,  as  was  their  custom,  to 
bind  all  the  Nephites  who  fell  into  their  hands,  and  carry 
them  before  the  king; 

31  And  thus  it  was  left  to  the  pleasure  of  the  king  to  slay 
them,  or  to  retain  them  in  captivity,  or  to  cast  them  into 


CHAP.   12.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  365 

prison,  or  to  cast  them  out  of  his  land,  according  to  his  will 
and  pleasure; 

32  And  thus  Ammon  was  carried  before  the  king  who  was 
over  the  land  of  Ishmael;  and  his  name  was  Lamoni;  and  he 
was  a  descendant  of  Ishmael. 

83  And  the  king  inquired  of  Ammon  if  it  were  his  desire 
to  dwell  in  the  land  among  the  Lamanites,  or  among  his 
people? 

34  And  Ammon  said  unto  him,  Yea,  I  desire  to  dwell  among 
this  people  for  a  time;  yea,  and  perhaps  until  the  day  I  die. 

35  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  King  Lamoni  was  much 
pleased  with  Ammon,  and  caused  that  his  bands  should  be 
loosed;  and  he  would  that  Ammon  should  take  one  of  his 
daughters  to  wife. 

36  But  Ammon  said  unto  him,  Nay,  but  I  will  be  thy  serv- 
ant;   therefore  Ammon  became  a  servant  to  King  Lamoni. 

37  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  was  set,  among  other  serv- 
ants, to  watch  the  flocks  of  Lamoni,  according  to  the  custom 
of  the  Lamanites. 

38  And  after  he  had  been  in  the  service  of  the  king  three 
days,  as  he  was  with  the  Lamanitish  servants,  going  forth 
with  their  flocks  to  the  place  of  water,  which  was  called  the 
water  of  Sebus;  (and  all  the  Lamanites  drive  their  flocks 
hither,  that  they  may  have  water;) 

39  Therefore  as  Ammon  and  the  servants  of  the  king  were 
driving  forth  their  flocks  to  this  place  of  water,  behold  a  cer- 
tain number  of  the  Lamanites  who  had  been  with  their  flocks 
to  water,  stood  and  scattered  the  flocks  of  Ammon,  and  the 
servants  of  the  king,  and  they  scattered  them  insomuch  that 
they  fled  many  ways. 

40  ^Now  the  servants  of  the  king  began  to  murmur,  say- 
ing. Now  the  king  will  slay  us,  as  he  has  our  brethren,  be- 
cause their  flocks  were  scattered  by  the  wickedness  of  these 
men. 

41  And  they  began  to  weep  exceedingly,  saying,  Behold  our 
flocks  are  scattered  already. 

42  Now  they  wept  because  of  the  fear  of  being  slain. 

43  Now   when    Ammon    saw   this,   his   heart   was    swollen 


366  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  12. 

within  him,  with  joy;  for,  said  he,  I  will  shew  forth  my  power 
unto  these  my  fellow  servants,  or  the  power  which  is  in  me, 
in  restoring  these  flocks  unto  the  king,  that  I  may  win  the 
hearts  of  these  my  fellow  servants,  that  I  may  lead  them  to 
bfclieve  in  my  words. 

44  Now  these  were  the  thoughts  of  Ammon,  when  he  saw 
the  afflictions  of  those  whom  he  termed  to  be  his  brethren. 

45  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  he  flattered  them  by  his 
words,  saying,  My  brethren  be  of  good  cheer  and  let  us  go  in 
search  of  the  flocks,  and  we  will  gather  them  together,  and 
bring  them  back  unto  the  place  of  water; 

46  And  thus  we  will  reserve  the  flocks  unto  the  king,  and 
he  will  not  slay  us. 

47  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  went  in  search  of  the 
flocks,  and  they  did  follow  Ammon,  and  they  rushed  forth  with 
much  swiftness,  and  did  head  the  flocks  of  the  king,  and  did 
gather  them  together  again,  to  the  place  of  water. 

48  And  those  men  again  stood  to  scatter  their  flocks;  but 
Ammon  said  unto  his  brethren.  Encircle  the  flocks  round  about 
that  they  flee  not:  and  I  go  and  contend  with  these  men  who 
do  scatter  our  flocks. 

49  Therefore  they  did  as  Ammon  commanded  them,  and  he 
went  forth  and  stood  to  contend  with  those  who  stood  by  the 
waters  of  Sebus; 

50  And  they  were  in  number  not  a  few;  therefore  they  did 
not  fear  Ammon,  for  they  supposed  that  one  of  their  men 
could  slay  him,  according  to  their  pleasure,  for  they  knew  not 
that  the  Lord  had  promised  Mosiah  that  he  would  deliver  his 
sons  out  of  their  hands;  neither  did  they  know  anything  con- 
cerning the  Lord; 

51  Therefore  they  delighted  in  the  destruction  of  their 
brethren;  and  for  this  cause  they  stood  to  scatter  the  flocks 
of  the  king. 

52  ^But  Ammon  stood  forth  and  began  to  cast  stones  at 
them  with  his  sling;  yea,  with  mighty  power  he  did  sling 
stones  amongst  them; 

53  And  thus  he  slew  a  certain  number  of  them,  insomuch 
that  they  began  to  be  astonished  at  his  power; 


CHAP.   12.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  367 

54  Nevertheless  they  were  angry  because  of  the  slain  of 
their  brethren,  and  they  were  determined  that  he  should  fall; 

55  Therefore,  seeing  that  they  could  not  hit  him  with  their 
stones,  they  came  forth  with  clubs  to  slay  him. 

56  But  behold,  every  man  that  lifted  his  club  to  smite 
Ammon,  he  smote  off  their  arms  with  his  sword; 

57  For  he  did  withstand  their  blows  by  smiting  their  arms 
with  the  edge  of  his  sword,  insomuch  that  they  began  to  be 
astonished,  and  began  to  flee  before  him; 

58  Yea,  and  they  were  not  few  in  number:  and  he  caused 
them  to  flee  by  the  strength  of  his  arm. 

59  Now  six  of  them  had  fallen  by  the  sling,  but  he  slew 
none  save  it  were  their  leader,  with  his  sword;  and  he  smote 
oif  as  many  of  their  arms  as  were  lifted  against  him,  and  they 
were  not  a  few. 

60  And  when  he  had  driven  them  afar  off,  he  returned,  and 
they  watered  their  flocks  and  returned  them  to  the  pasture  of 
the  king,  and  then  went  in  unto  the  king,  bearing  the  arms 
which  had  been  smote  off  by  the  sword  of  Ammon,  of  those 
who  sought  to  slay  him; 

61  And  they  were  carried  in  unto  the  king,  for  a  testi- 
mony of  the  things  which  they  had  done. 

62  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  King  Lamoni  caused  that  his 
servants  should  stand  forth  and  testify  to  all  the  things  which 
they  had  seen,  concerning  the  matter. 

63  And  when  they  had  all  testified  to  the  things  which  they 
had  seen,  and  he  had  learned  of  the  faithfulness  of  Ammon 
in  preserving  his  flocks,  and  also  of  his  great  power  in  con- 
tending against  those  who  sought  to  slay  him,  he  was  aston- 
ished exceedingly,  and  said,  Surely  this  is  more  than  a  man. 

64  Behold,  is  not  this  the  Great  Spirit  who  doth  send  such 
great  punishments  upon  this  people,  because  of  their  mur- 
ders? 

65  And  they  answered  the  king,  and  said.  Whether  he  be 
the  Great  Spirit  or  a  man,  we  know  not,  but  this  much  we  do 
know,  that  he  can  not  be  slain  by  the  enemies  of  the  king; 

66  Neither  can  they  scatter  the  king's  flock  when  he  is  with 


368  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.   12. 

us,  because  of  his  expertness  and  great  strength;  therefore, 
we  know  that  he  is  a  friend  to  the  king. 

67  And  now,  O  king,  we  do  not  believe  that  a  man  has  such 
great  power,  for  we  know  that  he  can  not  be  slain. 

68  And  now  when  the  king  heard  these  words,  he  said  unto 
them.  Now  I  know  that  it  is  the  Great  Spirit;  and  he  has  come 
down  at  this  time  to  preserve  your  lives,  that  I  might  not  slay 
you  as  I  did  your  brethren. 

69  Now  this  is  the  Great  Spirit  of  whom  our  fathers  have 
spoken. 

70  Now  this  was  the  tradition  of  Lamoni,  which  he  had  re- 
ceived from  his  father,  that  there  was  a  Great  Spirit. 

71  Notwithstanding  they  believed  in  a  Great  Spirit,  they 
supposed  that  whatsoever  they  did,  was  right; 

72  Nevertheless  Lamoni  began  to  fear  exceedingly,  with 
fear  lest  he  had  done  wrong  in  slaying  his  servants; 

73  For  he  had  slain  many  of  them,  because  their  brethren 
had  scattered  their  flocks  at  the  place  of  water;  and  thus  be- 
cause they  had  had  their  flocks  scattered,  they  were  slain. 

74  Now  it  was  the  practice  of  the  Lamanites  to  stand  by 
the  waters  of  Sebus,  to  scatter  the  flocks  of  the  people,  that 
thereby  they  might  drive  away  many  that  were  scattered  unto 
their  own  land,  it  being  a  practice  of  plunder  among  them. 

75  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  King  Lamoni  inquired  of  his 
servants,  saying.  Where  is  this  man  that  has  such  great 
power? 

76  And  they  said  unto  him.  Behold,  he  is  feeding  thy  horses. 

77  Now  the  king  had  commanded  his  servants  previous  to 
the  time  of  the  watering  of  their  flocks,  that  they  should 
prepare  his  horses  and  chariots,  and  conduct  him  forth  to  the 
land  of  Nephi: 

78  For  there  had  been  a  great  feast  appointed  at  the  land 
of  Nephi,  by  the  father  of  Lamoni,  who  was  king  over  all  the 
land. 

79  Now  when  King  Lamoni  heard  that  Ammon  was  prepar- 
ing his  horses  and  his  chariots,  he  was  more  astonished,  be- 
cause of  the  faithfulness  of  Ammon,  saying, 

80  Surely,  there  has  not  been  any  servant  among  all  my 


CHAF.   12.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  369 

servants,  that  has  been  so  faithful  as  this  man;  for  even  he 
doth  remember  all  my  commandments  to  execute  them. 

81  Now  I  surely  know  that  this  is  the  Great  Spirit;  and  I 
would  desire  him  that  he  come  in  unto  me,  but  I  durst  not. 

82  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Ammon  had  made 
ready  the  horses  and  the  chariots  for  the  king  and  his  serv- 
ants, he  went  in  unto  the  king,  and  he  saw  that  the  counte- 
nance of  the  king  was  changed;  therefore  he  was  about  to 
return  out  of  his  presence; 

83  And  one  of  the  king's  servants  said  unto  him,  Rabbanah, 
which  is,  being  intei-preted,  powerful  or  great  king,  consider- 
ing their  kings  to  be  powerful: 

84  And  thus  he  said  unto  him,  Rabbanah,  the  king  desireth 
thee  to  stay; 

85  Therefore  Ammon  turned  himself  unto  the  king,  and 
said  unto  him.  What  wilt  thou  that  I  should  do  for  thee,  O 
king! 

86  And  the  king  answered  him  not  for  the  space  of  an  hour, 
according  to  their  time,  for  he  knew  not  what  he  should  say 
unto  him. 

87  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Ammon  said  unto  him  again, 
What  desirest  thou  of  me?     But  the  king  answered  him  not. 

88  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Ammon,  being  filled  with  the 
Spirit  of  God,  therefore  he  perceived  the  thoughts  of  the  king. 

89  And  he  said  unto  him,  Is  it  because  thou  hast  heard  that 
I  defended  thy  servants  and  thy  flocks,  and  slew  seven  of 
their  brethren  with  the  sling,  and  with  the  sword,  and  smote 
off  the  arms  of  others,  in  order  to  defend  thy  flocks  and  thy 
servants:    behold,  is  it  this  that  causeth  thy  marvelings? 

90  I  say  unto  you,  What  is  it,  that  thy  marvelings  are  so 
great? 

91  Behold,  I  am  a  man,  and  am  thy  servant;  therefore, 
whatsoever  thou  desirest  which  is  right,  that  will  I  do. 

92  Now  when  the  king  had  heard  these  words,  he  marveled 
again,  for  he  beheld  that  Ammon  could  discern  his  thoughts; 

93  But  notwithstanding  this,  King  Lamoni  did  open  his 
mouth;  and  said  unto  him.  Who  art  thou?  Art  thou  that 
Great  Spirit  who  knows  all  things? 


370  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.   12. 

94  Ammon  answered  and  said  unto  him,  I  am  not. 

95  And  the  king  said,  How  knowest  thou  the  thoughts  of 
my  heart? 

96  Thou  mayest  speak  boldly,  and  tell  me  concerning  these, 
things;  and  also  tell  me  by  what  power  ye  slew  and  smote  off 
the  arms  of  my  brethren,  that  scattered  my  flocks. 

97  And  now  if  thou  wilt  tell  me  concerning  these  things, 
whatsoever  thou  desirest,  I  will  give  unto  thee: 

98  And  if  it  were  needed,  I  would  guard  thee  with  my 
armies;  but  I  know  that  thou  art  more  'powerful  than  all 
they:  nevertheless,  whatsoever  thou  desirest  of  me,  I  will 
grant  it  unto  thee. 

99  Now  Ammon  being  wise,  yet  harmless,  he  said  unto 
Lamoni,  Wilt  thou  hearken  unto  my  words,  if  I  tell  thee  by 
what  power  I  do  these  things?  And  this  is  the  thing  that  I 
desire  of  thee. 

100  And  the  king  answered  him  and  said.  Yea,  I  will  be- 
lieve all  thy  words;  and  thus  he  was  caught  with  guile. 

101  And  Ammon  began  to  speak  unto  him  with  boldness, 
and  said  unto  him,  Believest  thou  that  there  is  a  God? 

102  And  he  answered,  and  said  unto  him,  I  do  not  know 
what  that  meaneth. 

103  And  then  Ammon  said,  Believest  thou  that  there  is  a 
Great  Spirit? 

104  And  he  said.  Yea. 

105  And  Ammon  said.  This  is  God. 

106  And  Ammon  said  unto  him  again,  Believest  thou  that 
this  Great  Spirit,  who  is  God,  created  all  things,  which  are  in 
heaven  and  in  the  earth? 

107  And  he  said.  Yea,  I  believe  that  he  created  all  things 
which  are  in  the  earth;  but  I  do  not  know  the  heavens. 

108  And  Ammon  said  unto  him.  The  heavens  is  a  place 
where  God  dwells,  and  all  his  holy  angels. 

109  And  King  Lamoni  said.  Is  it  above  the  earth? 

110  And  Ammon  said.  Yea,  and  he  looketh  down  upon  all 
the  children  of  men:  and  he  knows  all  the  thoughts  and  in- 
tents of  the  heart :  for  by  his  hand  were  they  all  created  from 
the  beginning. 


CHAP.  12.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  371 

111  And  King  Lamoni  said,  I  believe  all  these  things  which 
thou  hast  spoken.    Art  thou  sent  from  God? 

112  Ammon  said  unto  him,  I  am  a  man;  and  man  in  the 
beginning,  was  created  after  the  image  of  God,  and  I  am 
called  by  his  Holy  Spirit  to  teach  these  things  unto  this  peo- 
ple, that  they  may  be  brought  to  a  knowledge  of  that  which 
is  just  and  true; 

113  And  a  portion  of  that  Spirit  dwelleth  in  me,  which 
giveth  me  knowledge,  and  also  power,  according  to  my  faith 
and  desires  which  are  in  God. 

114  Now  when  Ammon  had  said  these  words,  he  began  to 
the  creation  of  the  world,  and  also  the  creation  of  Adam,  and 
told  him  all  the  things  concerning  the  fall  of  man, 

115  And  rehearsed  and  laid  before  him  the  records  and  the 
holy  scriptures  of  the  people,  which  had  been  spoken  by  the 
prophets,  even  down  to  the  time  that  their  father  Lehi  left 
Jerusalem; 

116  And  he  also  rehearsed  unto  them,  (for  it  was  unto 
the  king  and  to  his  servants,)  all  the  journeyings  of  their 
fathers  in  the  wilderness,  and  all  their  sufferings  with  hunger 
and  thirst,  and  their  travel,  etc.: 

117  And  he  also  rehearsed  unto  them  concerning  the  rebel- 
lions of  Laman  and  Lemuel,  and  the  sons  of  Ishmael,  yea,  all 
their  rebellions  did  he  relate  unto  them; 

118  And  he  expounded  unto  them  all  the  records  and  scrip- 
tures, from  the  time  that  Lehi  left  Jerusalem,  down  to  the 
present  time; 

119  But  this  is  not  all;  for  he  expounded  unto  them  the 
plan  of  redemption,  which  was  prepared  from  the  foundation 
of  the  world; 

120  And  he  also  made  known  unto  them  concerning  the 
coming  of  Christ;  and  all  the  works  of  the  Lord  did  he  make 
known  unto  them. 

121  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  after  he  had  said  all  these 
things,  and  expounded  them  to  the  king,  that  the  king  be- 
lieved all  his  words. 

122  And  he  began  to  cry  unto  the  Lord,  saying:   O  Lord 


372  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  12. 

have  mercy;  according  to  thy  abundant  mercy  which  thou  ha.rt 
had  upon  the  people  of  Nephi,  have  upon  me  and  my  people. 

123  And  now  when  he  had  said  this,  he  fell  unto  the  earth, 
as  if  he  were  dead. 

124  And  it  came  to  pass  that  his  servants  took  him  and 
carried  him  in  unto  his  wife,  and  laid  him  upon  a  bed;  and  he 
lay  as  if  he  were  dead,  for  the  space  of  two  days  and  two 
nights ; 

125  And  his  wife,  and  his  sons,  and  his  daughters  mourned 
over  him,  after  the  manner  of  the  Lamanites,  greatly  lament- 
ing his  loss. 

126  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  after  two  days  and  two 
nights,  they  were  about  to  take  his  body  and  lay  it  in  a 
sepulcher  which  they  had  made  for  the  purpose  of  burying 
their  dead. 

127  Now  the  queen  having  heard  of  the  fame  of  Ammon, 
therefore  she  sent  and  desired  that  he  should  come  in  unto 
her. 

128  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Ammon  did  as  he  was  com- 
manded, and  went  in  unto  the  queen,  and  desired  to  know 
what  she  would  that  he  should  do. 

129  And  she  said  unto  him,  The  servants  of  my  husband 
have  made  it  known  unto  me,  that  thou  art  a  prophet  of  a 
holy  God,  and  that  thou  hast  power  to  do  many  mighty  works 
in  his  name; 

130  Therefore,  if  this  is  the  case,  I  would  that  ye  should 
go  in  and  see  my  husband,  for  he  has  been  laid  upon  his  bed 
for  the  space  of  two  days  and  two  nights; 

131  And  some  say  that  he  is  not  dead,  but  others  say  that 
he  is  dead,  and  that  he  stinketh,  and  that  he  ought  to  be 
placed  in  a  sepulcher;  but  as  for  myself,  to  me  he  doth  not 
stink. 

132  Now  this  was  what  Ammon  desired,  for  he  knew  that 
King  Lamoni  was  under  the  power  of  God; 

133  He  knew  that  the  dark  veil  of  unbelief  being  cast  away 
from  his  mind,  and  the  light  whichi  did  light  up  his  mind, 
which  was  the  light  of  the  glory  of  God,  which  was  a  mar- 
velous light  of  his  goodness; 


CHAP.  12.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  373 

134  Yea,  this  light  had  infused  such  joy  into  his  soul,  the 
cloud  of  darkness  having  been  dispelled,  and  that  the  light  of 
everlasting  light  was  lit  up  in  his  soul; 

135  Yea,  he  knew  that  this  had  overcome  his  natural 
frame,  and  he  was  carried  away  in  God;  therefore,  what  the 
queen  desired  of  him,  was  his  only  desire. 

136  Therefore  he  went  in  to  see  the  king,  according  as  the 
queen  had  desired  him;  and  he  saw  the  king,  and  he  knew 
that  he  was  not  dead. 

137  And  he  said  unto  the  queen.  He  is  not  dead,  but  he 
sleepeth  in  God,  and  on  the  morrow  he  shall  rise  again;  there- 
fore bury  him  not. 

138  And  Ammon  said  unto  her,  Believest  thou  this? 

139  And  she  said  unto  him,  I  have  had  no  witness,  save 
thy  word,  and  the  word  of  our  servants;  nevertheless,  I  be- 
lieve that  it  shall  be  according  as  thou  hast  said. 

140  And  Ammon  said  unto  her,  Blessed  art  thou,  because 
of  thy  exceeding  faith;  I  say  unto  thee,  woman,  there  has 
not  been  such  great  faith  among  all  the  people  of  the  Ne- 
phites. 

141  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  she  watched  over  the  bed  of 
her  husband,  from  that  time,  even  until  that  time  on  the 
morrow  which  Ammon  had  appointed  that  he  should  rise. 

142  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  arose,  according  to  the 
words  of  Ammon;  and  as  he  arose,  he  stretched  forth  his 
hand  unto  the  woman,  and  said,  Blessed  be  the  name  of  God, 
and  blessed  art  thou; 

143  For  as  sure  as  thou  livest,  behold,  I  have  seen  my 
Redeemer;  and  he  shall  come  forth  and  be  born  of  a  woman, 
and  he  shall  redeem  all  mankind  who  believe  on  his  name. 

144  Now  when  he  had  said  these  words,  his  heart  was 
swollen  within  him,  and  he  sunk  again  with  joy:  and  the 
queen  also  sunk  down,  being  overpowered  by  the  Spirit. 

145  Now  Ammon  seeing  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  poured  out 
according  to  his  prayers  upon  the  Lamanites,  his  brethren; 
who  had  been  the  cause  of  so  much  mourning  among  the  Ne- 
phites,  or  among  all  the  people  of  God,  because  of  their  iniq- 
uities and  their  traditions, 


374  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  12. 

146  He  fell  upon  his  knees,  and  began  to  pour  out  his  soul 
in  prayer  and  thanksgiving  to  God,  for  what  he  had  done  for 
his  brethren: 

147  And  he  was  also  overpowered  with  joy;  and  thus  they 
all  three  had  sunk  to  the  earth. 

148  Now  when  the  servants  of  the  king  had  seen  that  they 
had  fallen,  they  also  began  to  cry  unto  God,  for  the  fear  of 
the  Lord  had  come  upon  them  also, 

149  For  it  v/as  they  who  had  stood  before  the  king,  and 
testified  unto  him  concerning  the  great  power  of  Ammon. 

150  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  call  on  the  name 
of  the  Lord,  in  their  might,  even  till  they  had  all  fallen  to 
the  earth,  save  it  were  one  of  the  Lamanitish  women,  "whose 
name  was  Abish,  she  having  been  converted  unto  the  Lord 
for  many  years,  on  account  of  a  remarkable  vision  of  her 
father;  thus  having  been  converted  to  the  Lord,  never  had 
made  it  known; 

151  Therefore  when  she  saw  that  all  the  servants  of  La- 
moni  had  fallen  to  the  earth,  and  also  her  mistress,  the 
queen,  and  the  king,  and  Ammon  lay  prostrate  upon  the 
earth,  she  knew  that  it  was  the  power  of  God; 

152  And  supposing  that  this  opportunity,  by  making  known 
unto  the  people  what  had  happened  among  them,  that  by  be- 
holding this  scene,  it  would  cause  them  to  believe  in  the 
power  of  God, 

153  Therefore  she  ran  forth  from  house  to  house,  making 
it  known  unto  the  people;  and  they  began  to  assemble  them- 
selves together  unto  the  house  of  the  king. 

154  And  there  came  a  multitude,  and  to  their  astonishment, 
they  beheld  the  king,  and  the  queen,  and  their  servants,  pros- 
trate upon  the  earth,  and  they  all  lay  there  as  though  they 
were  dead; 

155  And  they  also  saw  Ammon,  and  behold  he  was  a  Ne- 
phite. 

156  And  now  the  people  began  to  murmur  among  them- 
selves; some  saying,  that  it  was  a  great  evil  that  had  come 
upon  them,  or  upon  the  king  and  his  house,  because  he  had 
suffered  that  the  Nephite  should  remain  in  the  land. 


CHAP.  12.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  375 

157  But  others  rebuked  them,  saying,  The  king  hath  brought 
this  evil  upon  his  house,  because  he  slew  his  servants  who 
had  had  their  flocks  scattered  at  the  waters  of  Sebus : 

158  And  they  were  also  rebuked  by  those  men  who  had 
stood  at  the  waters  of  Sebus,  and  scattered  the  flocks  which 
belonged  to  the  king, 

159  For  they  were  angry  with  Ammon  because  of  the  num- 
ber which  he  had  slain  of  their  brethren  at  the  waters  of 
Sebus,  while  defending  the  flocks  of  the  king. 

160  Now  one  of  them,  whose  brather  had  been  slain  with 
the  sword  of  Ammon,  being  exceeding  angry  with  Ammon, 
drew  his  sword  and  went  forth  that  he  might  let  it  fall  upon 
Ammon,  to  slay  him;  and  as  he  lifted  the  sword  to  smite 
him,  behold  he  fell  dead. 

161  Now  we  see  that  Ammon  could  not  be  slain,  for  the 
Lord  had  said  unto  Mosiah,  his  father,  I  will  spare  him,  and 
it  shall  be  unto  him  according  to  thy  faith;  therefore  Mosiah 
trusted  him  unto  the  Lord. 

162  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  the  multitude  beheld 
that  the  man  had  fallen  dead,  who  lifted  the  sword  to  slay 
Ammon,  fear  came  upon  them  all,  and  they  durst  not  put  forth 
their  hands  to  touch  him,  or  any  of  those  who  had  fallen; 

163  And  they  began  to  marvel  again  among  themselves 
what  could  be  the  cause  of  this  great  power,  or  what  all  these 
things  could  mean. 

164  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  there  were  many  among 
them,  who  said  that  Ammon  was  the  Great  Spirit,  and  others 
said  he  was  sent  by  the  Great  Spirit; 

165  But  others  rebuked  them  all,  saying,  that  he  was  a 
monster,  who  had  been  sent  from  the  Nephites  to  torment  us ; 

166  And  there  were  some  who  said  that  Ammon  was  sent 
by  the  Great  Spirit  to  afflict  them,  because  of  their  iniquities ; 
and  that  it  was  the  Great  Spirit  that  had  always  attended 
the  Nephites ;  who  had  ever  delivered  them  out  of  their  hands ; 

167  And  they  said  that 'it  was  this  Great  Spirit  who  had 
destroyed  so  many  of  their  brethren,  the  Lamanites;  and 
thus  the  contention  began  to  be  exceeding  sharp  among  them. 

168  And  while  they  were  thus  contending,  the  woman  serv- 


376  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  12. 

ant  who  had  caused  the  multitude  to  be  gathered  together, 
came;  and  when  she  saw  the  contention  which  was  among  the 
multitude,  she  was  exceeding  sorrowful,  even  unto  tears. 

169  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  she  went  and  took  the  queen 
by  the  hand,  that  perhaps  she  might  raise  her  from  the 
ground:  and  as  soon  as  she  touched  her  hand,  she  arose  and 
stood  upon  her  feet,  and  cried  with  a  loud  voice,  saying, 

170  0  blessed  Jesus,  who  has  saved  me  from  an  awful  hell! 
O  blessed  God,  have  mercy  upon  this  people. 

171  And  when  she  had  said  this,  she  clapped  her  hands, 
being  filled  with  joy,  speaking  many  words  which  were  not 
understood ; 

172  And  when  she  had  done  this,  she  took  the  king,  La- 
moni,  by  the  hand,  and  behold  he  arose  and  stood  upon  his 
feet; 

173  And  he  immediately,  seeing  the  contention  among  his 
people,  went  forth  and  began  to  rebuke  them,  and  to  teach 
them  the  words  which  he  had  heard  from  the  mouth  of  Am- 
mon;  and  as  many  as  heard  his  words,  believed,  and  were 
converted  unto  the  Lord. 

174  But  there  were  many  among  them  who  would  not  hear 
his  words;  therefore  they  went  their  way. 

175  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Ammon  arose,  he  also 
administered  unto  them,  and  also  did  all  the  servants  of  La- 
moni; 

176  And  they  did  all  declare  unto  the  people  the  self-same 
thing;  that  their  hearts  had  been  changed;  that  they  had  no 
more  desire  to  do  evil. 

177  And  behold,  many  did  declare  unto  the  people  that 
they  had  seen  angels,  and  had  conversed  with  them;  and 
thus  they  had  told  them  things  of  God,  and  of  his  righteous- 
ness. 

178  And  it  came  to  pass  that  there  were  many  that  did 
believe  in  their  words:  and  as  many  as  did  believe,  were 
baptized;  and  they  became  a  righteous  people,  and  they  did 
establish  a  church  among  them; 

179  And  thus  the  work  of  the  Lord  did  commence  among 


CHAP.  12.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  377 

the  Lamanites;  thus  the  Lord  did  begin  to  pour  out  his  Spirit 
upon  them; 

180  And  we  see  that  his  arm  is  extended  to  all  people  who 
will  repent  and  believe  on  his  name. 

181  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  they  had  established 
a  church  in  that  land,  that  King  Lamoni  desired  that  Ammon 
should  go  with  him  to  the  land  of  Nephi,  that  he  might  shew 
him  unto  his  father. 

182  And  the  voice  of  the  Lord  came  to  Ammon,  saying, 
Thou  shalt  not  go  up  to  the  land  of  Nephi,  for  behold  the 
king  will  seek  thy  life;  but  thou  shalt  go  to  the  land  of  Mid- 
doni;  for  behold,  thy  brother  Aaron,  and  also  Muloki  and 
Ammah  are  in  prison. 

183  ^Now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Ammon  had  heard 
this,  he  said  unto  Lamoni,  Behold,  my  brother  and  brethren 
are  in  prison  at  Middoni,  and  I  go  that  I  may  deliver  them. 

184  Now  Lamoni  said  unto  Ammon,  I  know,  in  the  strength 
of  the  Lord,  thou  canst  do  all  things.  But  behold,  I  will  go 
with  thee  to  the  land  of  Middoni,  for  the  king  of  the  land  of 
Middoni,  whose  name  is  Antiomno,  is  a  friend  unto  me; 

185  Therefore  I  go  to  the  land  of  Middoni,  that  I  may 
flatter  the  king  of  the  land;  and  he  will  cast  thy  brethren  out 
of  prison. 

186  Now  Lamoni  said  unto  him,  Who  told  thee  that  thy 
brethren  were  in  prison? 

187  And  Ammon  said  unto  him.  No  one  hath  told  me,  save 
it  be  God;  and  he  said  unto  me,  Go  and  deliver  thy  brethren, 
for  they  are  in  prison  in  the  land  of  Middoni. 

188  Now  when  Lamoni  had  heard  this,  he  caused  that 
his  servants  should  make  ready  his  horses,  and  his  chariots. 

189  And  he  said  unto  Ammon,  Come,  I  will  go  with  thee 
down  to  the  land  of  Middoni,  and  there  I  will  plead  with  the 
king,  that  he  will  cast  thy  brethren  out  of  prison. 

190  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  as  Ammon  and  Lamoni  were 
journeying  thither,  that  they  met  the  father  of  Lamoni,  who 
was  king  over  all  the  land. 

191  And  behold,  the  father  of  Lamoni  said  unto  him,  Why 


378  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  12. 

did  ye  not  come  to  the  feast,  on  that  great  day  when  I  made  a 
feast  unto  my  sons,  and  unto  my  people? 

192  And  he  also  said,  Whither  art  thou  going  with  this 
Nephite,  who  is  one  of  the  children  of  a  liar? 

193  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Lamoni  rehearsed  unto  him 
whither  he  was  going,  for  he  feared  to  offend  him. 

194  And  he  also  told  him  all  the  cause  of  his  tarrying  in 
his  own  kingdom,  that  he  did  not  go  unto  his  father,  to  the 
feast  which  he  had  prepared. 

195  And  now  when  Lamoni  had  rehearsed  unto  him  all 
these  things,  behold  to  his  astonishment  his  father  was  angry 
with  him,  and  said,  Lamoni,  thou  art  going  to  deliver  these 
Nephites,  who  are  sons  of  a  liar. 

196  Behold,  he  robbed  our  fathers;  and  now  his  children 
are  also  come  amongst  us,  that  they  may,  by  their  cunning 
and  their  lyings,  deceive  us,  that  they  again  may  rob  us  of 
our  property. 

197  Now  the  father  of  Lamoni  commanded  him  that  he 
should  slay  Ammon,  with  the  sword. 

198  And  he  also  commanded  him  that  he  should  not  go  to 
the  land  of  Middoni,  but  that  he  should  return  with  him,  to 
the  land  of  Ishmael. 

199  But  Lamoni  said  unto  him,  I  will  not  slay  Ammon, 
neither  will  I  return  to  the  land  of  Ishmael,  but  I  go  to  the 
land  of  Middoni,  that  I  may  release  the  brethren  of  Ammon, 
for  I  know  that  they  are  just  men,  and  holy  prophets  of  the 
true  God. 

200  Now  when  his  father  had  heard  these  words,  he  was 
angry  with  him,  and  he  drew  his  sword  that  he  might  smite 
him  to  the  earth. 

201  But  Ammon  stood  forth  and  said  unto  him,  Behold 
thou  shalt  not  slay  thy  son;  nevertheless,  it  were  better  that 
he  should  fall  than  thee: 

202  For  behold  he  has  repented  of  his  sins;  but  if  thou 
shouldst  fall  at  this  time,  in  thine  anger,  thy  soul  could  not 
be  saved. 

203  And  again,  it  is  expedient  that  thou  shouldst  forbear; 
for  if  thou  shouldst  slay  thy  son,  (he  being  an  innocent  man,) 


CHAP.  12.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  379 

his  blood  would  cry  from  the  ground,  to  the  Lord  his  God,  for 
vengeance  to  come  upon  thee;  and  perhaps  thou  wouldst  lose 
thy  soul. 

204  Now  when  Ammon  had  said  these  words  unto  him,  he 
answered  him  saying,  I  know  that  if  I  should  slay  my  son, 
that  I  should  shed  innocent  blood;  for  it  is  thou  that  hast 
sought  to  destroy  him:  and  he  stretched  forth  his  hand  to 
slay  Ammon. 

205  But  Ammon  withstood  his  blows,  and  also  smote  his 
arm  that  he  could  not  use  it. 

206  Now  when  the  king  saw  that  Ammon  could  slay  him, 
he  began  to  plead  with  Ammon,  that  he  would  spare  his  life. 

207  But  Ammon  raised  his  sword,  and  said  unto  him,  Be- 
hold, I  will  smite  thee,  except  thou  wilt  grant  unto  me  that 
my  brethren  may  be  cast  out  of  prison. 

208  Now  the  king,  fearing  that  he  should  lose  his  life,  said, 
If  thou  wilt  spare  me,  I  will  grant  unto  thee  whatsoever  thou 
wilt  ask,  even  to  the  half  of  the  kingdom. 

209  ^Now  when  Ammon  saw  that  he  had  wrought  upon 
the  old  king  according  to  his  desire,  he  said  unto  him.  If  thou 
wilt  grant  that  my  brethren  may  be  cast  out  of  prison,  and 
also  that  Lamoni  may  retain  his  kingdom,  and  that  ye  be 
not  displeased  with  him,  but  grant  that  he  may  do  according 
to  his  own  desires,  in  whatsoever  thing  he  thinketh,  then  will 
I  spare  thee;  otherwise  I  will  smite  thee  to  the  earth. 

210  Now  when  Ammon  had  said  these  words,  the  king  be- 
gan to  rejoice  because  of  his  life. 

211  And  when  he  saw  that  Ammon  had  no  desire  to  de- 
stroy him,  and  when  he  also  saw  the  great  love  he  had  for 
his  son,  Lamoni,  he  v/as  astonished  exceedingly,  and  said, 

212  Because  this  is  all  that  thou  hast  desired,  that  I  would 
release  thy  brethren,  and  suffer  that  my  son  Lamoni  should 
retain  his  kingdom,  behold,  I  will  grant  unto  you  that  my 
son  may  retain  his  kingdom  from  this  time  and  for  ever;  and 
I  will  govern  him  no  more. 

213  And  I  will  also  grant  unto  thee  that  thy  brethren  may 
be  cast  out  of  prison,  and  thou  and  thy  brethren  may  come 


380  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.   13. 

unto  me,  in  my  kingdom;   for  I   shall  greatly  desire  to   see 
thee: 

214  For  the  king  was  greatly  astonished  at  the  words 
which  he  had  spoken,  and  also  at  the  words  which  had  been 
spoken  by  his  son  Lamoni;  therefore  he  was  desirous  to  learn 
them. 

215  TlAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  Ammon  and  Lamoni  pro- 
ceeded on  their  journey  towards  the  land  of  Middoni. 

216  And  Lamoni  found  favor  in  the  eyes  of  the  king  of 
the  land;  therefore  the  brethren  of  Ammon  were  brought 
forth  out  of  prison. 

217  And  when  Ammon  did  meet  them,  he  was  exceeding 
sorrowful,  for  behold,  they  were  naked,  and  their  skins  were 
worn  exceedingly,  because  of  being  bound  with  strong  cords. 

218  And  they  also  had  suffered  hunger,  thirst,  and  all  kind 
of  affliction;  nevertheless  they  were  patient  in  all  their  suf- 
ferings. 

219  And  as  it  happened,  it  was  their  lot  to  have  fallen  into 
the  hands  of  a  more  hardened  and  a  more  stiff-necked  peo- 
ple; 

220  Therefore  they  would  not  hearken  unto  their  words, 
and  they  had  cast  them  out,  and  had  smitten  them,  and  had 
driven  them  from  house  to  house,  and  from  place  to  place, 
even  until  they  had  arrived  to  the  land  of  Middoni; 

221  And  there  they  were  taken  and  cast  into  prison,  and 
bound  with  strong  cords,  and  kept  in  prison  for  many  days; 
and  were  delivered  by  Lamoni  and  Ammon. 


CHAPTER  13. 
An  account  of  the  preaching  of  Aarori  arid  Muloki,  and  their 

brethren,  to  the  Lamanites. 

1  TfNow  when  Ammon  and  his  brethren  separated  them- 
selves in  the  borders  of  the  land  of  the  Lamanites,  behold, 
Aaron  took  his  journey  towards  the  land  which  was  called 
by  the  Lamanites,  Jerusalem;  calling  it  after  the  land  of 
their  fathers'  nativity;  and  it  was  away  joining  the  borders 
of  Mormon. 


CHAP.   13.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  381 

2  Now  the  Lamanites,  and  the  Amalekites,  and  the  people 
of  Amulon,  had  built  a  great  city,  which  was  called  J-eru- 
salem. 

3  Now  the  Lamanites,  of  themselves,  were  sufficiently  har- 
dened, but  the  Amalekites,  and  the  Amulonites,  were  still 
harder;  therefore  they  did  cause  the  Lamanites  that  they 
should  harden  their  hearts,  that  they  should  wax  strong  in 
wickedness,  and  their  abominations. 

4  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Aaron  came  to  the  city  of 
Jerusalem,  and  firstly  began  to  preach  to  the  Amalekites. 

5  And  he  began  to  preach  to  them  in  their  synagogues,  for 
they  had  built  synagogues  after  the  order  of  the  Nehors;  for 
many  of  the  Amalekites  and  the  Amulonites  were  after  the 
order  of  the  Nehors. 

6  Therefore,  as  Aaron  entered  into  one  of  their  synagogues 
to  preach  unto  the  people,  and  as  he  was  speaking  unto  them, 
behold  there  arose  an  Amalekite,  and  began  to  contend  with 
him,  saying, 

7  What  is  that  thou  hast  testified?  Hast  thou  seen  an 
angel?  Why  do  not  angels  appear  unto  us?  Behold,  are 
not  this  people  as  good  as  thy  people?  Thou  also  sayest, 
except  we  repent,  we  shall  perish. 

8  How  knowest  thou  the  thought  and  intent  of  our  heart? 
How  knowest  thou  that  we  have  cause  to  repent?  How  know- 
est thou  that  we  are  not  a  righteous  people? 

9  Behold,  we  have  built  sanctuaries,  and  we  do  assemble 
ourselves  together  to  worship  God.  We  do  believe  that  God 
will  save  all  men. 

10  ^Now  Aaron  said  unto  him,  Believest  thou  that  the  Son 
of  God  shall  come  to  redeem  mankind  from  their  sins? 

11  And  the  man  said  unto  him,  We  do  not  believe  that  thou 
knowest  any  such  thing.  We  do  not  believe  in  these  foolish 
traditions. 

12  We  do  not  believe  that  thou  knowest  of  things  to  come, 
neither  do  we  believe  that  thy  fathers,  and  also  that  our 
fathers  did  know  concerning  the  things  which  they  spake,  of 
that  which  is  to  come. 

13  ^Now  Aaron  began  to  open  the  scriptures  unto  them, 


382  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  13. 

concerning  the  coming  of  Christ,  and  also  concerning  the  res- 
urrection of  the  dead,  and  that  there  could  be  no  redemption 
for  mankind,  save  it  were  through  the  death  and  sufferings 
of  Christ,  and  the  atonement  of  his  blood. 

14  And  it  came  to  pass  as  he  began  to  expound  these  things 
unto  them,  they  were  angry  with  him,  and  began  to  mock 
him;  and  they  would  not  hear  the  words  which  he  spake; 

15  Therefore,  when  he  saw  that  they  would  not  hear  his 
words,  he  departed  out  of  their  synagogue,  and  came  over  to 
a  village  which  was  called  Ani-anti,  and  there  he  found 
Muloki  preaching  the  word  unto  them;  and  also  Ammah,  and 
his  brethren.    And  they  contended  with  many  about  the  word. 

16  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  saw  that  the  people  would 
harden  their  hearts;  therefore  they  departed,  and  came  over 
into  the  land  of  Middoni. 

17  And  they  did  preach  the  word  unto  many,  and  few  be- 
lieved on  the  words  which  they  taught. 

18  Nevertheless,  Aaron,  and  a  certain  number  of  his  breth- 
ren, were  taken  and  cast  into  prison,  and  the  remainder  of 
them  fled  out  of  the  land  of  Middoni,  unto  the  regions  round 
about. 

19  And  those  who  were  cast  into  prison  suffered  many 
things,  and  they  were  delivered  by  the  hand  of  Lamoni  and 
Ammon:    and  they  were  fed  and  clothed. 

20  And  they  v/ent  forth  again  to  declare  the  word;  and 
thus  they  were  delivered  for  the  first  time  out  of  prison;  and 
thus  they  had  suffered. 

21  And  they  went  forth  whithersoever  they  were  led  by 
the  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  preaching  the  word  of  God  in  every 
synagogue  of  the  Amalekites,  or  in  every  assembly  of  the 
Lamanites  where  they  could  be  admitted. 

22  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  began  to  bless  them, 
insomuch  that  they  brought  many  to  the  knowledge  of  the 
truth;  yea,  they  did  convince  many  of  their  sins,  and  of  the 
tradition  of  their  fathers,  which  were  not  correct. 

23  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Ammon  and  Lamoni  returned 
from  the  land  of  Middoni,  to  the  land  of  Ishmael,  which  was 
the  land  of  their  inheritance. 


CHAP.  13.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  383 

24  And  King  Lamoni  would  not  suffer  that  Ammon  should 
serve  him,  or  be  his  servant;  but  he  caused  that  there  should 
be  synagogues  built  in  the  land  of  Ishmael;  and  he  caused 
that  his  people,  or  the  people  who  were  under  his  reign, 
should  assemble  themselves  together. 

25  And  he  did  rejoice  over  them,  and  he  did  teach  them 
many  things. 

26  And  he  did  also  declare  unto  them  that  they  were  a 
people  who  were  under  him,  and  that  they  were  a  free  peo- 
ple; that  they  were  free  from  the  oppressions  of  the  king, 
his  father;  for  that  his  father  had  granted  unto  him  that  he 
might  reign  over  the  people  who  were  in  the  land  of  Ish- 
mael, and  in  all  the  land  round  about. 

27  And  he  also  declared  unto  them  that  they  might  have 
the  liberty  of  worshiping  the  Lord  their  God,  according  to 
their  desires,  in  whatsoever  place  they  were  in,  if  it  were  in 
the  land  which  was  under  the  reign  of  King  Lamoni. 

28  And  Ammon  did  preach  unto  the  people  of  King  La- 
moni. And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  did  teach  them  all  things 
concerning  things  pertaining  to  righteousness. 

29  And  he  did  exhort  them  daily,  with  all  diligence;  and 
they  gave  heed  unto  his  word,  and  they  were  zealous  for 
keeping  the  commandments  of  God. 

30  Now  as  Ammon  was  thus  teaching  the  people  of  La- 
moni continually,  we  will  return  to  the  account  of  Aaron  and 
his  other  brethren; 

31  For  after  he  departed  from  the  land  of  Middoni,  he 
was  led  by  the  Spirit  to  the  land  of  Nephi;  even  to  the  house 
of  the  king  which  was  over  all  the  land,  save  it  were  the 
land  of  Ishmael:  and  he  was  the  father  of  Lamoni. 

32  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  went  in  unto  him  into  the 
king's  palace,  with  his  brethren,  and  bowed  himself  before 
the  king,  and  said  unto  him,  Behold,  O  king,  we  are  the 
brethren  of  Ammon,  whom  thou  hast  delivered  out  of  prison. 
And  now,  O  king,  if  thou  wilt  spare  our  lives,  we  will  be  thy 
servants. 

33  And  the  king  said  unto  them.  Arise  for  I  will  grant 
unto  you  your  lives,  and  I  will  not  suffer  that  ye  shall  be  my 


384  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  13. 

servants;    but  I  will  insist  that  ye  shall  administer  unto  me; 

34  For  I  have  been  somewhat  troubled  in  mind,  because 
of  the  generosity,  and  the  greatness  of  the  words  of  thy 
brother  Ammon;  and  I  desire  to  know  the  cause  why  he  has 
not  come  up  out  of  Middoni  with  thee. 

35  And  Aaron  said  unto  the  king,  Behold  the  Spirit  of  the 
Lord  has  called  him  another  way;  he  has  gone  to  the  land 
of  Ishmael,  to  teach  the  people  of  Lamoni. 

36  Now  the  king  said  unto  them,  What  is  this  that  ye  have 
said  concerning  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord?  Behold,  this  is  the 
thing  which  doth  trouble  me. 

37  And  also,  what  is  this  that  Ammon  said:  If  ye  will  re- 
pent ye  shall  be  saved,  and  if  ye  will  not  repent,  ye  shall  be 
cast  off  at  the  last  day? 

38  And  Aaron  answered  him  and  said  unto  him,  Believest 
thou  that  there  is  a  God? 

39  And  the  king  said,  I  know  that  the  Amalekites  say  that 
there  is  a  God,  and  I  have  granted  unto  them  that  they  should 
build  sanctuaries,  that  they  may  assemble  themselves  to- 
gether, to  worship  him.  And  if  now  thou  sayest  there  is  a 
God,  behold,  I  will  believe. 

40  ^And  now  when  Aaron  heard  this,  his  heart  began  to 
rejoice,  and  he  said.  Behold,  assuredly,  as  thou  livest,  O  king, 
there  is  a  God. 

41  And  the  king  said,  Is  God  that  Great  Spirit  that 
brought  our  fathers  out  of  the  land  of  Jerusalem? 

42  And  Aaron  said  unto  him.  Yea,  he  is  that  Great  Spirit, 
and  he  created  all  things,  both  in  heaven  and  in  earth:  be- 
lievest thou  this? 

43  And  he  said.  Yea,  I  believe  that  the  Great  Spirit  created 
all  things,  and  I  desire  that  ye  should  tell  me  concerning  all 
these  things,  and  I  will  believe  thy  words. 

44  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Aaron  saw  that  the  king 
would  believe  his  words,  he  began  from  the  creation  of  Adam, 
reading  the  scriptures  unto  the  king;  how  God  created  man 
after  his  own  image,  and  that  God  gave  him  commandments, 
and  that  because  of  transgression,  man  had  fallen. 

45  And  Aaron  did  expound  unto  him  the  scriptures,  from 


CHAP.   13.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  385 

the  creation  of  Adam,  laying  the  fall  of  man  before  him,  and 
their  carnal  state,  and  also  the  plan  of  redemption,  which 
was  prepared  from  the  foundation  of  the  world,  through 
Christ,  for  all  whosoever  would  believe  on  his  name. 

46  And  since  man  had  fallen,  he  could  not  merit  anything 
of  himself;  but  the  sufferings  and  death  of  Christ  atoneth  for 
their  sins,  through  faith  and  repentance,  etc.: 

47  And  that  he  breaketh  the  bands  of  death,  that  the  grave 
shall  have  no  victory,  and  that  the  sting  of  death  should  be 
swallowed  up  in  the  hopes  of  glory:  and  Aaron  did  expound 
all  these  things  unto  the  king. 

48  And  it  came  to  pass  that  after  Aaron  had  expounded 
these  things  unto  him,  the  king  said,  What  shall  I  do,  that 
I  may  have  this  eternal  life  of  which  thou  hast  spoken? 

49  Yea,  what  shall  I  do  that  I  may  be  born  of  God,  having 
this  wicked  spirit  rooted  out  of  my  breast,  and  receive  his 
Spirit,  that  I  may  be  filled  with  joy,  that  I  may  not  be  cast 
off  at  the  last  day? 

50  Behold,  said  he,  I  will  give  up  all  that  I  possess;  yea, 
I  will  forsake  my  kingdom,  that  I  may  receive  this  great  joy. 

51  But  Aaron  said  unto  him.  If  thou  desirest  this  thing,  if 
thou  wilt  bow  down  before  God,  yea,  if  thou  wilt  repent  of 
all  thy  sins,  and  will  bow  down  before  God,  and  call  on  his 
name  in  faith,  believing  that  ye  shall  receive,  then  shalt  thou 
receive  the  hope  which  thou  desirest. 

52  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Aaron  had  said  these 
words,  the  king  did  bow  down  before  the  Lord,  upon  his 
knees;  yea,  even  he  did  prostrate  himself  upon  the  earth,  and 
cried  mightily,  saying,  O  God,  Aaron  hath  told  me  that  there 
is  a  God; 

53  And  if  there  is  a  God,  and  if  thou  art  God,  wilt  thou 
make  thyself  known  unto  me,  and  I  will  give  away  all  my 
sins  to  know  thee,  and  that  I  may  be  raised  from  the  dead, 
and  be  saved  at  the  last  day. 

54  And  now  when  the  king  had  said  these  words,  he  was 
struck  as  if  he  were  dead. 

55  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  his  servants  ran  and  told  the 
queen  all  that  had  happened  unto  the  king. 


386  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.   13. 

56  And  she  came  in  unto  the  king;  and  when  she  saw  him 
lay  as  if  he  were  dead,  and  also  Aaron  and  his  brethren 
standing  as  though  they  had  been  the  cause  of  his  fall,  she 
was  angry  with  them,  and  commanded  that  her  servants,  or 
the  servants  of  the  king,  should  take  them  and  slay  them. 

57  Now  the  servants  had  seen  the  cause  of  the  king's  fall, 
therefore  they  durst  not  lay  their  hands  on  Aaron  and  his 
brethren ; 

58  And  they  plead  with  the  queen,  saying.  Why  command- 
est  thou  that  we  should  slay  these  men,  when  behold,  one  of 
them  is  mightier  than  us  all?  Therefore  we  shall  fall  before 
them. 

59  Now  when  the  queen  saw  the  fear  of  the  servants,  she 
also  began  to  fear  exceedingly,  lest  there  should  some  evil 
come  upon  her. 

60  And  she  commanded  her  servants  that  they  should  go 
and  call  the  people,  that  they  might  slay  Aaron  and  his 
brethren. 

61  Now  when  Aaron  saw  the  determination  of  the  queen, 
and  he  also  knowing  the  hardness  of  the  hearts  of  the  people, 
feared  lest  that  a  multitude  should  assemble  themselves  to- 
gether, and  there  should  be  a  great  contention,  and  a  dis- 
turbance among  them; 

62  Therefore  he  put  forth  his  hand  and  raised  the  king 
from  the  earth,  and  said  unto  him,  Stand:  and  he  stood  upon 
his  feet,  receiving  his  strength. 

63  Now  this  was  done  in  the  presence  of  the  queen,  and 
many  of  the  servants.  And  when  they  saw  it,  they  greatly 
marveled,  and  began  to  fear. 

64  And  the  king  stood  forth  and  began  to  minister  unto 
them.  And  he  did  minister  unto  them  insomuch  that  his 
whole  household  were  converted  unto  the  Lord. 

65  Now  there  was  a  multitude  gathered  together  because 
of  the  commandment  of  the  queen,  and  there  began  to  be 
great  murmurings  among  them,  because  of  Aaron  and  his 
brethren. 

66  But  the  king  stood  forth  among  them,  and  administered 


CHAP.  13.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  387 

unto  them.    And  they  were  pacified  towards  Aaron,  and  those 
who  were  with  him. 

67  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  the  king  saw  that  the 
people  were  pacified,  he  caused  that  Aaron  and  his  brethren 
should  stand  forth  in  the  midst  of  the  multitude,  and  that 
they  should  preach  the  word  unto  them. 

68  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  king  sent  a  proclamation 
throughout  all  the  land,  amongst  all  his  people  who  were  in 
all  his  land,  who  were  in  all  the  regions  round  about,  which 
was  bordering  even  to  the  sea,  on  the  east,  and  on  the  west, 
and  which  was  divided  from  the  land  of  Zarahemla  by  a 
narrow  strip  of  wilderness, 

69  Which  ran  from  the  sea  east,  even  to  the  sea  west,  and 
round  about  on  the  borders  of  the  sea-shore,  and  the  borders 
of  the  wilderness  which  was  on  the  north,  by  the  land  of 
Zarahemla,  through  the  borders  of  Manti,  by  the  head  of  the 
river  Sidon,  running  from  the  east  towards  the  west;  and 
thus  were  the  Lamanites  and  the  Nephites  divided. 

70  Now  the  more  idle  part  of  the  Lamanites  lived  in  the 
wilderness,  and  dwelt  in  tents;  and  they  were  spread  through 
the  wilderness,  on  the  west,  in  the  land  of  Nephi: 

71  Yea,  and  also  on  the  west  of  the  land  of  Zarahemla,  in 
the  borders,  by  the  sea-shore,  and  on  the  west,  in  the  land  of 
Nephi,  in  the  place  of  their  fathers'  first  inheritance,  and 
thus  bordering  along  by  the  sea-shore. 

72  And  also  there  were  many  Lamanites  on  the  east  by 
the  sea-shore,  whither  the  Nephites  had  driven  them.  And 
thus  the  Nephites  were  nearly  surrounded  by  the  Lamanites; 

73  Nevertheless  the  Nephites  had  taken  possession  of  all 
the  northern  parts  of  the  land,  bordering  on  the  wilderness, 
at  the  head  of  the  river  Sidon,  from  the  east  to  the  west, 
round  about  on  the  wilderness  side;  on  the  north,  even  until 
they  came  to  the  land  which  they  called  Bountiful. 

74  And  it  bordered  upon  the  land  which  they  called  Deso- 
lation; it  being  so  far  northward,  that  it  came  into  the  land 
which  had  been  peopled,  and  been  destroyed,  of  whose  bones 
we  have  spoken,  which  v/as  discovered  by  the  people  of  Zara- 


388  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  14. 

hernia;   it  being  the  place  of  their  first  landing.     And  they 
came  from  there  up  into  the  south  wilderness. 

75  Thus  the  land  on  the  northward  was  called  Desolation, 
and  the  land  on  the  southward  was  called  Bountiful;  it  being 
the  wilderness  which  is  filled  with  all  manner  of  wild  ani- 
mals of  every  kind;  a  part  of  which  had  come  from  the  land 
northward,  for  food. 

76  And  now  it  was  only  the  distance  of  a  day  and  a  half's 
journey  for  a  Nephite,  on  the  line  Bountiful,  and  the  land 
Desolation,  from  the  east  to  the  west  sea; 

77  And  thus  the  land  of  Nephi,  and  the  land  of  Zarahemla, 
were  nearly  surrounded  by  water;  there  being  a  small  neck 
of  land  between  the  land  northward,  and  the  land  southward. 

78  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Nephites  had  inhabited 
the  land  Bountiful,  even  from  the  east  unto  the  west  sea, 

79  And  thus  the  Nephites  in  their  wisdom,  with  their 
guards  and  their  armies,  had  hemmed  in  the  Lamanites  on 
the  south,  that  thereby  they  should  have  no  more  possession 
on  the  north,  that  they  might  not  overrun  the  land  north- 
ward; 

80  Therefore  the  Lamanites  could  have  no  more  posses- 
sions only  in  the  land  of  Nephi,  and  the  wilderness  round 
about. 

81  Now  this  was  wisdom  in  the  Nephites;  as  the  Lamanites 
were  an  enemy  to  them,  they  would  not  suffer  their  afflic- 
tions on  every  hand,  and  also  that  they  might  have  a  country 
whither  they  might  flee,  according  to  their  desires. 

82  And  now  I,  after  having  said  this,  return  again  to  the 
account  of  Ammon,  and  Aaron,  Omner,  and  Himni,  and  their 
brethren. 


CHAPTER  14. 

1  TJBehold,  now  it  came  to  pass  that  the  king  of  the  La- 
manites sent  a  proclamation  among  all  his  people,  that  they 
should  not  lay  their  hands  on  Ammon,  or  Aaron,  or  Omner, 


CHAP.  14.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  389 

preaching  the  word  of  God,  in  whatsoever  place  they  should 
be,  in  any  part  of  their  land; 

2  Yea,  he  sent  a  decree  among  them,  that  they  should  not 
lay  their  hands  on  them  to  bind  them,  or  to  cast  them  into 
prison;  neither  should  they  spit  upon  them,  nor  smite  them, 
nor  cast  them  out  of  their  synagogues,  nor  scourge  them; 

3  Neither  should  they  cast  stones  at  them,  but  that  they 
should  have  free  access  to  their  houses,  and  also  their  tem- 
ples, and  their  sanctuaries; 

4  And  thus  they  might  go  forth  and  preach  the  word  ac- 
cording to  their  desires,  for  the  king  had  been  converted  unto 
the  Lord,  and  all  his  household: 

5  Therefore  he  sent  this  proclamation  throughout  the  land 
unto  his  people,  that  the  word  of  God  might  have  no  obstruc- 
tion, but  that  it  might  go  forth  throughout  all  the  land,  that 
his  people  might  be  convinced  concerning  the  wicked  tradi- 
tions of  their  fathers, 

6  And  that  they  might  be  convinced  that  they  were  all 
brethren,  and  that  they  ought  not  to  murder,  nor  to  plunder, 
nor  to  steal,  nor  to  commit  adultery,  nor  to  commit  any  man- 
ner of  wickedness. 

7  And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  the  king  had  sent 
forth  this  proclamation,  that  Aaron  and  his  brethren  went 
forth  from  city  to  city,  and  from  one  house  of  worship  to 
another, 

8  Establishing  churches,  and  consecrating  priests  and 
teachers  throughout  the  land  among  the  Lamanites,  to  preach 
and  to  teach  the  word  of  God  among  them;  and  thus  they 
began  to  have  great  success. 

9  And  thousands  were  brought  to  the  knowledge  of  the 
Lord,  yea,  thousands  were  brought  to  believe  in  the  traditions 
of  the  Nephites;  and  they  were  taught  the  records  and  the 
prophecies  which  were  handed  down,  even  to  the  present 
time; 

10  And  as  sure  as  the  Lord  liveth,  so  sure  as  many  as 
believed,  or  as  many  as  were  brought  to  the  knowledge  of 
the  truth,  through  the  preaching  of  Ammon  and  his  brethren, 


390  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  14. 

according  to  the  spirit  of  revelation  and  of  prophecy,  and 
the  power  of  God,  working  miracles  in  them; 

11  Yea,  I  say  unto  you,  As  the  Lord  liveth,  as  many  of  the 
Lamanites  as  believed  in  their  preaching,  and  were  con- 
verted unto  the  Lord,  never  did  fall  away,  for  they  became 
a  righteous  people: 

12  They  did  lay  down  the  weapons  of  their  rebellion,  that 
they  did  not  fight  against  God  any  more,  neither  against  any 
of  their  brethren. 

13  Now  these  are  they  who  were  converted  unto  the  Lord: 
The  people  of  the  Lamanites  who  were  in  the  land  of  Ishmael, 
and  also  of  the  people  of  the  Lamanites  who  were  in  the 
land  of  Middoni,  and  also  of  the  people  of  the  Lamanites  who 
were  in  the  city  of  Nephi,  and  also  of  the  people  of  the  La- 
manites who  were  in  the  land  of  Shilom,  and  who  were  in 
the  land  of  Shemlon,  and  in  the  city  of  Lemuel,  and  in  the 
city  of  Shimnilom; 

14  And  these  are  the  names  of  the  cities  of  the  Lamanites 
which  were  converted  unto  the  Lord;  and  these  are  they  that 
laid  down  the  weapons  of  their  rebellion,  yea,  all  their  weap- 
ons of  war;  and  they  were  all  Lamanites. 

15  And  the  Amalekites  were  not  converted,  save  only  one; 
neither  were  any  of  the  Amulonites;  but  they  did  harden 
their  hearts,  and  also  the  hearts  of  the  Lamanites  in  that 
part  of  the  land  wheresoever  they  dwelt;  yea,  and  all  their 
villages  and  all  their  cities; 

16  Therefore  we  have  named  all  the  cities  of  the  Laman- 
ites in  which  they  did  repent  and  come  to  the  knov/ledge  of 
the  truth,  and  were  converted. 

17  IJAnd  now  it  came  to  pass  that  the  king  and  those  who 
were  converted,  were  desirous  that  they  might  have  a  name, 
that  thereby  they  might  be  distinguished  from  their  breth- 
ren ; 

18  Therefore  the  king  consulted  with  Aaron  and  many 
of  their  priests,  concerning  the  name  that  they  should  take 
upon  them,  that  they  might  be  distinguished. 

19  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  called  their  name  Anti- 


CHAP.  14.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  391 

Neph^Lehies;  and  they  were  called  by  this  name,  and  were 
no  more  called  Lamanites. 

20  And  they  began  to  be  a  very  industrious  people;  yea, 
and  they  were  friendly  with  the  Nephites;  therefore  they 
di^  open  a  correspondence  with  them,  and  the  curse  of  God 
did  no  more  follow  them. 

21  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Amalekites,  and  the 
Amulonites,  and  the  Lamanites  who  were  in  the  land  of 
Amulon,  and  also  in  the  land  of.  Helam,  and  who  were  in 
the  land  of  Jerusalem,  and  in  fine,  in  all  the  land  round 
about,  who  had  not  been  converted,  and  had  not  taken  upon 
them  the  name  of  Anti-Nephi-Lehi,  were  stirred  up  by  the 
Amalekites,  and  by  the  Amulonites,  to  anger  against  their 
brethren ; 

22  And  their  hatred  became  exceeding  sore  against  them, 
even  insomuch  that  they  began  to  rebel  against  their  king, 
insomuch  that  they  would  not  that  he  should  be  their  king; 
therefore  they  took  up  arms  against  the  people  of  Anti-Ne- 
phi-Lehi. 

23  l[Now  the  king  conferred  the  kingdom  upon  his  son  and 
he  called  his  name  Anti-Nephi-Lehi. 

24  And  the  king  died  in  that  self-same  year  that  the  La- 
manites began  to  make  preparations  for  war  against  the  peo- 
ple of  God. 

25  Now  when  Ammon  and  his  brethren,  and  all  those  who 
had  come  up  with  him,  saw  the  preparations  of  the  Lamanites 
to  destroy  their  brethren,  they  came  forth  to  the  land  of 
Midian,  and  there  Ammon  met  all  his  brethren; 

26  And  from  thence  they  came  to  the  land  of  Ishmael, 
that  they  might  hold  a  council  with  Lamoni,  and  also  with 
his  brother  Anti-Nephi-Lehi,  what  they  should  do  to  defend 
themselves  against  the  Lamanites. 

27  Now  there  was  not  one  soul  among  all  the  people  who 
had  been  converted  unto  the  Lord,  that  would  take  up  arms 
against  their  brethren; 

28  Nay,  they  would  not  even  make  any  preparations  for 
war;  yea,  and  also  their  king  commanded  them  that  they 
should  not. 


392  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  14. 

29  Now  these  are  the  words  which  he  said  unto  the  people 
concerning  the  matter:  I  thank  my  God,  my  beloved  people, 
that  our  great  God  has  in  goodness  sent  these  our  brethren, 
the  Nephites,  unto  us  to  preach  unto  us,  and  to  convince  us 
of  the  traditions  of  our  wicked  fathers.  • 

30  And  behold,  I  thank  my  great  God  that  he  has  given  us 
a  portion  of  his  Spirit  to  soften  our  hearts,  that  we  have 
opened  a  correspondence  with  these  brethren,  the  Nephites; 

31  And  behold,  I  also  thank  my  God  that  by  opening  this 
correspondence  we  have  been  convinced  of  our  sins;  and  of 
the  many  murders  which  we  have  committed; 

32  And  I  also  thank  my  God,  yea,  my  great  God,  that  he 
hath  granted  unto  us  that  we  might  repent  of  these  things, 
and  also  that  he  hath  forgiven  us  of  those  our  many  sins  and 
murders  which  we  have  committed,  and  took  away  the  guilt 
from  our  hearts,  through  the  merits  of  his  Son. 

33  And  now  behold,  my  brethren,  since  it  has  been  all  that 
we  could  do,  (as  we  were  the  most  lost  of  all  mankind,)  to 
repent  of  all  our  sins  and  the  many  murders  which  we  have 
committed,  and  to  get  God  to  take  them  away  from  our 
hearts,  for  it  was  all  we  could  do  to  repent  sufficiently  before 
God,  that  he  would  take  away  our  stain. 

34  Now  my  best  beloved  brethren,  since  God  hath  taken 
away  our  stains,  and  our  swords  have  become  bright,  then  let 
us  stain  our  swords  no  more  with  the  blood  of  our  brethren. 

35  Behold,  I  say  unto  you,  Nay,  let  us  retain  our  swords, 
that  they  be  not  stained  with  the  blood  of  our  brethren: 

36  For  perhaps  if  we  should  stain  our  swords  again,  they 
can  no  more  be  washed  bright  through  the  blood  of  the  Son 
of  our  great  God,  which  shall  be  shed  for  the  atonement  of 
our  sins. 

37  And  the  great  God  has  had  mercy  on  us,  and  made 
these  things  known  unto  us,  that  we  might  not  perish: 

38  Yea,  and  he  has  made  these  things  known  unto  us  be- 
forehand, because  he  loveth  our  souls  as  well  as  he  loveth 
our  children;  therefore  in  his  mercy  he  doth  visit  us  by  his 
angels,  that  the  plan  of  salvation  might  be  made  known  unto 


CHAP.  14.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  393 

us  as  well  as  unto  future  generations.     O  how  merciful  is  our 
God! 

39  And  now  behold,  since  it  has  been  as  much  as  we  could 
do  to  get  our  stains  taken  away  from  us,  and  our  swords 
are  made  bright, 

40  Let  us  hide  them  away  that  they  may  be  kept  bright, 
as  a  testimony  to  our  God  at  the  last  day,  or  at  the  day  that 
we  shall  be  brought  to  stand  before  him  to  be  judged,  that 
we  have  not  stained  our  swords  in  the  blood  of  our  brethren 
since  he  imparted  his  w^ord  unto  us,  and  has  made  us  clean 
thereby. 

41  And  now  my  brethren,  if  our  brethren  seek  to  destroy 
us,  behold,  we  will  hide  away  our  swords;  yea,  even  we  will 
bury  them  deep  in  the  earth,  that  they  may  be  kept  bright, 
as  a  testimony  that  we  have  never  used  them,  at  the  last  day; 
and  if  our  brethren  destroy  us,  behold,  we  shall  go  to  our 
God  and  shall  be  saved. 

42  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  the  king  had  made 
an  end  of  these  sayings,  and  all  the  people  were  assembled 
together,  they  took  their  swords,  and  all  the  weapons  which 
were   used   for   the   shedding  of   man's   blood,   and   they   did' 
bury  them  up  deep  in  the  earth; 

43  And  this  they  did,  it  being  in  their  view  a  testimony  to 
God,  and  also  to  men,  that  they  never  would  use  weapons 
again  for  the  shedding  of  man's  blood; 

44  And  this  they  did,  vouching  and  covenanting  with  God, 
that  rather  than  shed  the  blood  of  their  brethren,  they  would 
give  up  their  own  lives; 

45  And  rather  than  take  away  from  a  brother,  they  would 
give  unto  him;  and  rather  than  spend  their  days  in  idleness, 
they  would  labor  abundantly  with  their  hands; 

46  And  thus  we  see  that  when  these  Lamanites  were 
brought  to  believe  and  to  know  the  truth,  they  were  firm, 
and  would  suffer  even  unto  death,  rather  than  commit  sin: 

47  And  thus  we  see,  that  they  buried  the  weapons  of  peace, 
or  they  buried  the  weapons  of  war,  for  peace. 

48  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  their  brethren  the  Lamanites, 
made  preparations  for  war,  and  came  up  to  the  land  of  Ne- 


394  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  14. 

phi,  for  the  purpose  of  destroying  the  king,  and  to  place 
another  in  his  stead,  and  also  of  destroying  the  people  of 
Anti-Nephi-Lehi  out  of  the  land. 

49  Now  when  the  people  saw  that  they  were  coming 
against  them,  they  went  out  to  meet  them,  and  prostrated 
themselves  before  them  to  the  earth,  and  began  to  call  on  the 
name  of  the  Lord; 

50  And  thus  they  were  in  this  attitude  when  the  Lamanites 
began  to  fall  upon  them,  and  began  to  slay  them  with  the 
sword;  and  thus  without  meeting  any  resistance,  they  did 
slay  a  thousand  and  five  of  them;  and  we  know  that  they  are 
blessed,  for  they  have  gone  to  dwell  with  their  God. 

51  Now  when  the  Lamanites  saw  that  their  brethren  would 
not  flee  from  the  sword,  neither  would  they  turn  aside  to  the 
right  hand  or  to  the  left,  but  that  they  would  lie  down  and 
perish,  and  praised  God  even  in  the  very  act  of  perishing 
under  the  sword;  now  when  the  Lamanites  saw  this,  they  did 
forbear  from  slaying  them; 

52  And  there  were  many  whose  hearts  had  swollen  in 
them  for  those  of  their  brethren  who  had  fallen  under  the 
sword,  for  they  repented  of  the  things  which  they  had  done. 

53  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  threw  down  their 
weapons  of  war,  and  they  would  not  take  them  again,  for 
they  were  stung  for  the  murders  which  they  had  committed: 
and  they  came  down  even  as  their  brethren,  relying  upon  the 
mercies  of  those  whose  arms  were  lifted  to  slay  them. 

54  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  people  of  God  were  joined 
that  day  by  more  than  the  number  who  had  been  slain;  and 
those  who  had  been  slain  were  righteous  people;  therefore  we 
have  no  reason  to  doubt  but  what  they  are  saved. 

55  And  there  was  not  a  wicked  man  slain  among  them; 
but  there  were  more  than  a  thousand  brought  to  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  truth ;  thus  we  see  that  the  Lord  worketh  in  many 
ways  to  the  salvation  of  his  people. 

56  Now  the  greatest  number  of  those  of  the  Lamanites  who 
slew  so  many  of  their  brethren,  were  Amalekites  and  Amu- 
lonites,  the  greatest  number  of  whom  were  after  the  order 
of  the  Nehors. 


CHAP.  14.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  395 

57  Now  among  those  who  joined  the  people  of  the  Lord, 
there  were  none  who  were  Amalekites  or  Amulonites  or  who 
were  of  the  order  of  Nehor,  but  they  were  actual  descend- 
ants of  Laman  and  Lemuel: 

58  And  thus  we  can  plainly  discern,  that  after  a  people 
have  been  once  enlightened  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  and  have 
had  great  knowledge  of  things  pertaining  to  righteousness, 
and  then  have  fallen  away  into  sin  and  transgression,  they 
become  more  hardened,  and  thus  their  state  becomes  worse 
than  though  they  had  never  known  these  things. 

59  ^And  behold,  now  it  came  to  pass  that  those  Lamanites 
were  more  angry,  because  they  had  slain  their  brethren; 
therefore  they  swore  vengeance  upon  the  Nephites; 

60  And  they  did  no  more  attempt  to  slay  the  people  of 
Anti-Nephi-Lehi  at  that  time;  but  they  took  their  armies  and 
went  over  into  the  borders  of  the  land  of  Zarahemla,  and  fell 
upon  the  people  who  were  in  the  land  of  Ammonihah,  and 
destroyed   them. 

61  And  after  that,  they  had  many  battles  with  the  Ne- 
phites, in  the  which  they  were  driven  and  slain; 

62  And  among  the  Lamanites  who  were  slain,  were  almost 
all  the  seed  of  Amnion  and  his  brethren,  who  were  the  priests 
of  Noah,  and  they  were  slain  by  the  hands  of  the  Nephites; 

63  And  the  remainder  having  fled  into  the  east  wilderness, 
and  having  usurped  the  power  and  authority  over  the  La- 
manites, caused  that  many  of  the  Lamanites  should  perish  by 
fire,  because  of  their  belief: 

64  For  many  of  them,  after  having  suffered  much  loss  and 
so  many  afflictions,  began  to  be  stirred  up  in  remembrance 
of  the  words  which  Aaron  and  his  brethren  had  preached  to 
them  in  their  land: 

65  Therefore  they  began  to  disbelieve  the  traditions  of 
their  fathers,  and  to  believe  in  the  Lord,  and  that  he  gave 
great  power  unto  the  Nephites;  and  thus  there  were  many 
of  them  converted  in  the  wilderness. 

66  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  those  rulers  who  were  the 
remnant  of  the  children  of  Amnion,  caused  that  they  should 
be  put  to  death,  yea,  all  those  that  believed  in  these  things. 


396  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  14. 

67  Now  this  martyrdom  caused  that  many  of  their  breth- 
ren should  be  stirred  up  to  anger;  and  there  began  to  be  con- 
tention in  the  wilderness;  and  the  Lamanites  began  to  hunt 
the  seed  of  Amulon  and  his  brethren,  and  began  to  slay  them, 
and  they  fled  into  the  east  wilderness. 

68  And  behold  they  are  hunted  at  this  day,  by  the  La- 
manites: thus  the  words  of  Abinadi  were  brought  to  pass, 
which  he  said  concerning  the  seed  of  the  priests  who  caused 
that  he  should  suffer  death  by  fire. 

69  For  he  said  unto  them,  What  ye  shall  do  unto  me,  shall 
be  a  type  of  things  to  come. 

70  And  now  Abinadi  was  the  first  that  suffered  death  by 
fire,  because  of  his  belief  in  God:  now  this  is  what  he  meant, 
that  many  should  suffer  death  by  fire,  according  as  he  had 
suffered. 

71  And  he  said  unto  the  priests  of  Noah,  that  their  seed 
should  cause  many  to  be  put  to  death,  in  the  like  manner  as 
he  was,  and  that  they  should  be  scattered  abroad  and  slain, 
even  as  a  sheep  having  no  shepherd  is  driven  and  slain  by 
wild  beasts; 

72  And  now  behold,  these  words  were  verified,  for  they 
were  driven  by  the  Lamanites,  and  they  were  hunted,  and 
they  were  smitten. 

73  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  when  the  Lamanites  saw  that 
they  could  not  overpower  the  Nephites,  they  returned  again 
to  their  own  land;  and  many  of  them  came  over  to  dwell  in 
the  land  of  Ishmael  and  the  land  of  Nephi,  and  did  join  them- 
selves to  the  people  of  God,  who  were  the  people  of  Anti- 
Nephi-Lehi; 

74  And  they  did  also  bury  their  weapons  of  v/ar,  according 
as  their  brethren  had,  and  they  began  to  be  a  righteous  peo- 
ple; and  they  did  walk  in  the  ways  of  the  Lord,  and  did  ob- 
serve to  keep  his  commandments,  and  his  statutes,  yea,  and 
they  did  keep  the  law  of  Moses;  for  it  was  expedient  that 
they  should  keep  the  law  of  Moses  as  yet,  for  it  was  not  all 
fulfilled. 

75  But  notwithstanding  the  law  of  Moses,  they  did  look 
forward  to  the  coming  of  Christ,  considering  that  the  law  of 


CHAP.  14.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  397 

Moses  was  a  type  of  his  coming,  and  believing  that  they  must 
keep  those  outward  performances,  until  the  time  that  he 
should  be  revealed  unto  them. 

76  Now  they  did  not  suppose  that  salvation  came  by  the 
law  of  Moses;  but  the  law  of  Moses  did  serve  to  strengthen 
their  faith  in  Christ; 

77  And  thus  they  did  retain  a  hope  through  faith,  unto 
eternal  salvation,  relying  upon  the  spirit  of  prophecy,  which 
spake  of  those  things  to  come. 

78  And  now  behold.  Amnion,  and  Aaron,  and  Omner,  and 
Himni,  and  their  brethren,  did  rejoice  exceedingly,  for  the 
success  which  they  had  had  among  the  Lamanites,  seeing 
that  the  Lord  had  granted  unto  them  according  to  their 
prayers,  and  that  he  had  also  verified  his  word  unto  them  in 
every  particular. 

79  And  now,  these  are  the  words  of  Ammon  to  his  breth- 
ren, which  say  thus:  My  brothers  and  my  brethren,  behold  I 
say  unto  you.  How  great  reason  have  we  to  rejoice:  for  could 
we  have  supposed,  when  we  started  from  the  land  of  Zara- 
hemla,  that  God  would  have  granted  unto  us  such  great  bles- 
sings? 

80  And  now  I  ask,  What  great  blessings  has  he  bestowed 
upon  us?     Can  ye  tell? 

81  Behold,  I  answer  for  you;  for  our  brethren,  the  La- 
manites, were  in  darkness,  yea,  even  in  the  darkest  abyss; 
but  behold,  how  many  of  them  are  brought  to  behold  the 
marvelous  light  of  God! 

82  And  this  is  the  blessing  which  hath  been  bestowed  upon 
us,  that  we  have  been  made  instruments  in  the  hands  of  God, 
to  bring  about  this  great  work. 

83  Behold,  thousands  of  them  do  rejoice,  and  have  been 
brought  into  the  fold  of  God. 

84  Behold,  the  field  was  ripe,  and  blessed  are  ye,  for  ye 
did  thrust  in  the  sickle,  and  did  reap  with  your  mights,  yea, 
all  the  day  long  did  ye  labor; 

85  And  behold  the  number  of  your  sheaves,  and  they  shall 
be  gathered  into  the  garners,  that  they  are  not  wasted;  yea, 
they  shall  not  be  beaten  down  by  the  storm,  at  the  last  day; 


398  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  14. 

86  Yea,  neither  shall  they  be  harrowed  up  by  the  whirl- 
winds; but  when  the  storm  cometh,  they  shall  be  gathered 
together  in  their  place,  that  the  storm  can  not  penetrate  to 
them;  yea,  neither  shall  they  be  driven  with  fierce  winds, 
whithersoever  the  enemy  listeth  to  carry  them. 

87  But  behold,  they  are  in  the  hands  of  the  Lord  of  the 
harvest,  and  they  are  his;  and  he  will  raise  them  up  at  the 
last  day. 

88  Blessed  be  the  name  of  our  God;  let  us  sing  to  his 
praise,  yea,  let  us  give  thanks  to  his  holy  name,  for  he  doth 
work  righteousness  for  ever. 

89  For  if  we  had  not  come  up  out  of  the  land  of  Zara- 
hemla,  these  our  dearly  beloved  brethren,  who  have  so  dearly 
beloved  us,  would  still  have  been  racked  with  hatred  against 
us,  yea,  and  they  would  also  have  been  strangers  to  God. 

90  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Ammon  had  said  these 
words,  his  brother  Aaron  rebuked  him,  saying:  Ammon,  I 
fear  that  thy  joy  doth  carry  thee  away  unto  boasting. 

91  But  Ammon  said  unto  him,  I  do  not  boast  in  my  own 
strength,  or  in  my  own  wisdom;  but  behold,  my  joy  is  full, 
yea,  my  heart  is  brim  with  joy,  and  I  will  rejoice  in  my 
God; 

92  Yea,  I  know  that  I  am  nothing;  as  to  my  strength,  I 
am  weak;  therefore  I  will  not  boast  of  myself,  but  I  will 
boast  of  my  God;  for  in  his  strength  I  can  do  all  things;  yea, 
behold,  many  mighty  miracles  we  have  wrought  in  this  land, 
for  which  we  will  praise  his  name  for  ever. 

93  Behold,  how  many  thousands  of  our  brethren  has  he 
loosed  from  the  pains  of  hell;  and  they  are  brought  to  sing 
redeeming  love;  and  this  because  of  the  power  of  his  word 
which  is  in  us;  therefore  have  we  not  great  reason  to  re- 
joice? 

94  Yea,  we  have  reason  to  praise  him  for  ever,  for  he  is 
the  most  high  God,  and  has  loosed  our  brethren  from  the 
chains  of  hell. 

95  Yea,  they  were  encircled  about  with  everlasting  dark- 
ness and  destruction ;  but  behold,  he  has  brought  them  into  his 


CHAP.  14.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  399 

everlasting  light,  yea,   into   everlasting  salvation;   and  they 
are  encircled  about  with  the  matchless  bounty  of  his  love: 

96  Yea,  and  we  have  been  instruments  in  his  hands,  of 
doing  this  great  and  marvelous  work;  therefore  let  us  glory, 
yea,  we  will  glory  in  the  Lord;  yea,  we  will  rejoice,  for  our 
joy  is  full;  yea,  we  will  praise  our  God  for  ever. 

97  Behold,  who  can  glory  too  much  in  the  Lord?  Yea,  who 
can  say  too  much  of  his  great  power,  and  of  his  mercy,  and 
of  his  long  suffering  towards  the  children  of  men?  Behold 
I  say  unto  you,  I  can  not  say  the  smallest  part  which  I  feel. 

98  Who  could  have  supposed  that  our  God  would  have  been 
so  merciful  as  to  have  snatched  us  from  our  awful,  sinful, 
and  polluted  state? 

99  Behold,  we  went  forth  even  in  wrath,  with  mighty 
threatenings  to  destroy  his  church.  O  then,  why  did  he  not 
consign  us  to  an  awful  destruction;  yea,  why  did  he  not  let 
the  sword  of  his  justice  fall  upon  us,  and  doom  us  to  eternal 
despair? 

100  0  my  soul,  almost  as  it  were  fleeth  at  the  thought. 

101  Behold,  he  did  not  exercise  his  justice  upon  us,  but  in 
his  great  mercy  hath  brought  us  over  that  everlasting  gulf 
of  death  and  misery,  even  to  the  salvation  of  our  souls. 

102  And  now  behold,  my  brethren,  what  natural  man  is 
there,  that  knoweth  these  things?  I  say  unto  you,  there  is 
none  that  knoweth  these  things,  save  it  be  the  penitent; 

103  Yea,  he  that  repenteth  and  exerciseth  faith,  and  bring- 
eth  forth  good  v^^orks,  and  prayeth  continually  without  ceas- 
ing: unto  such  it  is  given  to  know  the  m.ysteries  of  God;  yea, 
unto  such  it  shall  be  given  to  reveal  things  which  never  have 
been  revealed; 

104  Yea,  and  it  shall  be  given  unto  such,  to  bring  thou- 
sands of  souls  to  repentance,  even  as  it  has  been  given  unto 
us  to  bring  these  our  brethren  to  repentance. 

105  Now  do  ye  remember,  my  brethren,  that  we  said  unto 
our  brethren  in  the  land  of  Zarahemla,  We  go  up  to  the  land 
of  Nephi,  to  preach  unto  our  brethren,  the  Lamanites,  and 
they  laughed  us  to  scorn? 


400  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  14. 

106  For  they  said  unto  us,  Do  ye  suppose  that  ye  can 
bring  the  Lamanites  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth? 

107  Do  ye  suppose  that  ye  can  convince  the  Lamanites  of 
the  incorrectness  of  the  traditions  of  their  fathers,  as  stiff- 
necked  a  people  as  they  are;  whose  hearts  delight  in  the  shed- 
ding of  blood;  whose  days  have  been  spent  in  the  grossest 
iniquity;  whose  ways  have  been  the  ways  of  a  transgressor, 
from  the  beginning? 

108  Now  my  brethren,  ye  remember  that  this  was  their 
language. 

109  And  moreover,  they  did  say.  Let  us  take  up  arms 
against  them,  that  we  destroy  them  and  their  iniquity  out  of 
the  land,  lest  they  overrun  us,  and  destroy  us. 

110  But  behold,  my  beloved  brethren,  we  came  into  the 
wilderness  not  with  the  intent  to  destroy  our  brethren,  but 
with  the  intent  that  perhaps  we  might  save  some  few  of 
their  souls. 

111  Now  when  our  hearts  were  depressed,  and  we  were 
about  to  turn  back,  behold,  the  Lord  comforted  us,  and  said, 
Go  amongst  thy  brethren,  the  Lamanites,  and  bear  with  pa- 
tience thine  afflictions,  and  I  will  give  unto  you  success. 

112  And  now  behold,  we  have  come,  and  been  forth  amongst 
them;  and  we  have  been  patient  in  our  sufferings,  and  we 
have  suffered  every  privation;  yea,  we  traveled  from  house 
to  house,  relying  upon  the  mercies  of  the  world;  not  upon 
the  mercies  of  the  world  alone,  but  upon  the  mercies  of  God. 

113  And  we  have  entered  into  their  houses  and  taught 
them,  and  we  have  taught  them  in  their  streets;  yea,  and  we 
taught  them  upon  their  hills:  and  we  have  also  entered  into 
their  temples  and  their  synagogues  and  taught  them; 

114  And  we  have  been  cast  out,  and  mocked,  and  spit  upon, 
and  smote  upon  our  cheeks;  and  we  have  been  stoned,  and 
taken  and  bound  with  strong  cords,  and  cast  into  prison; 
and  through  the  power  and  wisdom  of  God,  we  have  been 
delivered  again: 

115  And  we  have  suffered  all  manner  of  afflictions,  and  all 
this,  that  perhaps  we  might  be  the  means  of  saving  some  soul; 


CHAP.  14.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  401 

and  we  supposed  that  our  joy  would  be  full,  if  perhaps  we 
could  be  the  means  of  saving  some. 

116  Now  behold,  we  can  look  forth  and  see  the  fruits  of 
our  labors;  and  are  they  few? 

117  I  say  unto  you,  Nay,  they  are  many;  yea,  and  we  can 
witness  of  their  sincerity,  because  of  their  love  towards  their 
brethren,  and  also  towards  us. 

118  For  behold,  they  had  rather  sacrifice  their  lives  than 
even  to  take  the  life  of  their  enemy;  and  they  have  buried 
their  weapons  of  war  deep  in  the  earth,  because  of  their  love 
towards  their  brethren. 

119  And  now  behold  I  say  unto  you,  Has  there  been  so 
great  love  in  all  the  land? 

120  Behold,  I  say  unto  you.  Nay,  there  has  not,  even  among 
the  Nephites. 

121  For  behold,  they  would  take  up  arms  against  their 
brethren;  they  would  not  suffer  themselves  to  be  slain. 

122  But  behold,  how  many  of  these  have  laid  down  their 
lives,  and  we  know  that  they  have  gone  to  their  God,  because 
of  their  love,  and  of  their  hatred  to  sin. 

123  Now  have  v/e  not  reason  to  rejoice?  Yea,  I  say  unto 
you,  there  never  were  men  that  had  so  great  reason  to  rejoice 
as  we,  since  the  world  began: 

124  Yea,  and  my  joy  is  carried  away,  even  unto  boasting 
in  my  God;  for  he  has  all  power,  all  wisdom,  and  all  under- 
standing; he  comprehendeth  all  things,  and  he  is  a  merciful 
Being  even  unto  salvation,  to  those  who  will  repent  and  be- 
lieve on  his  name. 

125  Now  if  this  is  boasting,  even  so  will  I  boast;  for  this 
is  my  life  and  my  light,  my  joy  and  my  salvation,  and  my 
redemption  from  everlasting  wo. 

126  Yea,  blessed  is  the  name  of  my  God,  who  has  been 
mindful  of  this  people,  who  are  a  branch  of  the  tree  of  Israel, 
and  has  been  lost  from  its  body,  in  a  strange  land;  yea,  I  say, 
blessed  be  the  name  of  my  God,  who  has  been  mindful  of  us 
wanderers  in  a  strange  land. 

127  Now  my  brethren,  we  see  that  God  is  mindful  of  every 
people,  in  whatsoever  land  they  may  be  in;  yea,  he  number- 


402  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  15. 

cth  his  people,  and  his  bowels  of  mercy  are  over  all  the  earth. 
128  Now  this  is  my  joy,  and  my  great  thanksgiving;  yea, 
and  I  will  give  thanks  unto  my  God  for  ever.     Amen. 


CHAPTER  15. 

1  ^Now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  those  Lamanites  who 
had  gone  to  war  against  the  Nephites,  had  found  after  their 
many  struggles  to  destroy  them,  that  it  was  in  vain  to  seek 
their  destruction,  they  returned  again  to  the  land  of  Nephi. 

2  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Amalekites,  because  of  their 
loss,  were  exceeding  angry.  < 

3  And  when  they  saw  that  they  could  not  seek  revenge 
from  the  Nephites,  they  began  to  stir  up  the  people  in  anger 
against  their  brethren,  the  people  of  Anti-Nephi-Lehi ;  there- 
fore they  began  again  to  destroy  them. 

4  Now  this  people  again  refused  to  take  their  arms,  and 
they  suffered  themselves  to  be  slain  according  to  the  desires 
of  their  enemies. 

5  Now  when  Ammon  and  his  brethren  saw  this  work  of 
destruction  among  those  who  they  so  dearly  beloved,  and 
among  those  who  had  so  dearly  beloved  them;  for  they  were 
treated  as  though  they  were  angels  sent  from  God  to  save 
them  from  everlasting  destruction; 

6  Therefore  when  Ammon  and  his  brethren  saw  this  great 
work  of  destruction,  they  were  moved  with  compassion,  and 
they  said  unto  the  king.  Let  us  gather  together  this  people  of 
the  Lord,  and  let  us  go  down  to  the  land  of  Zarahemla,  to  our 
brethren,  the  Nephites,  and  flee  out  of  the  hands  of  our  ene- 
mies, that  we  be  not  destroyed. 

7  But  the  king  said  unto  them,  Behold,  the  Nephites  will 
destroy  us,  because  of  the  many  murders  and  sins  we  have 
committed  against  them. 

8  And  Ammon  said,  I  will  go  and  inquire  of  the  Lord,  and 
if  he  say  unto  us.  Go  down  unto  our  brethren,  will  ye  go? 

9  And  the  king  said  unto  him,  Yea:  if  the  Lord  saith 
unto  us.  Go,  we  will  go  down  unto  our  brethren,  and  we  will 


CHAP.  15.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  403 

be  their  slaves  until  we  repair  unto  them  the  many  murders 
and  sins  which  we  have  committed  against  them. 

10  But  Ammon  said  unto  him,  It  is  against  the  law  of  our 
brethren,  which  was  established  by  my  father,  that  there 
should  be  any  slaves  among  them;  therefore  let  us  go  down 
and  rely  upon  the  mercies  of  our  brethren. 

11  But  the  king  said  unto  him.  Inquire  of  the  Lord,  and  if 
he  saith  unto  us,  Go,  we  will  go;  otherwise  we  will  perish 
in  the  land. 

12  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  Ammon  went  and  inquired 
of  the  Lord,  and  the  Lord  said  unto  him.  Get  this  people  out 
of  this  land,  that  they  perish  not,  for  Satan  has  great  hold 
on  the  hearts  of  the  Amalekites,  who  do  stir  up  the  Lamanites 
to  anger  against  their  brethren,  to  slay  them;  therefore  get 
thee  out  of  this  land;  and  blessed  are  this  people  in  this  gen- 
eration; for  I  will  preserve  them. 

13  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  Ammon  went  and  told 
the  king  all  the  words  which  the  Lord  had  said  unto  him. 

14  ^nd  they  gathered  together  all  their  people;  yea,  all 
the  people  of  the  Lord,  and  did  gather  together  all  their 
flocks  and  herds,  and  departed  out  of  the  land,  and  came  into 
the  wilderness  which  divided  the  land  of  Nephi  from  the  land 
of  Zarahemla,  and  came  over  near  the  borders  of  the  land. 

15  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Ammon  said  unto  them,  Be- 
hold, I  and  my  brethren  will  go  forth  into  the  land  of  Zara- 
hemla, and  ye  shall  remain  here  until  we  return;  and  we  v/ill 
try  the  hearts  of  our  brethren,  whether  they  will  that  ye  shall 
come  into  their  land. 

16  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  as  Ammon  was  going  forth 
into  the  land,  that  he  and  his  brethren  met  Alma,  over  in  the 
place  of  which  has  been  spoken;  and  behold,  this  was  a  joy- 
ful meeting. 

17  Now  the  joy  of  Ammon  was  so  great,  even  that  he  was 
full,  yea,  he  was  swallowed  up  in  the  joy  of  his  God,  even  to 
the  exhausting  of  his  strength ;  and  he  fell  again  to  the  earth. 

18  Now  was  not  this  exceeding  joy?  Behold,  this  is  joy 
which  none  receiveth  save  it  be  the  truly  penitent  and  hum- 
ble seeker  of  happiness. 


404  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  15. 

19  Now  the  joy  of  Alma  in  meeting  his  brethren  was  truly 
great,  and  also  the  joy  of  Aai^n,  of  Omner,  and  Himni:  but 
behold,  their  joy  was  not  that  to  exceed  their  strength. 

20  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  Alma  conducted  his 
orethren  back  to  the  land  of  Zarahemla;  even  to  his  own 
house. 

21  And  they  went  and  told  the  chief  judge  all  the  things 
that  had  happened  unto  them  in  the  land  of  Nephi  among 
their  brethren,  the  Lamanites. 

22  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  chief  judge  sent  a  proc- 
lamation throughout  all  the  land,  desiring  the  voice  of  the 
people  concerning  the  admitting  their  brethren,  who  were  the 
people  of  Anti-Nephi-Lehi. 

23  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  voice  of  the  people  came, 
saying:  Behold,  we  will  give  up  the  land  of  Jershon,  which  is 
on  the  east  by  the  sea,  which  joins  the  land  Bountiful,  which 
is  on  the  south  of  the  land  Bountiful;  and  this  land  Jershon 
is  the  land  which  we  will  give  unto  our  brethren  for  an  in- 
heritance. 

24  And  behold,  we  will  set  our  armies  between  the  land 
Jershon  and  the  land  Nephi,  that  we  may  protect  our  breth- 
ren in  the  land  Jershon; 

25  And  this  we  do  for  our  brethren,  on  account  of  their 
fear  to  take  up  arms  against  their  brethren,  lest  they  should 
commit  sin;  and  this  their  great  fear  came,  because  of  their 
sore  repentance  which  they  had,  on  account  of  their  many 
murders,  and  their  awful  wickedness. 

26  And  now  behold,  this  will  we  do  unto  our  brethren,  that 
they  may  inherit  the  land  Jershon;  and  we  will  guard  them 
from  their  enemies  with  our  armies,  on  conditions  they  will 
give  us  a  portion  of  their  substance  to  assist  us,  that  we  may 
maintain  our  armies. 

27  IJNow  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Ammon  had  heard  this, 
he  returned  to  the  people  of  Anti-Nephi-Lehi,  and  also  Alma 
with  him,  into  the  wilderness,  where  they  had  pitched  their 
tents,  and  made  known  unto  them  all  these  things. 

28  And  Alma  also  related  unto  them  his  conversion  with 


CHAP.  15.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  405 

Ammon,  and  Aaron  and  his  brethren.     And  it  came  to  pass 
that  it  did  cause  great  joy  among  them. 

29  And  they  went  down  into  the  land  of  Jershon,  and  took 
possession  of  the  land  of  Jershon;  and  they  were  called  by 
the  Nephites  the  people  of  Ammon; 

30  Therefore  they  were  distinguished  by  that  name  ever 
after;  and  they  were  among  the  people  of  Nephi,  and  also 
numbered  among  the  people  who  were  of  the  church  of  God. 

31  And  they  were  also  distinguished  for  their  zeal  towards 
God,  and  also  towards  men;  for  they  were  perfectly  honest 
and  upright  in  all  things;  and  they  were  firm  in  the  faith  of 
Christ,  even  unto  the  end. 

32  And  they  did  look  upon  shedding  the  blood  of  their 
brethren  with  the  greatest  abhorrence;  and  they  never  could 
be  prevailed  upon  to  take  up  arms  against  their  brethren: 

33  And  they  never  did  look  upon  death  with  any  degree  of 
terror  for  their  hope  and  views  of  Christ  and  the  resurrec- 
tion; therefore  death  was  swallowed  up  to  them  by  the  vic- 
tory of  Christ  over  it; 

34  Therefore  they  would  suffer  death  in  the  most  aggra- 
vating and  distressing  manner  which  could  be  inflicted  by 
their  brethren,  before  they  would  take  the  sword  or  the 
cimeter  to  smite  them. 

35  And  thus  they  were  a  zealous  and  beloved  people,  a 
highly  favored  people  of  the  Lord. 

36  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  after  the  people  of 
Ammon  were  established  in  the  land  of  Jershon,  and  a  church 
also  established  in  the  land  of  Jershon;  apd  the  armies  of  the 
Nephites  were  set  round  about  the  land  of  Jershon;  yea,  in 
all  the  borders  round  about  the  land  of  Zarahemla;  behold 
the  armies  of  the  Lamanites  had  followed  their  brethren  into 
the  wilderness. 

37  And  thus  there  was  a  tremendous  battle;  yea,  even  such 
an  one  as  never  had  been  known  among  all  the  people  in  the 
land  from  the  time  Lehi  left  Jerusalem;  yea,  and  tens  of 
thousands  of  the  Lamanites  were  slain  and  scattered  abroad. 

38  Yea,  and  also  there  was  a  tremendous  slaughter  among 
the  people  of  Nephi;  nevertheless,  the  Lamanites  were  driven 


406  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  15. 

and  scattered,  and  the  people  of  Nephi  returned  again  to  their 
land. 

39  And  now  this  was  a  time  that  there  was  a  great  mourn- 
ing and  lamentation  heard  throughout  all  the  land  among  all 
the  people  of  Nephi; 

40  Yea,  the  cry  of  widows  mourning  for  their  husbands, 
and  also  of  fathers  mourning  for  their  sons,  and  the  daughter 
for  the  brother;  yea,  the  brother  for  the  father: 

41  And  thus  the  cry  of  mourning  was  heard  among  every 
one  of  them:  mourning  for  their  kindred  who  had  been  slain. 

42  And  now  surely  this  was  a  sorrowful  day;  yea,  a  time 
of  solemnity  and  a  time  of  much  fasting  and  prayer:  and 
thus  ended  the '  fifteenth  year  of  the  reign  of  the  Judges  of 
the  people  of  Nephi; 

43  And  this  is  the  account  of  Ammon  and  his  brethren, 
their  journeyings  in  the  land  of  Nephi,  their  sufferings  in 
the  land,  their  sorrows,  and  their  afflictions,  and  their  incom- 
prehensible joy,  and  the  reception  and  safety  of  the  brethren 
in  the  land  of  Jershon. 

44  And  now  may  the  Lord,  the  Redeemer  of  all  men,  bless 
their  souls  for  ever. 

45  And  this  is  the  account  of  the  wars  and  contentions 
among  the  Nephites,  and  also  the  wars  between  the  Nephites 
and  the  Lamanites;  and  the  fifteenth  year  of  the  reign  of  the 
Judges  is  ended; 

46  And  from  the  first  year  to  the  fifteenth,  has  brought  to 
pass  the  destruction  of  many  thousand  lives;  yea,  it  has 
brought  to  pass  an  awful  scene  of  bloodshed; 

47  And  the  bodies  of  many  thousands  are  laid  low  in  the 
earth,  while  the  bodies  of  many  thousands  are  mouldering  in 
heaps  upon  the  face  of  the  earth; 

48  Yea,  and  many  thousands  are  mourning  for  the  loss  of 
their  kindred,  because  they  have  reason  to  fear,  according  to 
the  promises  of  the  Lord,  that  they  are  consigned  to  a  state 
of  endless  wo; 

49  While  many  thousands  of  others  truly  mourn  for  the 
loss  of  their  kindred,  yet  they  rejoice  and  exult  in  the  hope, 
yea,  and  even  know,  according  to  the  promises  of  the  Lord, 


CHAP.  15.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  407 

that  they  are  raised  to  dwell  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  in  a 
state  of  never  ending  happiness; 

50  And  thus  we  see  how  great  the  inequality  of  man  is 
because  of  sin  and  transgression,  and  the  power  of  the  devil, 
which  comes  by  the  cunning  plans  which  he  hath  devised  to 
ensnare  the  hearts  of  men: 

51  And  thus  we  see  the  great  call  of  the  diligence  of  men 
to  labor  in  the  vineyards  of  the  Lord;  and  thus  we  see  the 
great  reason  of  sorrow,  and  also  of  rejoicing;  sorrow  because 
of  death  and  destruction  among  men,  and  joy  because  of  the 
light  of  Christ  unto  life. 

52  O  that  I  were  an  angel,  and  could  have  the  wish  of  mine 
heart,  that  I  might  go  forth  and  speak  with  the  trump  of 
God,  with  a  voice  to  shake  the  earth,  and  cry  repentance  unto 
every  people; 

53  Yea,  I  would  declare  unto  every  soul,  as  with  the  voice 
of  thunder,  repentance,  and  the  plan  of  redemption,  that  they 
should  repent  and  come  unto  our  God,  that  there  might  be  no 
more  sorrow  upon  all  the  face  of  the  earth. 

54  But  behold,  I  am  a  man,  and  do  sin  in  my  wish;  for  I 
ought  to  be  content  with  the  things  which  the  Lord  hath  al- 
lotted unto  me. 

55  I  ought  not  to  harrow  up  in  my  desires,  the  firm  decree 
of  a  just  God,  for  I  know  that  he  granteth  unto  men  accord- 
ing to  their  desire,  whether  it  be  unto  death  or  unto  life;  yea, 
I  know  that  he  allotteth  unto  men,  yea,  decreeth  unto  them 
decrees  which  are  unalterable,  according  to  their  wills; 
whether  they  be  unto  salvation  or  unto  destruction; 

56  Yea,  and  I  know  that  good  and  evil  have  come  before 
all  men;  or  he  that  knoweth  not  good  from  evil  is  blameless; 
but  he  that  knoweth  good  and  evil,  to  him  it  is  given  accord- 
ing to  his  desires;  whether  he  desireth  good  or  evil,  life  or 
death,  joy  or  remorse  of  conscience. 

57  Now  seeing  that  I  know  these  things,  why  should  I  de- 
sire more  than  to  perform  the  work  to  which  I  have  been 
called? 

58  Why  should  I  desire  that  I  was  an  angel,  that  I  could 
speak  unto  all  the  ends  of  the  earth? 


408  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  15. 

59  For  behold,  the  Lord  doth  grant  unto  all  nations,  of 
their  own  nation  and  tongue,  to  teach  his  word;  yea,  in  wis- 
dom, all  that  he  seeth  fit  that  they  should  have;  therefore  we 
see  that  the  Lord  doth  counsel  in  his  wisdom,  according  to 
that  which  is  just  and  true. 

60  I  know  that  which  the  Lord  hath  commanded  me,  and  I 
glory  in  it :  I  do  not  glory  of  myself,  but  I  glory  in  that  which 
the  Lord  hath  commanded  me; 

61  Yea,  and  this  is  my  glory,  that  perhaps  I  may  be  an 
instrument  in  the  hands  of  God,  to  bring  some  soul  to  repent- 
ance; and  this  is  my  joy. 

62  And  behold,  when  I  see  many  of  my  brethren  truly  peni- 
tent, and  coming  to  the  Lord  their  God,  then  is  my  soul  filled 
with  joy;  then  do  I  remember  what  the  Lord  has  done  for  me; 
yea,  even  that  he  hath  heard  my  prayer;  yea,  then  do  I  re- 
member his  merciful  arm  which  he  extended  towards  me; 

63  Yea,  and  I  also  remember  the  captivity  of  my  fathers; 
for  I  surely  do  know  that  the  Lord  did  deliver  them  out  of 
bondage,  and  by  this  did  establish  his  church;  yea,  the  Lord 
God,  the  God  of  Abraham,  the  God  of  Isaac,  and  the  God  of 
Jacob,  did  deliver  them  out  of  bondage; 

64  Yea,  I  have  always  remembered  the  captivity  of  my 
fathers;  and  that  same  God  who  delivered  them  out  of  the 
hands  of  the  Egyptians,  did  deliver  them  out  of  bondage;  yea, 
and  that  same  God  did  establish  his  church  among  them; 

65  Yea,  and  that  same  God  hath  called  me  by  a  holy  call- 
ing, to  preach  the  word  unto  this  people,  and  hath  given  me 
much  success,  in  the  which  my  joy  is  full;  but  I  do  not  joy  in 
my  own  success  alone,  but  my  joy  is  more  full  because  of  the 
success  of  my  brethren,  who  have  been  up  to  the  land  of 
Nephi. 

66  Behold,  they  have  labored  exceedingly,  and  have  brought 
forth  much  fruit;  and  how  great  shall  be  their  reward. 

67  Now  when  I  think  of  the  success  of  these  my  brethren, 
my  soul  is  carried  away,  even  to  the  separation  of  it  from 
the  body,  as  it  were,  so  great  is  my  joy. 

68  ^And  now  may  God  grant  unto  these  my  brethren,  that 
they  may  sit  down  in  the  kingdom  of  God;  yea,  and  also  all 


CHAP.  16.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  409 

those  who  are  the  fruit  of  their  labors  that  they  may  go  no 
more  out,  but  that  they  may  praise  him  for  ever. 

69  And  may  God  grant  that  it  may  be  done  according  to 
my  words,  even  as  I  have  spoken.    Amen. 


CHAPTER  16. 

1  ^Behold,  now  it  came  to  pass  that  after  the  people  of 
Ammon  were  established  in  the  land  of  Jershon,  yea,  and  also 
after  the  Lamanites  were  driven  out  of  the  land,  and  their 
dead  were  buried  by  the  people  of  the  land. 

2  Now  their  dead  were  not  numbered,  because  of  the  great- 
ness of  their  numbers,  neither  were  the  dead  of  the  Nephites 
numbered. 

3  But  it  came  to  pass  after  they  had  buried  their  dead, 
and  also  after  the  days  of  fasting,  and  mourning,  and  prayer, 
(and  it  was  in  the  sixteenth  year  of  the  reign  of  the  Judges 
over  the  people  of  Nephi,)  there  began  to  be  continual  peace 
throughout  all  the  land,  yea,  and  the  people  did  observe  to 
keep  the  commandments  of  the  Lord; 

4  And  they  were  strict  in  observing  the  ordinances  of  God, 
according  to  the  law  of  Moses;  for  they  were  taught  to  keep 
the  law  of  Moses,  until  it  should  be  fulfilled; 

5  And  thus  the  people  did  have  no  disturbance  in  all  the 
sixteenth  year  of  the  reign  of  the  Judges  over  the  people  of 
Nephi. 

6  ^And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  seventeenth  year  of  the  reign 
of  the  Judges,  there  was  continual  peace. 

7  But  it  came  to  pass  in  the  latter  end  of  the  seventeenth 
year,  there  came  a  man  into  the  land  of  Zarahemla;  and  he 
was  Anti-christ,  for  he  began  to  preach  unto  the  people 
against  the  prophecies  which  had  been  spoken  by  the  prophets 
concerning  the  coming  of  Christ. 

8  Now  there  was  no  law  against  a  man's  belief;  for  it  was 
strictly  contrary  to  the  commands  of  God,  that  there  should 
be  a  law  which  should  bring  men  on  to  unequal  grounds. 

9  For  thus  saith  the  scripture.  Choose  ye  this  day  whom 
ye  will  serve. 


410  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.   16. 

10  Now  if  a  man  desired  to  serve  God,  it  was  his  privilege, 
or  rather  if  he  believed  in  God,  it  was  his  privilege  to  serve 
him;  but  if  he  did  not  believe  in  him,  there  was  no  law  to 
punish  him. 

11  But  if  he  murdered,  he  was  punished  unto  death;  and  if 
ne  robbed,  he  was  also  punished;  and  if  he  stole,  he  was  also 
punished;  and  if  he  committed  adultery,  he  was  also  pun- 
ished; yea,  for  all  this  wickedness,  they  were  punished;  for 
there  was  a  law  that  men  should  be  judged  according  to  their 
crimes. 

12  Nevertheless,  there  was  no  law  against  a  man's  belief; 
therefore,  a  man  was  punished  only  for  the  crimes  which  he 
had  done;  therefore  all  men  were  on  equal  grounds. 

13  And  this  Anti-christ,  whose  name  was  Korihor,  (and  the 
law  could  have  no  hold  upon  him,)  began  to  preach  unto  the 
people,  that  there  should  be  no  Christ. 

14  And  after  this  manner  did  he  preach,  saying:  0  ye  that 
are  bound  down  under  a  foolish  and  a  vain  hope,  why  do  ye 
yoke  yourselves  with  such  foolish  things?  Why  do  ye  look 
tor  a  Christ?  For  no  man  can  know  of  anything  which  is  to 
come. 

15  Behold,  these  things  which  ye  call  prophecies,  which  ye 
say  are  handed  down  by  holy  prophets,  behold,  they  are  fool- 
ish traditions  of  your  fathers.  How  do  ye  know  of  their 
surety? 

16  Behold,  ye  can  not  know  of  things  which  ye  do  not  see; 
therefore  ye  can  not  know  that  there  shall  be  a  Christ. 

17  Ye  look  forward  and  say,  that  ye  see  a  remission  of  your 
sins.  But  behold,  it  is  the  effect  of  a  frenzied  mind:  and 
this  derangement  of  your  minds  comes  because  of  the  tradi- 
tion of  your  fathers,  which  lead  you  away  into  a  belief  of 
things  which  are  not  so. 

18  And  many  more  such  things  did  he  say  unto  them,  tell- 
ing them  that  there  could  be  no  atonement  made  for  the  sins 
of  men,  but  every  man  fared  in  this  life,  according  to  the 
management  of  the  creature;  therefore  every  man  prospered 
according  to  his  genius,  and  that  every  man  conquered  ac- 


CHAP.   16.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  411 

cording  to  his  strength;  and  whatsoever  a  man  did,  was  no 
crime. 

19  And  thus  he  did  preach  unto  them,  leading  away  the 
hearts  of  many,  causing  them  to  lift  up  their  heads  in  their 
wickedness;  yea,  leading  away  many  women,  and  also  men,  to 
commit  whoredoms;  telling  them  that  when  a  man  was  dead, 
that  was  the  end  thereof. 

20  ^Now  this  man  went  over  to  the  land  of  Jershon  also, 
to  preach  these  things  among  the  people  of  Ammon,  who  were 
once  the  people  of  the  Lamanites. 

21  But  behold,  they  were  more  wise  than  many  of  the  Ne- 
phites;  for  they  took  him,  and  bound  him,  and  carried  him 
before  Ammon,  who  was  a  high  priest  over  that  people. 

22  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  caused  that  he  should  be 
carried  out  of  the  land. 

23  And  he  came  over  into  the  land  of  Gideon,  and  began 
to  preach  unto  them  also;  and  here  he  did  not  have  much 
success,  for  he  was  taken  and  bound,  and  carried  before  the 
high  priest,  and  also  the  chief  judge  over  the  land. 

24  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  high  priest  said  unto  him, 
Why  do  ye  go  about  perverting  the  ways  of  the  Lord? 

25  Why  do  ye  teach  this  people  that  there  shall  be  no 
Christ,  to  interrupt  their  rejoicings? 

26  Why  do  ye  speak  against  all  the  prophecies  of  the  holy 
prophets? 

27  Now  the  high  priest's  name  was  Giddonah. 

28  And  Korihor  said  unto  him,  Because  I  do  not  teach  the 
foolish  traditions  of  your  fathers,  and  because  I  do  not  teach 
this  people  to  bind  themselves  down  under  the  foolish  ordi- 
nances and  performances  which  are  laid  down  by  ancient 
priests,  to  usurp  power  and  authority  over  them,  to  keep 
them  in  ignorance,  that  they  may  not  lift  up  their  heads,  but 
be  brought  down  according  to  thy  words. 

29  Ye  say  that  this  people  is  a  free  people.  Behold,  I  say 
tney  are  in  bondage. 

30  Ye  say  that  those  ancient  prophecies  are  true.  Behold, 
I  say  that  ye  do  not  know  that  they  are  true. 

31  Ye  say  that  this  people  is  a  guilty  and  a  fallen  people. 


412  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.   16. 

because  of  the  transgression  of  a  parent.     Behold,  I  say  that 
a  child  is  not  guilty  because  of  its  parents. 

32  And  ye  also  say  that  Christ  shall  come.  But  behold,  I 
say  that  ye  do  not  know  that  there  shall  be  a  Christ. 

33  And  ye  say  also,  that  he  shall  be  slain  for  the  sins  of 
the  world;  and  thus  ye  lead  away  this  people  after  the  fool- 
ish traditions  of  your  fathers,  and  according  to  your  own 
desires; 

34  And  ye  keep  them  down,  even  as  it  were,  in  bondage, 
that  ye  may  glut  yourselves  with  the  labors  of  their  hands, 
that  they  durst  not  look  up  with  boldness,  and  that  they  durst 
not  enjoy  their  rights  and  privileges; 

35  Yea,  they  durst  not  make  use  of  that  which  is  their  own, 
lest  they  should  offend  their  priests,  who  do  yoke  them  accord- 
ing to  their  desires,  and  have  brought  them  to  believe  by  their 
traditions,  and  their  dreams,  and  their  whims,  and  their  vis- 
ions, and  their  pretended  mysteries,  that  they  should,  if  they 
did  not  do  according  to  their  words,  offend  some  unknown 
being,  who  they  say  is  God;  a  being  who  never  has  been  seen 
nor  known,  who  never  was  nor  ever  will  be. 

36  Now  when  the  high  priest  and  the  chief  judge  saw  the 
hardness  of  his  heart;  yea,  when  they  saw  that  he  would  re- 
vile even  against  God,  they  would  not  make  any  reply  to  his 
words ; 

37  But  they  caused  that  he  should  be  bound;  and  they  de- 
livered him  up  into  the  hands  of  the  officers,  and  sent  him 
to  the  land  of  Zarahemla,  that  he  might  be  brought  before 
Alma  and  the  chief  judge,  who  was  governor  over  all  the 
land. 

38  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  he  was  brought  before 
Alma  and  the  chief  judge,  he  did  go  on  in  the  same  manner 
as  he  did  in  the  land  of  Gideon;  yea,  he  went  on  to  blas- 
pheme. 

39  And  he  did  rise  up  in  great  swelling  words  before  Alma, 
and  did  revile  against  the  priests  and  teachers,  accusing  them 
of  leading  away  the  people  after  the  silly  traditions  of  their 
fathers,  for  the  sake  of  glutting  in  the  labors  of  the  people. 

40  Now  Alma  said  unto  him,  Thou  knowest  that  we  do  not 


CHAP.   16.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  413 

glut  ourselves  upon  the  labors  of  this  people;  for  behold,  I 
have  labored  even  from  the  commencement  of  the  reign  of 
the  Judges,  until  now,  with  mine  own  hands,  for  my  support, 
notwithstanding  my  many  travels  round  about  the  land,  to 
declare  the  word  of  God  unto  my  people. 

41  And  notwithstanding  the  many  labors  which  I  have  per- 
formed in  the  church,  I  have  never  received  so  much  as  even 
one  senine  for  my  labor;  neither  has  any  of  my  brethren, 
save  it  were  in  the  judgment  seat;  and  then  we  have  received 
only  according  to  law,  for  our  time. 

42  And  now  if  we  do  not  receive  anything  for  our  labors 
in  the  church,  what  doth  it  profit  us  to  labor  in  the  church, 
save  it  were  to  declare  the  truth,  that  we  may  have  rejoic- 
ings in  the  joy  of  our  brethren? 

43  Then  why  sayest  thou  that  we  preach  unto  this  people 
to  get  gain,  when  thou  of  thyself  knowest  that  we  receive  no 
gain? 

44  And  now,  believest  thou  that  we  deceive  this  people, 
that  causes  such  joy  in  their  hearts? 

45  And  Korihor  answered  him,  Yea. 

46  And  then  Alma  said  unto  him,  Believest  thou  that  there 
is  a  God?     And  he  answered.  Nay. 

47  Now  Alma  said  unto  him.  Will  ye  deny  again  that  there 
is  a  God,  and  also  deny  the  Christ?  for  behold,  I  say  unto 
you,  I  know  there  is  a  God,  and  also  that  Christ  shall  come. 

48  And  now,  what  evidence  have  ye  that  there  is  no  God, 
or  that  Christ  cometh  not?  I  say  unto  you  that  ye  have  none, 
save  it  be  your  word  only. 

49  But  behold,  I  have  all  things  as  a  testimony  that  these 
things  are  true;  and  ye  also  have  all  things  as  a  testimony 
unto  you  that  they  are  true;  and  will  ye  deny  them? 

50  Believest  thou  that  these  things  are  true? 

51  Behold,  I  know  that  thou  believest,  but  thou  art  pos- 
sessed with  a  lying  spirit,  and  ye  have  put  off  the  Spirit  of 
God,  that  it  may  have  no  place  in  you;  but  the  devil  has 
power  over  you,  and  he  doth  carry  you  about,  working  de- 
vices, that  he  may  destroy  the  children  of  God. 

52  And  now  Korihor  said  unto  Alma,  If  thou  wilt  shew 


414  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.   16. 

me  a  sign,  that  I  may  be  convinced  that  there  is  a  God,  yea, 
shew  unto  me  that  he  hath  power,  and  then  will  I  be  con- 
vinced of  the  truth  of  thy  words. 

53  But  Alma  said  unto  him,  Thou  hast  had  signs  enough; 
will  ye  tempt  your  God?  Will  ye  say,  Shew  unto  me  a  sign, 
when  ye  have  the  testimony  of  all  these  thy  brethren,  and 
also  all  the  holy  prophets? 

54  The  scriptures  are  laid  before  thee,  yea,  and  all  things 
denote  there  is  a  God;  yea,  even  the  earth,  and  all  things  that 
are  upon  the  face  of  it,  yea,  and  its  motion; 

55  Yea,  and  also  all  the  planets  which  move  in  their  regu- 
lar form,  doth  witness  that  there  is  a  Supreme  Creator:  and 
yet  do  ye  go  about,  leading  away  the  hearts  of  this  people, 
testifying  unto  them  there  is  no  God?  And  yet  will  ye  deny 
against  all  these  witnesses? 

56  And  he  said.  Yea,  I  will  deny,  except  ye  shall  shew  me 
a  sign. 

57  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  Alma  said  unto  him. 
Behold,  I  am  grieved  because  of  the  hardness  of  your  heart; 
yea,  that  ye  will  still  resist  the  spirit  of  the  truth,  that  thy 
soul  may  be  destroyed. 

58  But  behold,  it  is  better  that  thy  soul  should  be  lost,  than 
that  thou  shouldst  be  the  means  of  bringing  many  souls  down 
to  destruction,  by  thy  lying  and  by  thy  flattering  words; 

59  Therefore  if  thou  shalt  deny  again,  behold,  God  shall 
smite  thee,  that  thou  shalt  become  dumb,  that  thou  shalt 
never  open  thy  mouth  any  more,  that  thou  shalt  not  deceive 
this  people  any  more. 

60  Now  Korihor  said  unto  him,  I  do  not  deny  the  existence 
of  a  God,  but  I  do  not  believe  that  there  is  a  God;  and  I  say 
also,  that  ye  do  not  know  that  there  is  a  God;  and  except  ye 
shew  me  a  sign,  I  will  not  believe. 

61  Now  Alma  said  unto  him.  This  will  I  give  unto  thee  for 
a  sign,  that  thou  shalt  be  struck  dumb,  according  to  my  words; 
and  I  say,  that  in  the  name  of  God,  ye  shall  be  struck  dumb, 
that  ye  shall  no  more  have  utterance. 

62  Now  when   Alma  had  said  these  words,   Korihor  was 


CHAP.   16.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  415 

struck  dumb,  that  he  could  not  have  utterance  according  to 
the  words  of  Alma. 

63  And  now  when  the  chief  judge  saw  this,  'he  put  forth  his 
hand  and  wrote  unto  Korihor,  saying:  Art  thou  convinced  of 
the  power  of  God? 

64  In  whom  did  ye  desire  that  Alma  should  shew  forth  his 
sign?  Would  ye  that  he  should  afflict  others,  to  shew  unto 
thee  a  sign? 

65  Behold,  he  has  shewed  unto  you  a  sign;  and  now  will 
ye  dispute  more? 

66  And  Korihor  put  forth  his  hand,  and  wrote,  saying:  I 
know  that  I  am  dumb,  for  I  can  not  speak;  and  I  know  that 
nothing,  save  it  were  the  power  of  God,  could  bring  this  upon 
me;    yea,  and  I  also  knew  that  there  was  a  God. 

67  But,  behold  the  devil  hath  deceived  me;  for  he  appeared 
unto  me  in  the  form  of  an  angel,  and  said  unto  me.  Go  and 
reclaim  this  people,  for  they  have  all  gone  astray  after  an 
unknown  God. 

68  And  he  said  unto  me.  There  is  no  God;  yea,  and  he 
taught  me  that  which  I  should  say.  And  I  have  taught  his 
words;  and  I  taught  them,  because  they  were  pleasing  unto 
the  carnal  mind; 

69  And  I  taught  them,  even  until  I  had  much  success,  in- 
somuch that  I  verily  believed  that  they  were  true;  and  for 
this  cause,  I  withstood  the  truth,  even  until  I  have  brought 
this  great  curse  upon  me. 

70  Now  when  he  had  said  this,  he  besought  that  Alma 
should  pray  unto  God,  that  the  curse  might  be  taken  from 
him. 

71  But  Alma  said  unto  him.  If  this  curse  should  be  taken 
from  thee,  thou  wouldest  again  lead  away  the  hearts  of  this 
people;  therefore,  it  shall  be  unto  thee,  even  as  the  Lord  will. 

72  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  curse  was  not  taken  off 
of  Korihor;  but  he  was  cast  out,  and  went  about  from  house 
to  house,  begging  for  his  food. 

73  Now  the  knowledge  of  what  had  happened  unto  Korihor, 
was  immediately  published  throughout  all  the  land;  yea,  the 
proclamation  was  sent  forth  by  the  chief  judge,  to  all  the 


416  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.   16. 

people  in  the  land,  declaring  unto  those  who  had  believed  in 
the  words  of  Korihor,  that  they  must  speedily  repent,  lest 
the  same  judgments  would  come  unto  them.   . 

74  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  were  all  convinced  of 
the  wickedness  of  Korihor;  therefore  they  were  all  converted 
again  unto  the  Lord;  and  this  put  an  end  to  the  iniquity  after 
the  manner  of  Korihor. 

75  And  Korihor  did  go  about  from  house  to  house,  begging 
food  for  his  support. 

76  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  as  he  went  forth  among  the 
people,  yea,  among  a  people  who  had  separated  themselves 
from  the  Nephites,  and  called  themselves  Zoramites,  being  led 
by  a  man  whose  name  was  Zoram;  and  as  he  went  forth 
amongst  them,  behold,  he  was  run  upon,  and  trodden  down, 
even  until  he  was  dead; 

77  And  thus  we  see  the  end  of  him  who  perverteth  the  ways 
of  the  Lord;  and  thus  we  see  that  the  devil  will  not  support 
his  children  at  the  last  day,  but  doth  speedily  drag  them  down 
to  hell. 

78  ^Now  it  came  to  pass  that  after  the  end  of  Korihor, 
Alma  having  received  tidings  that  the  Zoramites  were  per- 
verting the  ways  of  the  Lord,  and  that  Zoram,  who  was  their 
leader,  was  leading  the  hearts  of  the  people  to  bow  down  to 
dumb  idols,  etc.,  his  heart  again  began  to  sicken,  because  of 
the  iniquity  of  the  people; 

79  For  it  was  the  cause  of  great  sorrow  to  Alma,  to  know 
of  iniquity  among  his  people:  therefore  his  heart  was  ex- 
ceeding sorrowful,  because  of  the  separation  of  the  Zoram- 
ites from  the  Nephites. 

80  Now  the  Zoramites  had  gathered  themselves  together  in 
a  land  which  they  called  Antionum,  which  was  east  of  the 
land  of  Zarahemla,  which  lay  nearly  bordering  upon  the  sea- 
shore, which  was  south  of  the  land  of  Jershon,  which  also 
bordered  upon  the  wilderness  south,  which  wilderness  was 
full  of  the  Lamanites. 

81  Now  the  Nephites  greatly  feared  that  the  Zoramites 
would  enter  into  a  correspondence  with  the  Lamanites,  and 


CHAP.   16.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  417 

that  it-  would  be  the  means  of  great  loss  on  the  part  of  the 
Nephites. 

82  And  now,  as  the  preaching  of  the  word  had  had  a 
greater  tendency  to  lead  the  people  to  do  that  which  was  just; 
yea,  it  had  had  more  powerful  effect  upon  the  minds  of  the 
people  than  the  sword,  or  anything  else,  which  had  happened 
unto  them;  therefore  Alma  thought  it  was  expedient  that 
they  should  try  the  virtue  of  the  word  of  God. 

83  Therefore  he  took  Ammon,  and  Aaron,  and  Omner;  and 
Himni  he  did  leave  in  the  church  in  Zarahemla;  but  the  for- 
mer three  he  took  with  him,  and  also  Amulek  and  Zeezrom, 
who  were  at  Melek;  and  he  also  took  two  of  his  sons. 

84  Now  the  eldest  of  his  sons  he  took  not  with  him;  and 
his  name  was  Helaman;  but  the  names  of  those  whom  he 
took  with  him,  were  Shiblon  and  Corianton;  and  these  are 
the  names  of  those  who  went  with  him  among  the  Zoramites, 
to  preach  unto  them  the  word. 

85  TJNow  the  Zoramites  were  dissenters  from  the  Nephites; 
therefore  they  had  the  word  of  God  preached  unto  them. 

86  But  they  had  fallen  into  great  errors,  for  they  would 
not  observe  to  keep  the  commandments  of  God,  and  his  stat- 
utes, according  to  the  law  of  Moses; 

87  Neither  would  they  observe  the  performances  of  the 
church,  to  continue  in  prayer  and  supplication  to  God  daily, 
that  they  might  not  enter  into  temptation;  yea,  in  fine,  they 
did  pervert  the  ways  of  the  Lord  in  very  many  instances; 
therefore,  for  this  cause,  Alma  and  his  brethren  went  into 
the  land,  to  preach  the  word  unto  them. 

88  ^Now  when  they  had  come  into  the  land,  behold,  to  their 
astonishment,  they  found  that  the  Zoramites  had  built  syna- 
gogues, and  that  they  did  gather  themselves  together  on  one 
day  of  the  week,  which  day  they  did  call  the  day  of  the  Lord; 

89  And  they  did  worship  after  a  manner  which  Alma  and 
his  brethren  had  never  beheld;  for  they  had  a  place  built  up 
in  the  center  of  their  synagogue,  a  place  for  standing,  which 
was  high  above  the  head;  and  the  top  thereof  would  only 
admit  one  person. 

90  Therefore,  whosoever  desired  to  worship,  must  go  forth 


418  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.   16. 

and  stand  upon  the  top  thereof,  and  stretch  forth  his  hands 
towards  heaven;  and  cry  with  a  loud  voice,  saying:  Holy, 
holy,  God;  we  believe  that  thou  art  God,  and  we  believe  that 
thou  art  holy,  and  that  thou  wast  a  spirit,  and  that  thou  art 
a  spirit,  and  that  thou  wilt  be  a  spirit  for  ever. 

91  Holy  God,  we  believe  that  thou  hast  separated  us  from 
our  brethren;  and  we  do  not  believe  in  the  tradition  of  our 
brethren,  which  was  handed  down  to  them  by  the  childishness 
of  their  fathers;  but  we  believe  that  thou  hast  elected  us  to 
be  thy  holy  children ; 

92  And  also  thou  hast  made  it  known  unto  us  that  there 
shall  be  no  Christ;  but  thou  art  the  same,  yesterday,  to-day, 
and  for  ever;  and  thou  hast  elected  us,  that  we  shall  be  saved, 
whilst  all  around  us  are  elected  to  be  cast  by  thy  wrath  down 
to  hell;  for  the  which  holiness,  O  God,  we  thank  thee; 

93  And  we  also  thank  thee,  that  thou  hast  elected  us,  that 
we  may  not  be  led  away  after  the  foolish  traditions  of  our 
brethren,  which  doth  bind  them  down  to  a  belief  of  Christ, 
which  doth  lead  their  hearts  to  wander  far  from  thee,  our 
God. 

94  And  again  we  thank  thee,  O  God,  that  we  are  a  chosen 
and  a  holy  people.     Amen. 

95  ^Now  it  came  to  pass  that  after  Alma  and  his  brethren, 
and  his  sons,  had  heard  these  prayers,  they  were  astonished 
beyond  all  measure. 

96  For  behold  every  man  did  go  forth  and  offer  up  the  same 
prayers. 

97  Now  the  place  was  called  by  them  Rameumptom,  which 
being  interpreted,  is  the  Holy  Stand. 

98  Now  from  this  stand,  they  did  offer  up,  every  man,  the 
selfsame  prayer  unto  God,  thanking  their  God  that  they  were 
chosen  of  him,  and  that  he  did  not  lead  them  away  after  the 
tradition  of  their  brethren;  and  that  their  hearts  were  not 
stolen  away  to  believe  in  things  to  come,  which  they  knew 
nothing  about. 

99  ^Now  after  the  people  had  all  offered  up  thanks  after 
this  manner,  they  returned  to  their  homes,  never  speaking 
of  their  God  again,  until  they  had  assembled  themselves  to- 


CHAP.  16.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  419 

gether  again,  to  the  holy  stand,  to  offer  up  thanks  after  their 
manner. 

100  Now  when  Alma  saw  this,  his  heart  was  grieved:  for 
he  saw  that  they  were  a  wicked  and  a  perverse  people;  yea, 
he  saw  that  their  hearts  were  set  upon  gold,  and  upon  silver, 
and  upon  all  manner  of  fine  goods. 

101  Yea,  and  he  also  saw  that  their  hearts  were  lifted  up 
unto  great  boasting,  in  their  pride. 

102  And  he  lifted  up  his  voice  to  heaven,  and  cried,  say- 
ing: O  how  long,  O  Lord,  wilt  thou  suffer  that  thy  servants 
shall  dwell  here  below  in  the  flesh,  to  behold  such  gross  wick- 
edness among  the  children  of  men. 

103  Behold,  O  God,  they  cry  unto  thee,  and  yet  their  hearts 
are  swallowed  up  in  their  pride. 

104  Behold,  O  God,  they  cry  unto  thee  with  their  mouths, 
while  they  are  puffed  up,  even  to  greatness,  with  the  vain 
things  of  the  world. 

105  Behold,  O  my  God,  their  costly  apparel,  and  their  ring- 
lets, and  their  bracelets,  and  their  ornaments  of  gold,  and  all 
their  precious  things  which  they  are  ornamented  with; 

106  And  behold,  their  hearts  are  set  upon  them,  and  yet 
they  cry  unto  thee  and  say.  We  thank  thee,  O  God,  for  we 
are  a  chosen  people  unto  thee,  while  others  shall  perish. 

107  Yea,  and  they  say  that  thou  hast  made  it  known  unto 
them,  that  there  shall  be  no  Christ. 

108  0  Lord  God,  how  long  wilt  thou  suffer  that  such  wick- 
edness and  iniquity  shall  be  among  this  people? 

109  O  Lord,  wilt  thou  give  me  strength,  that  I  may  bear 
with  mine  infirmities?  For  I  am  infirm,  and  such  wickedness 
among  this  people  doth  pain  my  soul. 

110  0  Lord,  my  heart  is  exceeding  sorrowful;  wilt  thou 
comfort  my   soul   in   Christ? 

111  O  Lord,  wilt  thou  grant  unto  me  that  I  may  have 
strength,  that  I  may  suffer  with  patience  these  afflictions 
which  shall  come  upon  me,  because  of  the  iniquity  of  this 
people? 

112  O  Lord,  wilt  thou  comfort  my  soul,  and  give  unto  me 
success,  and  also  my  fellow  laborers  who  are  with  me;  yea, 


420  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.   16. 

Ammon,  and  Aaron,  and  Omner,  and  also  Amulek,  and  Zeez- 
rom,  and  also  my  two  sons;  yea,  even  all  these  wilt  thou 
comfort,  O  Lord?  Yea,  wilt  thou  comfort  their  souls  in 
Christ? 

113  Wilt  thou  grant  unto  them  that  they  may  have  strength, 
that  they  may  bear  their  afflictions  which  shall  come  upon 
them,  because  of  the  iniquities  of  this  people? 

114  O  Lord,  wilt  thou  grant  unto  us  that  we  may  have  suc- 
cess in  bringing  them  again  unto  thee,  in  Christ? 

115  Behold,  O  Lord,  their  souls  are  precious,  and  many  of 
them  are  our  near  brethren,  therefore,  give  unto  us,  O  Lord, 
power  and  wisdom,  that  we  may  bring  these,  our  brethren, 
again  unto  thee. 

116  ^Now  it  came  to  pass,  that  when  Alma  had  said  these 
words,  that  he  clapped  his  hands  upon  all  them  who  were  with 
him. 

117  And  behold,  as  he  clapped  his  hands  upon  them,  they 
were  filled  with  the  Holy  Spirit. 

118  And  after  that,  they  did  separate  themselves  one  from 
another;  taking  no  thought  for  themselves  what  they  should 
eat,  or  what  they  should  drink,  or  what  they  should  put  on. 

119  And  the  Lord  provided  for  them  that  they  should  hun- 
ger not,  neither  should  they  thirst;  yea,  and  he  also  gave  them 
strength,  that  they  should  suffer  no  manner  of  afflictions,  save 
it  were  swallowed  up  in  the  joy  of  Christ. 

120  Now  this  was  according  to  the  prayer  of  Alma;  and 
this  because  he  prayed  in  faith. 

121  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  go  forth,  and  began 
to  preach  the  word  of  God  unto  the  people,  entering  into  their 
synagogues,  and  into  their  houses;  yea,  and  even  they  did 
preach  the  word  in  their  streets. 

122  And  it  came  to  pass  that  after  much  labor  among 
them,  they  began  to  have  success  among  the  poor  class  of  peo- 
ple; for  behold,  they  were  cast  out  of  the  synagogues,  be- 
cause of  the  coarseness  of  their  apparel; 

123  Therefore  they  were  not  permitted  to  enter  into  their 
synagogues  to  worship  God,  being  esteemed  as  filthiness; 
therefor*^  they  were  poor;  yea,  they  were  esteemed  by  their 


CHAP.   16.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  42i 

brethren  as  dross;  therefore  they  were  poor  as  to  things  of 
the  world;  and  also  they  were  poor  in  heart. 

124  IJNow  as  Alma  was  teaching  and  speaking  unto  the 
people  upon  the  hill  Onidah,  there  came  a  great  multitude 
unto  him,  who  were  those  of  whom  we  have  been  speaking  of, 
who  were  poor  in  heart,  because  of  their  poverty  as  to  the 
things  of  the  world. 

125  And  they  came  unto  Alma;  and  the  one  who  was  the 
most  foremost  among  them,  said  unto  him.  Behold,  what  shall 
these  my  brethren  do,  for  they  are  despised  of  all  men,  be- 
cause of  their  poverty;  yea,  and  more  especially  by  our 
priests; 

126  For  they  have  cast  us  out  of  our  synagogues,  which  we 
have  labored  abundantly  to  build,  with  our  own  hands;  and 
they  have  cast  us  out  because  of  our  exceeding  poverty,  and 
we  have  no  place  to  worship  our  God;  and  behold,  what  shall 
we  do? 

127  And  now  when  Alma  heard  this,  he  turned  him  about, 
his  face  immediately  towards  him,  and  he  beheld,  with  great 
joy;  for  he  beheld  that  their  afflictions  had  truly  humbled 
them,  and  that  they  were  in  a  preparation  to  hear  the  word; 

128  Therefore  he  did  say  no  more  to  the  other  multitude, 
but  he  stretched  forth  his  hand,  and  cried  unto  those  whom 
he  beheld,  who  were  truly  penitent,  and  said  unto  them,  I 
behold  that  ye  are  lowly  in  heart;    and  if  so,  blessed  are  ye. 

129  Behold  thy  brother  hath  said.  What  shall  we  do?  for 
we  are  cast  out  of  our  synagogues,  that  we  can  not  worship 
our  God. 

130  Behold,  I  say  unto  you.  Do  ye  suppose  that  ye  can  not 
worship  God,  save  it  be  in  your  synagogues  only? 

131  And  moreover,  I  would  ask.  Do  ye  suppose  that  ye  must 
not  worship  God  only  once  in  a  week? 

132  I  say  unto  you.  It  is  well  that  ye  are  cast  out  of  your 
synagogues,  that  ye  may  be  humble,  and  that  ye  may  learn 
wisdom;  for  it  is  necessary  that  ye  should  learn  wisdom; 

133  For  it  is  because  that  ye  are  cast  out,  that  ye  are 
despised  of  your  brethren,  because  of  your  exceeding  poverty, 


422  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  16. 

that  ye  are  brought  to  a  lowliness  of  heart;  for  ye  are  neces- 
sarily brought  to  be  humble. 

134  And  now  because  ye  are  compelled  to  be  humble,  blessed 
are  ye;  for  a  man  sometimes,  if  he  is  compelled  to  be  humble, 
seeketh  repentance; 

135  And  now  surely,  whosoever  repenteth  shall  find  mercy; 
and  he  that  findeth  mercy  and  endureth  to  the  end,  the  same 
shall  be  saved. 

136  And  now  as  I  said  unto  you,  that  because  ye  were  com- 
pelled to  be  humble,  ye  were  blessed,  do  ye  not  suppose  that 
they  are  more  blessed  who  truly  humble  themselves  because 
of  the  word? 

137  Yea,  he  that  truly  humbleth  himself  and  repenteth  of 
his  sins,  and  endureth  to  the  end,  the  same  shall  be  blessed; 
yea,  much  more  blessed  than  they  who  are  compelled  to  be 
humble,  because  of  their  exceeding  poverty;  therefore  blessed 
are  they  who  humble  themselves  without  being  compelled  to 
be  humble; 

138  Or  rather,  in  other  words,  Blessed  is  he  that  believeth 
in  the  word  of  God,  and  is  baptized  without  stubbornness  of 
heart;  yea,  without  being  brought  to  know  the  word,  or  even 
compelled  to  know,  before  they  will  believe. 

139  Yea,  there  are  many  who  do  say.  If  thou  wilt  shew 
unto  us  a  sign  from  heaven,  then  we  shall  know  of  a  surety; 
then  we  shall  believe. 

140  Now  I  ask.  Is  this  faith?  Behold,  I  say  unto  you.  Nay; 
for  if  a  man  knoweth  a  thing,  he  hath  no  cause  to  believe,  for 
he  knoweth  it. 

141  And  now  how  much  more  cursed  is  he  that  knoweth 
the  will  of  God  and  doeth  it  not,  than  he  that  only  believeth, 
o^  only  hath  cause  to  believe,  and  falleth  into  transgression? 
Now  of  this  thing,  ye  must  judge. 

142  Behold,  I  say  unto  you,  that  it  is  on  the  one  hand,  even 
as  it  is  on  the  other;  and  it  shall  be  unto  every  man  accord- 
ing to  his  work. 

143  TJAnd  now  as  I  said  concerning  faith:  Faith,  is  not  to 
have  a  perfect  knowledge  of  things ;  therefore  if  ye  have  faith, 
ye  hope  for  things  which  are  not  seen,  which  are  true. 


CHAP.   16.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  423 

144  And  now,  behold,  I  say  unto  you;  and  I  would  that  ye 
should  remember  that  God  is  merciful  unto  all  who  believe  on 
his  name:  therefore  he  desireth,  in  the  first  place,  that  ye 
should  believe,  yea,  even  on  his  word. 

145  And  now,  he  imparteth  his  word  by  angels,  unto  men; 
yea,  not  only  men,  but  women  also. 

146  Now  this  is  not  all :  little  children  do  have  words  given 
unto  them  many  times,  which  confound  the  wise  and  the 
learned. 

147  ^And  now,  my  beloved  brethren,  as  ye  have  desired  to 
know  of  me  what  ye  shall  do  because  ye  are  afflicted  and  cast 
out:  now  I  do  not  desire  that  ye  should  suppose  that  I  mean 
to  judge  you  only  according  to  that  which  is  true; 

148  For  I  do  not  mean  that  ye  all  of  you  have  been  com- 
pelled to  humble  yourselves;  for  I  verily  believe  that  there 
are  some  among  you  who  would  humble  themselves,  let  them 
be  in  whatsoever  circumstances  they  might. 

149  Now  as  I  said  concerning  faith — that  it  was  not  a 
perfect  knowledge,  even  so  it  is  with  my  words. 

150  Ye  can  not  know  of  their  surety  at  first,  unto  perfec- 
tion, any  more  than  faith  is  a  perfect  knowledge. 

151  But  behold,  if  ye  will  awake  and  arouse  your  faculties, 
even  to  an  experiment  upon  my  words,  and  exercise  a  particle 
of  faith;  yea,  even  if  ye  can  no  more  than  desire  to  believe, 
let  this  desire  work  in  you,  even  until  ye  believe  in  a  manner 
that  ye  can  give  place  for  a  portion  of  my  words. 

152  Now  we  will  compare  the  word  unto  a  seed. 

153  Now  if  ye  give  place,  that  a  seed  may  be  planted  in 
your  heart,  behold,  if  it  be  a  true  seed,  or  a  good  seed,  if  ye 
do  not  cast  it  out  by  your  unbelief,  that  ye  will  resist  the 
Spirit  of  the  Lord,  behold,  it  will  begin  to  swell  within  your 
breasts; 

154  And  when  you  feel  these  swelling  motions,  ye  will  be- 
gin to  say  within  yourselves.  It  must  needs  be  that  this  is  a 
good  seed,  or  that  the  word  is  good,  for  it  beginneth  to  en- 
large my  soul;  yea, 'it  beginneth  to  enlighten  my  understand- 
ing;   yea,  and  it  beginneth  to  be  delicious  to  me. 

155  Now  behold,  would  not  this   increase  your   faith?     I 


424  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.   16. 

say  unto  you,  Yea;  nevertheless  it  hath  not  grown  up  to  a 
perfect  knowledge. 

156  But  behold,  as  the  seed  swelleth,  and  sprouteth,  and 
beginneth  to  grow,  then  ye  must  needs  say,  that  the  seed  is 
good;  for  behold  it  swelleth,  and  sprouteth,  and  beginneth  to 
grow. 

157  And  now  behold,  will  not  this  strengthen  your  faith? 
Yea,  it  will  strengthen  your  faith,  for  ye  will  say,  I  know  thst 
this  is  a  good  seed,  for  behold,  it  sprouteth  and  beginneth  to 
grow. 

158  And  now  behold,  are  ye  sure  that  this  is  a  good  seed? 
I  say  unto  you,  Yea;  for  every  seed  bringeth  forth  unto  its 
own  likeness;  therefore,  if  a  seed  groweth,  it  is  good,  but  if 
it  groweth  not,  behold,  it  is  not  good;  therefore  it  is  cast  away. 

159  And  now,  behold,  because  ye  have  tried  the  experiment, 
and  planted  the  seed,  and  it  swelleth,  and  sprouteth,  and  be- 
ginneth to  grow,  ye  must  needs  know  that  the  seed  is  good. 

160  And  now  behold,  is  your  knowledge  perfect?  Yea, 
your  knowledge  is  perfect  in  that  thing,  and  your  faith  is 
dormant; 

161  And  this  because  you  know;  for  ye  know  that  the  word 
hath  swelled  your  souls,  and  ye  also  know  that  it  hath 
sprouted  up,  that  your  understanding  doth  begin  to  be  en- 
lightened, and  your  mind  doth  begin  to  expand. 

162  O  then,  is  not  this  real?  I  say  unto  you.  Yea;  because 
it  is  light;  and  whatsoever  is  light,  is  good,  because  it  is  dis- 
cernible; therefore  ye  must  know  that  it  is  good. 

163  And  now  behold,  after  ye  have  tasted  this  light,  is  your 
knowledge  perfect?  Behold,  I  say  unto  you.  Nay;  neither 
must  ye  lay  aside  your  faith,  for  ye  have  only  exercised  your 
faith  to  plant  the  seed,  that  ye  might  try  the  experiment,  to 
know  if  the  seed  was  good. 

164  And  behold,  as  the  tree  beginneth  to  grow,  ye  will  say, 
Let  us  nourish  it  with  great  care,  that  it  may  get  root,  that  it 
may  grow  up  and  bring  forth  fruit  unto, us. 

165  And  now  behold,  if  ye  nourish  it  with  much  care,  it 
will  get  root,  and  grow  up,  and  bring  forth  fruit. 

166  But  if  ye  neglect  the  tree,  and  take  no  thought  for  its 


CHAP.   16.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  425 

nourishment,  behold,  it  will  not  get  any  root;  and  when  the 
heat  of  the  sun  cometh  and  scorcheth  it,  because  it  hath  no 
root,  it  withers  away,  and  ye  pluck  it  up  and  cast  it  out. 

167  Now  this  is  not  because  the  seed  was  not  good,  neither 
is  it  because  the  fruit  thereof  would  not  be  desirable. 

168  But  it  is  because  your  ground  is  barren,  and  ye  will  not 
nourish  the  tree;  therefore  ye  can  not  have  the  fruit  thereof. 

169  And  thus  it  is  if  ye  will  not  nourish  the  word,  looking 
forward  with  an  eye  of  faith  to  the  fruit  thereof,  ye  can  never 
pluck  of  the  fruit  of  the  tree  of  life. 

170  But  if  ye  will  nourish  the  word,  yea,  nourish  the  tree 
as  it  beginneth  to  grow,  by  your  faith  with  great  diligence, 
and  with  patience,  looking  forward  to  the  fruit  thereof,  it 
shall  take  root;  and  behold,  it  shall  be  a  tree  springing  up 
unto  everlasting  life; 

171  And  because  of  your  diligence,  and  your  faith,  and 
your  patience  with  the  word,  in  nourishing  it,  that  it  may 
take  root  in  you,  behold,  by  and  by,  ye  shall  pluck  the  fruit 
thereof,  which  is  most  precious,  which  is  sweet  above  all  that 
is  sweet,  and  which  is  white  above  all  that  is  white;  yea,  and 
pure  above  all  that  is  pure; 

172  And  ye  shall  feast  upon  this  fruit,  even  until  ye  are 
filled,  that  ye  hunger  not,  neither  shall  ye  thirst. 

173  Then  my  brethren  ye  shall  reap  the  rewards  of  your 
faith,  and  your  diligence,  and  patience,  and  long  suffering, 
waiting  for  the  tree  to  bring  forth  fruit  unto  you. 

174  TJNow  after  Alma  had  spoken  these  words,  they  sent 
forth  unto  him  desiring  to  know  whether  they  should  believe 
in  one  God,  that  they  might  obtain  this  fruit  of  which  he  had 
spoken,  or  how  they  should  plant  the  seed,  or  the  word,  of 
which  he  had  spoken,  which  he  said  must  be  planted  in  their 
hearts;  or  in  what  manner  they  should  begin  to  exercise  their 
faith? 

175  And  Alma  said  unto  them,  Behold,  ye  have  said  that 
ye  could  not  worship  your  God,  because  ye  are  cast  out  of 
your  synagogues. 

176  But  behold,  I  say  unto  you.  If  ye  suppose  that  ye  can 
not  worship  God,  ye  do  greatly  err,  and  ye  ought  to  search 


426  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.   16. 

the  scriptures;  if  ye  suppose  that  they  have  taught  you  this, 
ye  do  not  understand  them. 

177  Do  ye  remember  to  have  read  what  Zenos,  the  prophet 
of  old,  has  said  concerning  prayer  or  worship? 

178  For  he  said,  Thou  art  merciful  O  God,  for  thou  hast 
heard  my  prayer,  even  when  I  was  in  the  wilderness:  yea, 
thou  wast  merciful  when  I  prayed  concerning  those  who  were 
mine  enemies,  and  thou  didst  turn  them  to  me: 

179  Yea,  O  God,  and  thou  wast  merciful  unto  me  when  I 
did  cry  unto  thee  in  my  field;  when  I  did  cry  unto  thee  in 
my  prayer,  and  thou  didst  hear  me. 

180  And  again,  O  God,  when  I  did  turn  to  my  house  thou 
didst  hear  me  in  my  prayer. 

181  And  when  I  did  turn  unto  my  closet,  O  Lord,  and 
prayed  unto  thee,  thou  didst  hear  me;  yea,  thou  art  merciful 
unto  thy  children  when  they  cry  unto  thee  to  be  heard  of 
thee,  and  not  of  men,  and  thou  wilt  hear  them; 

182  Yea,  O  God,  thou  hast  been  merciful  unto  me  and  heard 
my  cries  in  the  midst  of  thy  congregations;  yea,  and  thou 
hast  also  heard  me  when  I  have  been  cast  out,  and  have  been 
despised  by  mine  enemies; 

183  Yea,  thou  didst  hear  my  cries,  and  wast  angry  with 
mine  enemies,  and  thou  didst  visit  them  in  thine  anger,  with 
speedy  destruction;  and  thou  didst  hear  me  because  of  mine 
afflictions  and  my  sincerity; 

184  And  it  is  because  of  thy  Son  that  thou  hast  been  thus 
merciful  unto  me;  therefore  I  will  cry  unto  thee  in  all  mine 
afflictions;  for  in  thee  is  my  joy;  for  thou  hast  turned  thy 
judgments  away  from  me,  because  of  thy  Son. 

185  TJAnd  now  Alma  said  unto  them,  Do  ye  believe  those 
scriptures  which  have  been  written  by  them  of  old? 

186  Behold,  if  ye  do,  ye  must  believe  what  Zenos  said;  for 
behold,  he  said.  Thou  hast  turned  away  thy  judgments,  be- 
cause of  thy  Son. 

187  Now,  behold,  my  brethren,  I  would  ask,  if  ye  have  read 
the  scriptures?  If  ye  have,  how  can  ye  disbelieve  on  the  Son 
of  God? 

188  For  it  is  not  written  that  Zenos  alone  spake  of  these 


CHAP.   16.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  427 

things,  but  Zenock  also  spake  of  these  things;  for  behold,  he 
said,  Thou  art  angry,  O  Lord,  with  this  people,  because  they 
will  not  understand  of  thy  mercies  which  thou  hast  bestowed 
upon  them,  because  of  thy  Son. 

189  And  now  my  brethren,  ye  see  that  a  second  prophet  of 
old  has  testified  of  the  Son  of  God;  and  because  the  people 
would  not  understand  his  words,  they  stoned  him  to  death. 

190  But  behold,  this  is  not  all;  these  are  not  the  only  ones 
who  have  spoken  concerning  the  Son  of  God. 

191  Behold,  he  was  spoken  of  by  Moses;  yea,  and  behold, 
a  type  was  raised  up  in  the  wilderness,  that  whosoever  would 
look  upon  it  might  live.     And  many  did  look  and  live. 

192  But  few  understood  the  meaning  of  those  things,  and 
this  because  of  the  hardness  of  their  hearts. 

193  But  there  were  many  who  were  so  hardened  that  they 
would  not  look;  therefore  they  perished. 

194  Now  the  reason  they  would  not  look,  was  because  they 
did  not  believe  that  it  would  heal  them. 

195  0  m.y  brethren,  if  ye  could  be  healed  by  merely  casting 
about  your  eyes,  that  ye  might  be  healed,  would  ye  not  behold 
quickly,  or  would  ye  rather  harden  your  hearts  in  unbelief, 
and  be  slothful,  that  ye  would  not  cast  about  your  eyes,  that 
ye  might  perish? 

196  If  so,  wo  shall  come  upon  you;  but  if  not  so,  then  cast 
about  your  eyes  and  begin  to  believe  in  the  Son  of  God,  that 
he  will  come  to  redeem  his  people,  and  that  he  shall  sufi'er 
and  die  to  atone  for  their  sins; 

197  And  that  he  shall  rise  again  from  the  dead,  which  shall 
bring  to  pass  the  resurrection,  that  all  men  shall  stand  before 
him,  to  be  judged,  at  the  last  and  judgment  day,  according  to 
their  works. 

198  And  now  my  brethren,  I  desire  that  ye  shall  plant  this 
word  in  your  hearts,  and  as  it  beginneth  to  swell,  even  so 
nourish  it  by  your  faith. 

199  And  behold,  it  will  become  a  tree,  springing  up  in  you 
unto  everlasting  life. 

200  And  then  may  God  grant  unto  you  that  your  burdens 


428  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.   16. 

may  be  light,  through  the  joy  of  his  Son.     And  even  all  this 
can  ye  do,  if  ye  will.     Amen. 

201  IJAnd  now  it  came  to  pass  that  after  Alma  had  spoken 
these  words  unto  them,  he  sat  down  upon  the  ground,  and 
Amulek  arose  and  began  to  teach  them,  saying,  My  brethren, 
I  think  that  it  is  impossible  that  ye  should  be  ignorant  of  the 
things  which  have  been  spoken  concerning  the  coming  of 
Christ,  who  is  taught  by  us  to  be  the  Son  of  God; 

202  Yea,  I  know  that  these  things  were  taught  unto  you, 
bountifully,  before  your  dissension  from  among  us,  and  as  ye 
have  desired  of  my  beloved  brother,  that  he  should  make 
known  unto  you  what  ye  should  do,  because  of  your  afflictions ; 
and  he  hath  spoken  somewhat  unto  you  to  prepare  your 
minds;  yea,  and  he  hath  exhorted  you  unto  faith,  and  to 
patience; 

203  Yea,  even  that  ye  would  have  so  much  faith  as  even  to 
plant  the  word  in  your  hearts,  that  ye  may  try  the  experiment 
of  its  goodness;  and  we  have  beheld  that  the  great  question 
which  is  in  your  minds,  is  whether  the  word  be  in  the  Son 
of  God,  or  whether  there  shall  be  no  Christ. 

204  And  ye  also  beheld  that  my  brother  has  proven  unto 
you,  in  many  instances,  that  the  word  is  in  Christ,  unto  sal- 
vation. 

205  My  brother  has  called  upon  the  words  of  Zenos,  that 
redemption  cometh  through  the  Son  of  God,  and  also  upon 
the  words  of  Zenock:  and  also  he  has  appealed  unto  Moses, 
to  prove  that  these  things  are  true. 

206  And  now  behold,  I  will  testify  unto  you  of  myself,  that 
these  things  are  true. 

207  Behold,  I  say  unto  you,  that  I  do  know  that  Christ  shall 
come  among  the  children  of  men,  to  take  upon  him  the  trans- 
gressions of  his  people,  and  that  he  shall  atone  for  the  sins 
of  the  world;  for  the  Lord  God  has  spoken  it; 

208  For  it  is  expedient  that  an  atonement  should  be  made; 
for  according  to  the  great  plan  of  the  eternal  God,  there  must 
be  an  atonement  made,  or  else  all  mankind  must  unavoidably 
perish ; 

209  Yea,  all  are  hardened;  yea,  all  are  fallen,  and  are  lost, 


CHAP.   16.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  429 

and  must  perish  except  it  be  through  the  atonement  which  it 
is  expedient  should  be  made; 

210  For  it  is  expedient  that  there  should  be  a  great  and 
last  sacrifice;  yea,  not  a  sacrifice  of  man,  neither  of  beast, 
neither  of  any  manner  of  fowl;  for  it  shall  not  be  a  human 
sacrifice:    but  it  must  be  an  infinite  and  eternal  sacrifice. 

211  Now  there  is  not  any  man  that  can  sacrifice  his  own 
blood,  which  will  atone  for  the  sins  of  another. 

212  Now  if  a  man  murdereth,  behold,  will  our  law,  which 
is  just,  take  the  life  of  his  brother?    I  say  unto  you,  Nay. 

213  But.  the  law  requireth  the  life  of  him  who  hath  mur- 
dered; therefore  there  can  be  nothing,  which  is  short  of  an 
infinite  atonement,  which  will  sufl^ce  for  the  sins  of  the  world; 
therefore  it  is  expedient  that  there  should  be  a  great  and  last 
sacrifice; 

214  And  then  shall  there  be,  or  it  is  expedient  there  should 
be,  a  stop  to  the  shedding  of  blood;  then  shall  the  law  of 
Moses  be  fulfilled;  yea,  it  shall  all  be  fulfilled;  every  jot  and 
tittle,  and  none  shall  have  passed  away. 

215  And  behold,  this  is  the  whole  meaning  of  the  law; 
every  whit  pointing  to  that  great  and  last  sacrifice;  and  that 
great  and  last  sacrifice  will  be  the  Son  of  God;  yea,  infinite 
and  eternal;  and  thus  he  shall  bring  salvation  to  all  those 
who  shall  believe  on  his  name; 

216  This  being  the  intent  of  this  last  sacrifice,  to  bring 
about  the  bowels  of  mercy,  which  overpowereth  justice  and 
bringeth  about  means  unto  men  that  they  may  have  faith  unto 
repentance. 

217  And  thus  mercy  can  satisfy  the  demands  of  justice, 
and  encircles  them  in  the  arms  of  safety,  while  he  that  exer- 
cises no  faith  unto  repentance,  is  exposed  to  the  whole  law  of 
the  demands  of  justice;  therefore,  only  unto  him  that  has 
faith  unto  repentance,  is  brought  about  the  great  and  eternal 
plan  of  redemption. 

218  Therefore  may  God  grant  unto  you,  my  brethren,  that 
ye  may  begin  to  exercise  your  faith  unto  repentance,  that  ye 
begin  to  call  upon  his  holy  name,  that  he  would  have  mercy 


430  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.   16. 

upon  you;  yea,  cry  unto  him  for  mercy;  for  he  is  mighty  to 
save; 

219  Yea,  humble  yourselves,  and  continue  in  prayer  unto 
him;  cry  unto  him  when  ye  are  in  your  fields;  yea,  over  all 
your  flocks;  cry  unto  him  in  your  houses,  yea,  over  all  your 
household,  both  morning,  mid-day,  and  evening;  yea,  cry  unto 
him  against  the  power  of  your  enemies;  yea,  cry  unto  him 
against  the  devil,  who  is  an  enemy  to  all  righteousness. 

220  Cry  unto  him  over  the  crops  of  your  fields,  that  ye 
may  prosper  in  them:  cry  over  the  flocks  of  your  fields,  that 
they  may  increase. 

221  But  this  is  not  all:  ye  must  pour  out  your  souls  in 
your  closets,  and  your  secret  places,  and  in  your  wilderness; 

222  Yea,  and  when  you  do  not  cry  unto  the  Lord,  let  your 
hearts  be  full,  drawn  out  in  prayer  unto  him  continually  for 
your  welfare,  and  also  for  the  welfare  of  those  who  are 
around  you. 

223  ^And  now  behold,  my  brethren,  I  say  unto  you.  Do  not 
suppose  that  this  is  all;  for  after  ye  have  done  all  these 
things,  if  ye  turn  away  the  needy,  and  the  naked,  and  visit 
not  the  sick  and  afflicted,  and  impart  of  your  substance  if  ye 
have,  to  those  who  stand  in  need; 

224  I  say  unto  you.  If  ye  do  not  any  of  these  things,  behold, 
your  prayer  is  vain,  and  availeth  you  nothing,  and  ye  are  as 
hypocrites  who  do  deny  the  faith; 

225  Therefore  if  ye  do  not  remember  to  be  charitable,  ye 
are  as  dross,  which  the  refiners  do  cast  out,  (it  being  of  no 
worth,)   and  is  trodden  under  foot  of  men. 

226  ^And  now,  my  brethren,  I  would  that  after  ye  have 
received  so  many  witnesses,  seeing  that  the  holy  scriptures 
testify  of  these  things,  come  forth  and  bring  fruit  unto  re- 
pentance; 

227  Yea,  I  would  that  ye  would  come  forth  and  harden  not 
your  hearts  any  longer;  for  behold,  now  is  the  time,  and  the 
day  of  your  salvation;  and  therefore,  if  ye  will  repent  and 
harden  not  your  hearts,  immediately  shall  the  gi;^at  plan  of 
redemption  be  brought  about  unto  you. 

228  For  behold,  this  life  is  the  time  for  men  to  prepare  to 


CHAP.   16.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  431 

meet  God:  yea,  behold,  the  day  of  this  life  is  the  day  for  men 
to  perform  their  labors. 

229  And  now  as  I  said  unto  you  before,  as  ye  have  had  so 
many  witnesses,  therefore  I  beseech  of  you,  that  ye  do  not 
procrastinate  the  day  of  your  repentance  until  the  end; 

230  For  after  this  day  of  life,  which  is  given  us  to  prepare 
for  eternity,  behold,  if  we  do  not  improve  our  time  while  in 
this  life,  then  cometh  the  night  of  darkness,  wherein  there  can 
be  no  labor  performed. 

231  Ye  can  not  say,  when  ye  are  brought  to  that  awful 
crisis,  that  I  will  repent,  that  I  will  return  to  my  God. 

232  Nay,  ye  can  not  say  this;  for  that  same  spirit  which 
doth  possess  your  bodies  at  the  time  that  ye  go  out  of  this 
life,  that  same  spirit  will  have  power  to  possess  your  body 
in  that  eternal  world. 

233  For  behold,  if  ye  have  procrastinated  the  day  of  your 
repentance,  even  until  death,  behold,  ye  have  become  sub- 
jected to  the  spirit  of  the  devil,  and  he  doth  seal  you  his; 

234  Therefore  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  hath  withdrawn  from 
you,  and  hath  no  place  in  you,  and  the  devil  hath  all  power 
over  you;  and  this  is  the  final  state  of  the  wicked. 

235  And  this  I  know,  because  the  Lord  has  said,  he  dwell- 
eth  not  in  unholy  temples,  but  in  the  hearts  of  the  righteous 
doth  he  dwell; 

236  Yea,  and  he  has  also  said,  that  the  righteous  shall  sit 
down  in  his  kingdom,  to  go  no  more  out;  but  their  garments 
should  be  made  white,  through  the  blood  of  the  Lamb. 

237  TJAnd  now  my  beloved  brethren,  I  desire  that  ye  should 
remember  these  things,  and  that  ye  should  work  out  your 
salvation  with  fear  before  God,  and  that  ye  should  no  more 
deny  the  coming  of  Christ;  that  ye  contend  no  more  against 
the  Holy  Ghost,  but  that  ye  receive  it,  and  take  upon  you  the 
name  of  Christ;  that  ye  humble  yourselves  even  to  the  dust, 
and  worship  God  in  whatsoever  place  ye  may  be  in,  in  spirit 
and  in  truth; 

238  And  that  ye  live  in  thanksgiving  daily,  for  the  many 
mercies  and  blessings  which  he  doth  bestow  upon  you;  yea, 
and  I  also  exhort  you  my  brethren,  that  ye  be  watchful  unto 


432  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.   16. 

prayer  continually,  that  ye  may  not  be  led  away  by  the  temp- 
tation of  the  devil,  that  he  may  not  overpower  you,  that  ye 
may  not  become  his  subjects  at  the  last  day:  for  behold,  he 
rewardeth  you  no  good  thing. 

239  And  now  my  beloved  brethren,  I  would  exhort  you  to 
have  patience,  and  that  ye  bear  with  all  manner  of  afflictions ; 
that  ye  do  not  revile  against  those  who  do  cast  you  out  be- 
cause of  your  exceeding  poverty,  lest  ye  become  sinners  like 
unto  them;  but  that  ye  have  patience,  and  bear  with  those 
afflictions,  with  a  firm  hope  that  ye  shall  one  day  rest  from 
all  your  afflictions. 

240  ^Now  it  came  to  pass  that  after  Amulek  had  made  an 
end  of  these  words,  they  withdrew  themselves  from  the  mul- 
titude, and  came  over  into  the  land  of  Jershon; 

241  Yea,  and  the  rest  of  the  brethren,  after  they  had 
preached  the  word  unto  the  Zoramites,  also  came  over  into 
the  land  of  Jershon. 

242  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  after  the  more  popular  part 
of  the  Zoramites  had  consulted  together  concerning  the  words 
which  had  been  preached  unto  them,  they  were  angry  be- 
cause of  the  word,  for  it  did  destroy  their  craft;  therefore 
they  would  not  hearken  unto  the  words. 

243  And  they  sent  and  gathered  together  throughout  all 
the  land,  all  the  people,  and  consulted  with  them  concerning 
the  words  which  had  been  spoken. 

244  Now  their  rulers,  and  their  priests,  and  their  teachers, 
did  not  let  the  people  know  concerning  their  desires;  there- 
fore they  found  out  privily  the  minds  of  all  the  people. 

245  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  after  they  had  found  out  the 
minds  of  all  the  people,  those  who  were  in  favor  of  the  words 
which  had  been  spoken  by  Alma  and  his  brethren,  were  cast 
out  of  the  land;  and  they  were  many,  and  they  came  over  also 
into  the  land  of  Jershon. 

246  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Alma  and  his  brethren  did 
minister  unto  them. 

247  Now  the  people  of  the  Zoramites  were  angry  with  the 
people  of  Ammon  who  were  in  Jershon,  and  the  chief  ruler 
of  the  Zoramites  being  a  very  wicked  man,  sent  over  unto  the 


CHAP.   16.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  433 

people  of  Ammon  desiring  them  that  they  should  cast  out  of 
their  land  all  those  who  came  over  from  them  into  their  land. 

248  And  he  breathed  out  many  threatenings  against  them. 

249  And  now  the  people  of  Ammon  did  not  fear  their 
words,  therefore  they  did  not  cast  them  out,  but  they  did  re- 
ceive all  the  poor  of  the  Zoramites  that  came  over  unto  them; 

250  And  they  did  nourish  them,  and  did  clothe  them,  and 
did  give  unto  them  lands  for  their  inheritance;  and  they  did 
administer  unto  them  according  to  their  wants. 

251  Now  this  did  stir  up  the  Zoramites  to  anger  against 
the  people  of  Ammon,  and  they  began  to  mix  with  the  La- 
manites,  and  to  stir  them  up  also  to  anger  against  them; 

252  And  thus  the  Zoramites  and  the  Lamanites  began  to 
make  preparations  for  war  against  the  people  of  Ammon,  and 
also  against  the  Nephites. 

253  And  thus  ended  the  seventeenth  year  of  the  reign  of 
the  Judges,  over  the  people  of  Nephi. 

254  ^And  the  people  of  Ammon  departed  out  of  the  land  of 
Jershon,  and  came  over  into  the  land  of  Melek,  and  gave  place 
in  the  land  of  Jershon  for  the  armies  of  the  Nephites,  that 
they  might  contend  with  the  armies  of  the  Lamanites,  and  the 
armies  of  the  Zoramites; 

255  And  thus  commenced  a  war  betwixt  the  Lamanites  and 
the  Nephites,  in  the  eighteenth  year  of  the  reign  of  the 
Judges ;  and  an  account  shall  be  given  of  their  wars  hereafter. 

256  And  Alma,  and  Ammon,  and  their  brethren,  and  also 
the  two  sons  of  Alma,  returned  to  the  land  of  Zarahemla, 
after  having  been  instruments  in  the  hands  of  God  of  bring- 
ing many  of  the  Zoramites  to  repentance;  and  as  many  as 
were  brought  to  repentance,  were  driven  out  of  their  land; 

257  But  they  have  lands  for  their  inheritance  in  the  land 
of  Jershon,  and  they  have  taken  up  arms  to  defend  them- 
selves, and  their  wives,  and  children,  and  their  lands. 

258  Now  Alma,  being  grieved  for  the  iniquity  of  his  people, 
yea  for  the  wars,  and  the  bloodsheds,  and  the  contentions 
which  were  among  them ;  and  having  been  to  declare  the  word, 
or  sent  to  declare  the  word,  among  all  the  people  4n  every 
city; 


434  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.   17. 

259  And  seeing  that  the  hearts  of  the  people  began  to  wax 
hard,  and  that  they  began  to  be  offended  because  of  the 
strictness  of  the  word,  his  heart  was   exceeding  sorrowful; 

260  Therefore,  he  caused  that  his  sons  should  be  gathered 
together  that  he  might  give  unto  them  every  one  his  charge, 
separately,  concerning  the  things  pertaining  unto  righteous- 
ness. 

261  And  we  have  an  account  of  his  commandments,  which 
he  gave  unto  them  according  to  his  own  record. 


CHAPTER  17. 

The  com7nandments  of  Alma,  to  his  son,  Helaman. 

1  T|My  son,  give  ear  to  my  words;  for  I  swear  unto  you, 
that  inasmuch  as  ye  shall  keep  the  commandments  of  God, 
ye  shall  prosper  in  the  land. 

2  I  would  that  ye  should  do  as  I  have  done,  in  remember- 
ing the  captivity  of  our  fathers;  for  they  were  in  bondage, 
and  none  could  deliver  them,  except  it  was  the  God  of  Abra- 
ham, and  the  God  of  Isaac,  and  the  God  of  Jacob:  and  he 
surely  did  deliver  them  in  their  afflictions. 

3  And  now,  O  my  son  Helaman,  behold  thou  art  in  thy 
youth,  and  therefore  I  beseech  of  thee  that  thou  wilt  hear  my 
words,  and  learn  of  me;  for  I  do  know  that  whosoever  shall 
put  their  trust  in  God,  shall  be  supported  in  their  trials,  and 
their  troubles,  and  their  afflictions,  and  shall  be  lifted  up  at 
the  last  day; 

4  And  I  would  not  that  ye  think  that  I  know  of  myself, 
not  of  the  temporal,  but  of  the  spiritual;  not  of  the  carnal 
mind,  but  of  God. 

5  Now  behold  I  say  unto  you.  If  I  had  not  been  born  of 
God,  I  should  not  have  known  these  things;  but  God  has  by 
the  mouth  of  his  holy  angel,  made  these  things  known  unto 
me,  not  of  any  worthiness  of  myself,  for  I  went  about  with 
the  sons  of  Mosiah,  seeking  to  destroy  the  church  of  God; 
but  behold,  God  sent  his  holy  angel  to  stop  us  by  the  way. 

6  And  behold,  he  spake  unto  us,  as  it  were  the  voice  of 


CHAP.   17.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  435 

thunder,  and  the  whole  earth  did  tremble  beneath  our  feet, 
and  we  all  fell  to  the  earth,  for  the  fear  of  the  Lord  came 
upon  us. 

7  But  behold,  the  voice  said  unto  me,  Arise.  And  I  arose 
and  stood  up,  and  beheld  the  angel.  And  he  said  unto  me, 
If  thou  wilt  of  thyself  be  destroyed,  seek  no  more  to  destroy 
the  church  of  God. 

8  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  fell  to  the  earth;  and  it  was 
for  the  space  of  three  days  and  three  nights,  that  I  could  not 
open  my  mouth;  neither  had  I  the  use  of  my  limbs. 

9  And  the  angel  spake  more  things  unto  me,  which  were 
heard  by  my  brethren,  but  I  did  not  hear  them;  for  when  I 
heard  the  words,  If  thou  wilt  be  destroyed  of  thyself,  seek 
no  more  to  destroy  the  church  of  God,  I  was  struck  with  such 
great  fear  and  amazement,  lest  perhaps  I  should  be  destroyed, 
that  I  fell  to  the  earth,  and  I  did  hear  no  more; 

10  But  I  was  racked  with  eternal  torment,  for  my  soul  was 
harrowed  up  to  the  greatest  degree,  and  racked  with  all  my 
sins.  Yea,  I  did  remember  all  my  sins  and  iniquities,  for 
which  I  was  tormented  with  the  pains  of  hell; 

11  Yea,  I  saw  that  I  had  rebelled  against  my  God,  and 
that  I  had  not  kept  his  holy  commandments;  yea,  and  I  had 
murdered  many  of  his  children,  or  rather  led  them  away  unto 
destruction ; 

12  Yea,  and  in  fine,  so  great  had  been  my  iniquities,  that 
the  very  thoughts  of  coming  into  the  presence  of  my  God,  did 
rack  my  soul  with  inexpressible  horror. 

13  0,  thought  I,  that  I  could  be  banished  and  become  ex- 
tinct both  soul  and  body,  that  I  might  not  be  brought  to  stand 
in  the  presence  of  my  God,  to  be  judged  of  my  deeds. 

14  And  now,  for  three  days  and  for  three  nights  was  I 
racked,  even  with  the  pains  of  a  damned  soul. 

15  T[And  it  came  to  pass  that  as  I  was  thus  racked  with 
torment,  while  I  was  harrowed  up  by  the  memory  of  my  many 
sins,  behold,  I  remembered  also  to  have  heard  my  father 
prophesy  unto  the  people,  concerning  the  coming  of  one  Jesus 
Christ,  a  Son  of  God,  to  atone  for  the  sins  of  the  world. 

16  Now  as  my  mind  caught  hold  upon  this  thought,  I  cried 


436  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.   17. 

within  my  heart,  0  Jesus,  thou  Son  of  God,  have  mercy  on 
me,  who  art  in  the  gall  of  bitterness,  and  art  encircled  about 
by  the  everlasting  chains  of  death. 

17  And  now  behold,  when  I  thought  this,  I  could  remember 
my  pains  no  more;  yea,  I  was  harrowed  up  by  the  memory  of 
my  sins  no  more. 

18  And  0,  what  joy,  and  what  marvelous  light  I  did  be- 
hold; yea,  my  soul  was  filled  with  joy  as  exceeding  as  was 
my  pain;  yea,  I  say  unto  you,  my  son,  that  there  could  be 
nothing  so  exquisite  and  so  bitter  as  was  my  pains. 

19  Yea,  and  again  I  say  unto  you,  my  son,  that  on  the 
other  hand,  there  can  be  nothing  so  exquisite  and  sweet  as 
was  my  joy; 

20  Yea,  methought  I  saw  even  as  our  father  Lehi  saw,  God 
sitting  upon  his  throne,  surrounded  with  numberless  con- 
courses of  angels,  in  the  attitude  of  singing  and  praising  their 
God;  yea,  and  my  soul  did  long  to  be  there. 

21  But  behold,  my  limbs  did  receive  their  strength  again, 
and  I  stood  upon  my  feet,  and  did  manifest  unto  the  people 
that  I  had  been  born  of  God; 

22  Yea,  and  from  that  time,  even  until  now,  I  have  labored 
without  ceasing,  that  I  might  bring  souls  unto  repentance; 
that  I  might  bring  them  to  taste  of  the  exceeding  joy  of  which 
I  did  taste;  that  they  might  also  be  born  of  God,  and  be  filled 
with  the  Holy  Ghost. 

23  Yea,  and  now  behold,  O  my  son,  the  Lord  doth  give  me 
exceeding  great  joy  in  the  fruit  of  my  labors;  for  because  of 
the  word  which  he  has  imparted  unto  me,  behold,  many  have 
been  born  of  God,  and  have  tasted  as  I  have  tasted,  and  have 
seen  eye  to  eye,  as  I  have  seen; 

24  Therefore  they  do  know  of  these  things  of  which  I  have 
spoken,  as  I  do  know;  and  the  knowledge  which  I  have  is  of 
God. 

25  And  I  have  been  supported  under  trials  and  troubles  of 
every  kind,  yea,  and  in  all  manner  of  afflictions;  yea,  God  has 
delivered  me  from  prison,  and  from  bonds,  and  from  death; 
yea,  and  I  do  put  my  trust  in  him,  and  he  will  still  deliver  me; 

26  And  I  know  that  he  will  raise  me  up  at  the  last  day,  to 


CHAP.  17.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  437 

dwell  with  him  in  glory;  yea,  and  I  will  praise  him  for  ever, 
for  he  has  brought  our  fathers  out  of  Egypt,  and  he  has 
swallowed  up  the  Egyptians  in  the  Red  Sea;  and  he  led  them 
by  his  power  into  the  promised  land; 

27  Yea,  and  he  has  delivered  them  out  of  bondage  and 
captivity,  from  time  to  time;  yea,  and  he  has  also  brought 
our  fathers  out  of  the  land  of  Jerusalem;  and  he  has  also 
by  his  everlasting  power,  delivered  them  out  of  bondage  and 
captivity,  from  time  to  time,  even  down  to  the  present  day; 

28  And  I  have  always  retained  in  remembrance  their  cap- 
tivity: yea,  and  ye  also  ought  to  retain  in  remembrance,  as  I 
have  done,  their  captivity. 

29  But  behold,  my  son,  this  is  not  all ;  for  ye  ought  to  know, 
as  I  do  know,  that  inasmuch  as  ye  shall  keep  the  command- 
ments of  God,  ye  shall  prosper  in  the  land; 

30  And  ye  ought  to  know  also,  that  inasmuch  as  ye  will  not 
keep  the  commandments  of  God,  ye  shall  be  cut  off  from  his 
presence.    Now  this  is  according  to  his  word. 

31  TJAnd  now  my  son  Helaman,  I  command  you  that  ye 
take  the  records  which  have  been  entrusted  with  me;  and  I 
also  command  you  that  ye  keep  a  record  of  this  people,  ac- 
cording as  I  have  done,  upon  the  plates  of  Nephi,  and  keep 
all  these  things  sacred  which  I  have  kept,  even  as  I  have  kept 
them:  for  it  is  for  a  wise  purpose  that  they  are  kept; 

32  And  these  plates  of  brass  which  contain  these  engrav- 
ings, which  have  the  records  of  the  holy  scriptures  upon  them, 
which  have  the  genealogy  of  our  forefathers,  even  from  the 
beginning. 

33  And  behold,  it  has  been  prophesied  by  our  fathers,  that 
they  should  be  kept  and  handed  down  from  one  generation  to 
another,  and  be  kept  and  preserved  by  the  hand  of  the  Lord, 
until  they  should  go  forth  unto  every  nation,  kindred,  tongue 
and  people,  that  they  shall  know  of  the  mysteries  contained 
thereon. 

34  And  now  behold,  if  they  are  kept,  they  must  retain  their 
brightness;  yea,  and  they  will  retain  their  brightness;  yea, 
and  also  shall  all  the  plates  which  do  contain  that  which  is 
holy  writ. 


438  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  17. 

35  Now  ye  may  suppose  that  this  is  foolishness  in  me;  but 
behold  I  say  unto  you,  that  by  small  and  simple  things,  are 
great  things  brought  to  pass;  and  small  means  in  many  in- 
stances, doth  confound  the  wise. 

36  And  the  Lord  God  doth  work  by  means  to  bring  about 
his  great  and  eternal  purposes;  and  by  very  small  means  the 
Lord  doth  confound  the  wise,  and  bringeth  about  the  salva- 
tion of  many  souls. 

37  And  now,  it  has  hitherto  been  wisdom  in  God,  that  these 
things  should  be  preserved:  for  behold,  they  have  enlarged 
the  memory  of  this  people,  yea,  and  convinced  many  of  the 
error  of  their  ways,  and  brought  them  to  the  knowledge  of 
their  God,  unto  the  salvation  of  their  souls. 

38  Yea,  I  say  unto  you,  were  it  not  for  these  things  that 
these  records  do  contain,  which  are  on  these  plates,  Ammon 
and  his  brethren  could  not  have  convinced  so  many  thousands 
of  the  Lamanites,  of  the  incorrect  tradition  of  their  fathers; 

39  Yea,  these  records  and  their  words,  brought  them  unto 
repentance;  that  is,  they  brought  them  to  the  knowledge  of 
the  Lord  their  God,  and  to  rejoice  in  Jesus  Christ  their  Re- 
deemer. 

40  And  who  knoweth  but  what  they  will  be  the  means  of 
bringing  many  thousands  of  them,  yea,  and  also  many  thou- 
sands of  our  stiff-necked  brethren,  the  Nephites,  who  are  now 
hardening  their  hearts,  in  sins  and  iniquities,  to  the  knowl- 
edge of  their  Redeemer. 

41  Now  these  mysteries  are  not  yet  fully  made  known  unto 
me;  therefore  I  shall  forbear. 

42  And  it  may  suffice,  if  I  only  say,  they  are  preserved  for 
a  wise  purpose,  which  purpose  is  known  unto  God:  for  he 
doth  counsel  in  wisdom  over  all  his  works,  and  his  paths  are 
straight  and  his  course  is  one  eternal  round. 

43  O  remember,  remember,  my  son  Helaman,  how  strict  are 
the  commandments  of  God. 

44  And  he  said.  If  ye  will  keep  my  commandments,  ye  shall 
prosper  in  the  land;  but  if  ye  keep  not  his  commandments,  ye 
shall  be  cut  off  from  his  presence. 

45  And  now  remember,  my  son,  that  God  has   entrusted 


CHAP.   17.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  439 

you  with  these  things,  which  are  sacred,  which  he  has  kept 
sacred,  and  also  which  he  will  keep  and  preserve  for  a  wise 
purpose  in  him,  that  he  may  shew  forth  his  power  unto  future 
generations. 

46  TlAnd  now  behold,  I  tell  you  by  the  spirit  of  prophecy, 
that  if  ye  transgress  the  commandments  of  God,  behold,  these 
things  which  are  sacred,  shall  be  taken  away  from  you  by  the 
power  of  God,  and  ye  shall  be  delivered  up  unto  Satan,  that 
he  may  sift  you  as  chaff  before  the  wind; 

47  But  if  ye  keep  the  commandments  of  God,  and  do  with 
these  things  which  are  sacred,  according  to  that  which  the 
Lord  doth  command  you,  (for  you  must  appeal  unto  the  Lord 
for  all  things  whatsoever  ye  must  do  with  them,)  behold  no 
power  of  earth  or  hell  can  take  them  from  you,  for  God  is 
powerful  to  the  fulfilling  of  all  his  words: 

48  For  he  will  fulfill  all  his  promises  which  he  shall  make 
unto  you,  for  he  has  fulfilled  his  promises  which  he  has  made 
unto  our  fathers. 

49  For  he  promised  unto  them  that  he  would  reserve  these 
things  for  a  wise  purpose  in  him,  that  he  might  shew  forth 
his  power  unto  future  generations. 

50  ^And  now  behold,  one  purpose  hath  he  fulfilled,  even  to 
the  restoration  of  many  thousands  of  the  Lamanites  to  the 
knowledge  of  the  truth;  and  he  hath  shewn  forth  his  power 
in  them,  and  he  will  also  still  shew  forth  his  power  in  them, 
unto  future  generations;  therefore  they  shall  be  preserved; 

51  Therefore  I  command  you,  my  son  Helaman,  that  ye  be 
diligent  in  fulfilling  all  my  words,  and  that  ye  be  diligent  in 
keeping  the  commandments  of  God,  as  they  are  written. 

52  ^And  now,  I  will  speak  unto  you  concerning  those 
twenty-four  plates,  that  ye  keep  them,  that  the  mysteries  and 
the  works  of  darkness,  and  their  secret  works,  or  the  secret 
works  of  those  people,  who  have  been  destroyed,  may  be  made 
manifest  unto  this  people; 

53  Yea,  all  their  murders,  and  robbings,  and  their  plunder- 
ings,  and  all  their  wickedness,  and  abominations,  may  be  made 
manifest  unto  this  people;  yea,  and  that  ye  preserve  these 
directors. 


440  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.   17. 

54  For,  behold,  the  Lord  saw  that  his  people  began  to  work 
in  darkness,  yea,  work  secret  murders  and  abominations; 
therefore  the  Lord  said,  if  they  did  not  repent,  they  should  be 
destroyed  from  off  the  face  of  the  earth. 

55  And  the  Lord  said,  I  will  prepare  unto  my  servant  Gaze- 
lem,  a  stone,  which  shall  shine  forth  in  darkness  unto  light, 
that  I  may  discover  unto  my  people  who  serve  me,  that  I  may 
discover  unto  them  the  works  of  their  brethren;  yea,  their 
secret  works,  their  works  of  darkness,  and  their  wickedness 
and  abominations. 

56  And  now  my  son,  these  directors  were  prepared,  that  the 
word  of  God  might  be  fulfilled,  which  he  spake,  saying :  I  will 
bring  forth  out  of  darkness  unto  light,  all  their  secret  works 
and  their  abominations: 

57  And  except  they  repent,  I  will  destroy  them  from  off  the 
face  of  the  earth;  and  I  will  bring  to  light  all  their  secrets 
and  abominations,  unto  every  nation  that  shall  hereafter  pos- 
sess the  land. 

58  And  now  my  son,  we  see  that  they  did  not  repent;  there- 
fore they  have  been  destroyed;  and  thus  far  the  word  of  God 
has  been  fulfilled;  yea,  their  secret  abominations  have  been 
brought  out  of  darkness,  and  made  known  unto  us. 

59  TJAnd  now  my  son,  I  command  you  that  ye  retain  all  their 
oaths,  and  their  covenants,  and  their  agreements  in  their  se- 
cret abominations;  yea,  and  all  their  signs  and  their  wonders 
ye  shall  retain  from  this  people,  that  they  know  them  not,  lest 
peradventure  they  should  fall  into  darkness  also,  and  be  de- 
stroyed. 

60  For  behold,  there  is  a  curse  upon  all  this  land,  that  de- 
struction shall  come  upon  all  those  workers  of  darkness, 
according  to  the  power  of  God,  when  they  are  fully  ripe; 
therefore  I  desire  that  this  people  might  not  be  destroyed. 

61  Therefore  ye  shall  keep  these  secret  plans  of  their  oaths 
and  their  covenants  from  this  people,  and  only  their  wicked- 
ness, and  their  murders,  and  their  abominations,  shall  ye  make 
known  unto  them: 

62  And  ye  shall  teach  them  to  abhor  such  wickedness,  and 
abominations,   and   murders;    and   ye   shall   also  teach   them. 


CHAP.   17.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  441 

that  these  people  were  destroyed  on  account  of  their  wicked- 
ness, and  abominations,  and  their  murders. 

63  For  behold,  they  murdered  all  the  prophets  of  the  Lord 
who  came  among  them  to  declare  unto  them  concerning  their 
iniquities;  and  the  blood  of  those  whom  they  murdered,  did 
cry  unto  the  Lord  their  God,  for  vengeance  upon  those  who 
were  their  murderers; 

64  And  thus  the  judgments  of  God  did  come  upon  these 
workers  of  darkness  and  secret  combinations;  yea,  and  cursed 
be  the  land  for  ever  and  ever  unto  those  workers  of  darkness 
and  secret  combinations,  even  unto  destruction,  except  they 
repent  before  they  are  fully  ripe. 

65  ^And  now  my  son,  remember  the  words  which  I  have 
spoken  unto  you :  trust  not  those  secret  plans  unto  this  people, 
but  teach  them  an  everlasting  hatred  against  sin  and  iniquity; 

66  Preach  unto  them  repentance,  and  faith  on  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ:  teach  them  to  humble  themselves,  and  to  be 
meek  and  lowly  in  heart;  teach  them  to  withstand  every  temp- 
tation of  the  devil,  with  their  faith  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ; 

67  Teach  them  to  never  be  weary  of  good  works,  but  to  be 
meek  and  lowly  in  heart :  for  such  shall  find  rest  to  their  souls. 

68  0  remember  my  son,  and  learn  wisdom  in  thy  youth; 
yea,  learn  in  thy  youth  to  keep  the  commandments  of  God; 
yea,  and  cry  unto  God  for  all  thy  support; 

69  Yea,  let  all  thy  doings  be  unto  the  Lord,  and  whitherso- 
ever thou  goest,  let  it  be  in  the  Lord;  yea,  let  thy  thoughts  be 
directed  unto  the  Lord;  yea,  let  the  affections  of  thy  heart  be 
placed  upon  the  Lord  for  ever;  counsel  the  Lord  in  all  thy 
doings,  and  he  will  direct  thee  for  good: 

70  Yea,  when  thou  liest  down  at  night,  lie  down  unto  the 
Lord,  that  he  may  watch  over  you  in  your  sleep;  and  when 
thou  risest  in  the  morning,  let  thy  heart  be  full  of  thanks 
unto  God;  and  if  ye  do  these  things,  ye  shall  be  lifted  up  at 
the  last  day. 

71  And  now  my  son,  I  have  somewhat  to  say  concerning 
the  thing  which  our  fathers  call  a  ball,  or  director;  or  our 
fathers  called  it  liahona,  which  is,  being  interpreted,  a  com- 
pass; and  the  Lord  prepared  it. 


442  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.   17. 

72  And  behold,  there  can  not  any  man  work  after  the  man- 
ner of  so  curious  a  workmanship. 

73  And  behold,  it  was  prepared  to  shew  unto  our  fathers 
the  course  which  they  should  travel  in  the  wilderness;  and  it 
did  work  for  them  according  to  their  faith  in  God; 

74  Therefore  if  they  had  faith  to  believe  that  God  could 
cause  that  those  spindles  should  point  the  way  they  should 
go,  behold,  it  was  done;  therefore  they  had  this  miracle,  and 
also  many  other  miracles  wrought  by  the  power  of  God,  day 
by  day; 

75  Nevertheless,  because  those  miracles  were  worked  by 
small  means,  it  did  shew  unto  them  marvelous  works. 

76  They  were  slothful,  and  forgot  to  exercise  their  faith 
and  diligence,  and  then  those  marvelous  works  ceased,  and 
they  did  not  progress  in  their  journey: 

77  Therefore  they  tarried  in  the  wilderness,  or  did  not 
travel  a  direct  course,  and  were  afflicted  with  hunger  and 
thirst,  because  of  their  transgressions. 

78  IJAnd  now  my  son,  I  would  that  ye  should  understand 
that  these  things  are  not  without  a  shadow ;  for  as  our  fathers 
were  slothful  to  give  heed  to  this  compass,  (now  these  things 
were  temporal,)  they  did  not  prosper;  even  so  it  is  with  things 
which  are  spiritual. 

79  For  behold,  it  is  as  easy  to  give  heed  to  the  word  of 
Christ,  which  will  point  to  you  a  straight  course  to  eternal 
bliss,  as  it  was  for  our  fathers  to  give  heed  to  this  compass, 
which  would  point  unto  them  a  straight  course,  to  the  prom- 
ised land. 

80  And  now  I  say,  Is  there  not  a  type  in  this  thing?  For 
just  as  surely  as  this  director  did  bring  our  fathers,  by  fol- 
lowing its  course,  to  the  promised  land,  shall  the  words  of 
Christ,  if  we  follow  their  course,  carry  us  beyond  this  vale 
of  sorrow,  into  a  far  better  land  of  promise. 

81  T[0  my  son,  do  not  let  us  be  slothful  because  of  the  easi- 
ness of  the  way;  for  so  was  it  with  our  fathers;  for  so  was  it 
prepared  for  them,  that  if  they  would  look,  they  might  live; 
even  so  it  is  with  us. 


CHAP.   18.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  443 

82  The  way  is  prepared,  and  if  we  will  look,  we  may  live 
for  ever. 

83  And  now  my  son,  see  that  ye  take  care  of  these  sacred 
things;  yea,  see  that  ye  look  to  God  and  live. 

84  Go  unto  this  people,  and  declare  the  word,  and  be  sober. 
My  son,  farewell. 


CHAPTER  18. 
The  commandments  of  Alma,  to  his  son,  Shiblon. 

1  IJMy  son,  give  ear  to  my  words;  for  I  say  unto  you,  even 
as  I  said  unto  Helaman,  that  inasmuch  as  ye  shall  keep  the 
commandments  of  God,  ye  shall  prosper  in  the  land;  and  in- 
asmuch as  ye  will  not  keep  the  commandments  of  God,  ye  shall 
be  cast  off  from  his  presence. 

2  And  now  my  son,  I  trust  that  I  shall  have  great  joy  in 
you,  because  of  your  steadiness  and  your  faithfulness  unto 
God;  for  as  you  have  commenced  in  your  youth,  to  look  to  the 
Lord  your  God,  even  so  I  hope  that  you  will  continue  in  keep- 
ing his  commandments:  for  blessed  is  he  that  endureth  to  the 
end. 

3  I  say  unto  you  my  son,  that  I  have  had  great  joy  in  thee 
already,  because  of  thy  faithfulness,  and  thy  diligence,  and 
thy  patience,  and  thy  long  suffering  among  the  people  of  the 
Zoramites. 

4  For  I  knew  that  thou  wast  in  bonds ;  yea,  and  I  also  knew 
that  thou  wast  stoned  for  the  word's  sake;  and  thou  didst 
bear  all  these  things  with  patience,  because  the  Lord  was  with 
thee;  and  now  thou  knowest  that  the  Lord  did  deliver  thee. 

5  ^And  now  my  son  Shiblon,  I  would  that  ye  should  re- 
member that  as  much  as  ye  shall  put  your  trust  in  God,  even 
so  much  ye  shall  be  delivered  out  of  your  trials,  and  your 
troubles,  and  your  afflictions;  and  ye  shall  be  lifted  up  at  the 
last  day. 

6  Now  my  son,  I  would  not  that  ye  should  think  that  I 
know  these  things  of  myself,  but  it  is  the  Spirit  of  God  which 
is  in  me,  which  maketh  these  things  known  unto  me:  for  if  I 


444  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.   18. 

had  not  been  born  of  God,  I   should  not  have  known  these 
things. 

7  But  behold,  the  Lord  in  his  great  mercy  sent  his  angel 
to  declare  unto  me,  that  I  must  stop  the  work  of  destruction 
among  his  people; 

8  Yea,  and  I  have  seen  an  angel  face  to  face;  and  he 
spake  with  me,  and  his  voice  was  as  thunder,  and  it  shook 
the  whole  earth. 

9  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  I  was  three  days  and  three 
nights  in  the  most  bitter  pain  and  anguish  of  soul :  and  never, 
until  I  did  cry  out  unto  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  for  mercy,  did 
I  receive  a  remission  of  my  sins. 

10  But  behold,  I  did  cry  unto  him,  and  I  did  find  peace  to 
my  soul. 

11  And  now  my  son,  I  have  told  you  this,  that  ye  may 
learn  wisdom,  that  ye  may  learn  of  me  that  there  is  no  other 
way  nor  means  whereby  man  can  be  saved,  only  in  and 
through  Christ. 

12  Behold,  he  is  the  life  and  the  light  of  the  world.  Be- 
hold, he  is  the  word  of  truth  and  righteousness. 

13  And  now,  as  ye  have  begun  to  teach  the  word,  even  so 
I  would  that  ye  should  continue  to  teach;  and  I  would  that  ye 
would  be  diligent  and  temperate  in  all  things. 

14  See  that  ye  are  not  lifted  up  unto  pride:  yea,  see  that 
ye  do  not  boast  in  your  own  wisdom,  nor  of  your  much 
strength;  use  boldness,  but  not  overbearance; 

15  And  also  see  that  ye  bridle  all  your  passions,  that  ye 
may  be  filled  with  love;  see  that  ye  refrain  from  idleness; 
do  not  pray  as  the  Zoramites  do,  for  ye  have  seen  that  they 
pray  to  be  heard  of  men,  and  to  be  praised  for  their  wisdom. 

16  Do  not  say,  O  God,  I  thank  thee  that  we  are  better  than 
our  brethren;  but  rather  say,  0  Lord,  forgive  my  unworthi- 
ness,  and  remember  my  brethren  in  mercy;  yea,  acknowledge 
your  unworthiness  before  God  at  all  times. 

17  And  may  the  Lord-  bless  your  soul,  and  receive  you  at 
the  last  day  into  his  kingdom,  to  sit  down  in  peace. 

18  Now  go,  my  son,  and  teach  the  word  unto  this  people. 
Be  sober.    My  son,  farewell. 


CHAP.  19.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  445 

CHAPTER  19. 

The  commandments  of  Alma,  to  his  son,  Corianton. 

1  ^And  now  my  son,  I  have  somewhat  more  to  say  unto 
thee  than  what  I  said  unto  thy  brother:  for  behc/ld,  have  ye 
not  observed  the  steadiness  of  thy  brother,  his  faithfulness, 
and  his  diligence  in  keeping  the  commandments  of  God. 

2  Behold,  has  he  not  set  a  good  example  for  thee? 

3  For  thou  didst  not  give  so  much  heed  unto  my  words  as 
did  thy  brother,  among  the  people  of  the  Zoramites. 

4  Now  this  is  what  I  have  against  thee;  thou  didst  go  on 
unto  boasting  in  thy  strength,  and  thy  wisdom. 

5  And  this  is  not  all,  my  son.  Thou  didst  do  that  which 
was  grievous  unto  me;  for  thou  didst  forsake  the  ministry, 
and  did  go  over  into  the  land  of  Siron,  among  the  borders  of 
the  Lamanites,  after  the  harlot  Isabel;  yea,  she  did  steal 
away  the  hearts  of  many;  but  this  was  no  excuse  for  thee, 
my  son. 

6  Thou  shouldst  have  tended  to  the  ministry,  wherewith 
thou  wast  entrusted. 

7  Know  ye  not,  my  son,  that  these  things  are  an  abomina- 
tion in  the  sight  of  the  Lord;  yea,  most  abominable  above  all 
sins,  save  it  be  the  shedding  of  innocent  blood,  or  denying  the 
Holy  Ghost? 

8  For  behold,  if  ye  deny  the  Holy  Ghost  when  it  once  has 
had  place  in  you,  and  ye  know  that  ye  deny  it;  behold,  this  is 
a  sin  which  is  unpardonable; 

9  Yea,  and  whosoever  murdereth  against  the  light  and 
knowledge  of  God,  it  is  not  easy  for  him  to  obtain  forgive- 
ness; yea,  I  say  unto  you,  my  son,  that  it  is  not  easy  for  him 
to  obtain  a  forgiveness. 

10  And  now  my  son,  I  would  to  God  that  ye  had  not  been 
guilty  of  so  great  a  crime. 

11  I  would  not  dwell  upon  your  crimes,  to  harrow  up  your 
soul,  if  it  were  not  for  your  good. 

12  But  behold,  ye  can  not  hide  your  crimes  from  God;  and 
except  ye  repent,  they  will  stand  as  a  testimony  against  you 
at  the  last  day. 


446  BOOK    OP    ALMA.  [chap.  19. 

13  Now,  my  son,  I  would  that  ye  should  repent,  and  forsake 
your  sins,  and  go  no  more  after  the  lusts  of  your  eyes,  but 
cross  yourself  in  all  these  things;  for  except  ye  do  this,  ye 
can  in  no  wise  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God. 

14  O  reAiember,  and  take  it  upon  you,  and  cross  yourself 
in  these  things. 

15  And  I  command  you  to  take  it  upon  you  to  counsel  your 
elder  brothers  in  your  undertakings;  for  behold,  thou  art  in 
thy  youth,  and  ye  stand  in  need  to  be  nourished  by  your 
brothers. 

16  And  give  heed  to  their  counsel;  suffer  not  yourself  to 
be  led  away  by  any  vain  or  foolish  thing;  suffer  not  that  the 
devil  lead  away  your  heart  again,  after  those  wicked  harlots. 

17  Behold,  O  my  son,  how  great  iniquity  ye  brought  upon 
the  Zoramites:  for  when  they  saw  your  conduct,  they  would 
not  believe  in  my  words. 

18  And  now  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  doth  say  unto  me, 
Command  thy  children  to  do  good,  lest  they  lead  away  the 
hearts  of  many  people  to  destruction: 

19  Therefore  I  command  you,  my  son,  in  the  fear  of  God, 
that  you  refrain  from  your  iniquities;  that  ye  turn  to  the 
Lord  with  all  your  mind,  might  and  strength;  that  ye  lead 
away  the  hearts  of  no  more,  to  do  wickedly; 

20  But  rather  return  unto  them,  and  acknowledge  your 
faults,  and  retain  that  wrong  which  ye  have  done;  seek  not 
after  riches,  nor  the  vain  things  of  this  world;  for  behold, 
you  can  not  carry  them  with  you. 

21  ^And  now,  my  son,  I  would  say  somewhat  unto  you  con- 
cerning the  coming  of  Christ. 

22  Behold,  I  say  unto  you,  that  it  is  he  that  surely  shall 
come,  to  take  away  the  sins  of  the  world;  yea,  he  cometh  to 
declare  glad  tidings  of  salvation  unto  his  people. 

23  And  now  my  son,  this  was  the  ministry  unto  which  ye 
were  called,  to  declare  these  glad  tidings  unto  this  people,  to 
prepare  their  minds;  or  rather  that  salvation  might  come 
unto  them,  that  they  may  prepare  the  minds  of  their  children 
to  hear  the  word  at  the  time  of  his  coming. 

24  And  now  I  will  ease  your  mind  somewhat  on  this  sub- 


CHAP.  19.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  447 

ject.     Behold,  you  marvel  why  these  things  should  be  known 
so  long  beforehand. 

25  Behold,  I  say  unto  you,  Is  not  a  soul  at  this  time  as 
precious  unto  God,  as  a  soul  will  be  at  the  time  of  his  coming? 

26  Is  it  not  as  necessary  that  the  plan  of  redemption  should 
be  made  known  unto  this  people,  as  well  as  unto  their  chil- 
dren? 

27  Is  it  not  as  easy  at  this  time,  for  the  Lord  to  send  his 
angel  to  declare  these  glad  tidings  unto  us,  as  unto  our  chil- 
dren; or  as  after  the  time  of  his  coming? 

28  Now  my  son,  here  is  somewhat  more  I  would  say  unto 
thee:  for  I  perceive  that  thy  mind  is  worried  concerning  the 
resurrection  of  the  dead. 

29  Behold,  I  say  unto  you,  that  there  is  no  resurrection; 
or  I  would  say  in  other  words,  that  this  mortal  does  not  put 
on  immortality;  this  corruption  does  not  put  on  incorruption, 
until  after  the  coming  of  Christ. 

30  Behold,  he  bringeth  to  pass  the  resurrection  of  the  dead. 
But  behold,  my  son,  the  resurrection  is  not  yet. 

31  Now  I  unfold  unto  you  a  mystery:  nevertheless,  there 
are  many  mysteries,  which  are  kept,  that  no  one  knoweth 
them,  save  God  himself. 

32  But  I  shew  unto  you  one  thing,  which  I  have  inquired 
diligently  of  God,  that  I  might  know;  that  is,  concerning  the 
resurrection. 

33  Behold,  there  is  a  time  appomted  that  all  shaii  come 
forth  from  the  dead. 

34  Now  when  this  time  cometh,  no  one  knows;  but  God 
knoweth  the  time  which  is  appointed. 

35  Now  whether  there  shall  be  one  time,  or  a  second  time, 
or  a  third  time,  that  men  shall  come  forth  from  the  dead,  it 
mattereth  not;  for  God  knoweth  all  these  things;  and  it  suf- 
ficeth  me  to  know  that  this  is  the  case;  that  there  is  a  time 
appointed  that  all  shall  rise  from  the  dead. 

36  Now  there  must  needs  be  a  space  betwixt  the  time  of 
death,  and  the  time  of  the  resurrection. 

37  And  now  I  would  inquire  what  becometh  of  the  souls  of 


448  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  19. 

men,  from  this  time  of  death,  to  the  time  appointed  for  the 
resurrection? 

38  Now  whether  there  is  more  than  one  time  appointed  for 
men  to  rise,  it  mattereth  not:  for  all  do  not  die  at  once:  and 
this  mattereth  not;  all  is  as  one  day,  with  God;  and  time  only 
is  measured  unto  men; 

39  Therefore  there  is  a  time  appointed  unto  men,  that  they 
shall  rise  from  the  dead;  and  there  is  a  space  between  the 
time  of  death  and  the  resurrection. 

40  And  now  concerning  this  space  of  time.  What  becom- 
eth  of  the  souls  of  men,  is  the  thing  which  I  have  inquired 
diligently  of  the  Lord  to  know;  and  this  is  the  thing  of  which 
I  do  know. 

41  And  when  the  time  cometh  when  all  shall  rise,  then 
shall  they  know  that  God  knoweth  all  the  times  which  are  ap- 
pointed unto  man. 

42  Now  concerning  the  state  of  the  soul  between  death  and 
the  resurrection. 

43  Behold,  it  has  been  made  known  unto  me,  by  an  angel, 
that  the  spirits  of  all  men,  as  soon  as  they  are  departed  from 
this  mortal  body;  yea,  the  spirits  of  all  men,  whether  they  be 
good  or  evil,  are  taken  home  to  that  God  who  gave  them  life. 

44  And  then  shall  it  come  to  pass  that  the  spirits  of  those 
who  are  righteous,  are  received  into  a  state  of  happiness, 
which  is  called  paradise;  a  state  of  rest;  a  state  of  peace, 
where  they  shall  rest  from  all  their  troubles,  and  from  all 
care,  and  sorrow,  etc. 

45  And  then  shall  it  come  to  pass,  that  the  spirits  of  the 
wicked,  yea,  who  are  evil;  for  behold,  they  have  no  part  nor 
portion  of  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord:  for  behold  they  choose  evil 
works,  rather  than  good:  therefore  the  spirit  of  the  devil  did 
enter  into  them,  and  take  possession  of  their  house; 

46  And  these  shall  be  cast  out  into  outer  darkness;  there 
shall  be  weeping,  and  wailing  and  gnashing  of  teeth ;  and  this 
because  of  their  own  iniquity;  being  led  captive  by  the  will 
of  the  devil. 

47  Now  this  is  the  state  of  the  souls  of  the  wicked;  yea,  in 
darkness,  and  a  state  of  awful,  fearful,  looking  for,  of  the 


CHAP.  19.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  449 

fiery  indignation  of  the  wrath  of  God  upon  them;  thus  they 
remain  in  this  state,  as  well  as  the  righteous  in  paradise,  until 
the  time  of  their  resurrection. 

48  Now  there  are  some  that  have  understood  that  this  state 
of  happiness,  and  this  state  of  misery  of  the  soul,  before  the 
resurrection,  was  a  first  resurrection. 

49  Yea,  I  admit  it  may  be  termed  a  resurrection;  the  rais- 
ing of  the  spirit  or  the  soul,  and  their  consignation  to  happi- 
ness or  misery,  according  to  the  words  which  have  been 
spoken. 

50  And  behold,  again  it  hath  been  spoken,  that  there  is  a 
first  resurrection;  a  resurrection  of  all  those  who  have  been, 
or  who  are,  or  who  shall  be,  down  to  the  resurrection  of  Christ 
from  the  dead. 

51  Now  we  do  not  suppose  that  this  first  resurrection  which 
is  spoken  of  in  this  manner,  can  be  the  resurrection  of  the 
souls,  and  their  consignation  to  happiness  or  misery.  Ye  can 
not  suppose  that  this  is  what  it  meaneth. 

52  Behold,  I  say  unto  you.  Nay;  but  it  meaneth  the  re- 
uniting of  the  soul  with  the  body  of  those  from  the  days  of 
Adam,  down  to  the  resurrection  of  Christ. 

53  Now  whether  the  souls  and  the  bodies  of  those  of  whom 
have  been  spoken,  shall  all  be  reunited  at  once,  the  wicked  as 
well  as  the  righteous,  I  do  not  say; 

54  Let  it  suffice,  that  I  say  that  they  all  come  forth;  or  in 
other  words,  their  resurrection  cometh  to  pass  before  the  res- 
urrection of  those  who  die  after  the  resurrection  of  Christ. 

55  Now  my  son,  I  do  not  say  that  their  resurrection  cometh 
at  the  resurrection  of  Christ;  but  behold,  I  give  it  as  my 
opinion,  that  the  souls  and  the  bodies  are  reunited,  of  the 
righteous  at  the  resurrection  of  Christ,  and  his  ascension  into 
heaven. 

56  But  whether  it  be  at  his  resurrection,  or  after,  I  do  not 
say;  but  this  much  I  say,  that  there  is  a  space  between  death 
and  the  resurrection  of  the  body,  and  a  state  of  the  soul  in 
happiness  or  in  misery,  until  the  time  which  is  appointed  of 
God  that  the  dead  shall  come  forth  and  be  reunited,  both  soul 


450  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  19. 

and  body,  and  be  brought  to  stand  before  God,  and  be  judged 
according  to  their  works; 

57  Yea,  this  bringeth  about  the  restoration  of  those  things 
of  which  have  been  spoken  by  the  mouths  of  the  prophets. 

58  The  soul  shall  be  restored  to  the  body,  and  the  body  to 
the  soul;  yea,  and  every  limb  and  joint  shall  be  restored  to 
its  body;  yea,  even  a  hair  of  the  head  shall  not  be  lost,  but 
all  things  shall  be  restored  to  their  proper  and  perfect  frame. 

59  And  now  my  son,  this  is  the  restoration  of  which  has 
been  spoken  by  the  mouths  of  the  prophets.  And  then  shall 
the  righteous  shine  forth  in  the  kingdom  of  God. 

60  But  behold,  an  awful  death  cometh  upon  the  wicked; 
for  they  die  as  to  things  pertaining  to  things  of  righteous- 
ness; for  they  are  unclean,  and  no  unclean  thing  can  inherit 
the  kingdom  of  God; 

61  But  they  are  cast  out,  and  consigned  to  partake  of  the 
fruits  of  their  labors  or  their  works,  which  have  been  evil; 
and  they  drink  the  dregs  of  a  bitter  cup. 

62  TJAnd  now  my  son,  I  have  somewhat  to  say  concerning 
the  restoration  of  which  has  been  spoken:  for  behold,  some 
have  wrested  the  scriptures,  and  have  gone  far  astray,  be- 
cause of  this  thing. 

63  And  I  perceive  that  thy  mind  has  been  worried  also  con- 
cerning this  thing.    But  behold,  I  will  explain  it  unto  thee. 

64  I  say  unto  thee,  my  son,  that  the  plan  of  restoration  is 
requisite  with  the  justice  of  God;  for  it  is  requisite  that  all 
things  should  be  restored  to  their  proper  order. 

65  Behold  it  is  requisite  and  just,  according  to  the  power 
and  resurrection  of  Christ,  that  the  soul  of  man  should  be 
restored  to  its  body,  and  that  every  part  of  the  body  should 
be  restored  to  itself. 

66  And  it  is  requisite  with  the  justice  of  God,  that  men 
should  be  judged  according  to  their  works;  and  if  their  works 
were  good  in  this  life,  and  the  desires  of  their  hearts  were 
good,  that  they  should  also,  at  the  last  day,  be  restored  unto 
that  which  is  good; 

67  And  if  their  works  are  evil,  they  shall  be  restored  unto 
him  for  evil:  therefore,  all  things  shall  be,  restored  to  their 


CHAP.  19.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  451 

proper  order;  everything  to  its  natural  frame;  mortality 
raised  to  immortality;  corruption  to  incorruption ;  raised  to 
endless  happiness,  to  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God,  or  to  end- 
less misery,  to  inherit  the  kingdom  of  the  devil; 

68  The  one  on  the  one  hand,  the  other  on  the  other;  the 
one  raised  to  happiness,  according  to  his  desires  of  happi- 
ness; or  good,  according  to  his  desires  of  good;  and  the  other 
to  evil,  according  to  his  desires  of  evil;  for  as  he  has  desired 
to  do  evil  all  the  day  long,  even  so  shall  he  have  his  reward  of 
evil,  when  the  night  cometh. 

69  And  so  it  is  on  the  other  hand.  If  he  hath  repented  of 
his  sins,  and  desired  righteousness  until  the  end  of  his  days, 
even  so  shall  he  be  rewarded  unto  righteousness. 

70  These  are  they  that  are  redeemed  of  the  Lord ;  yea,  these 
are  they  that  are  taken  out,  that  are  delivered  from  that  end- 
less night  of  darkness;  and  thus  they  stand  or  fall;  for  be- 
hold, they  are  their  own  judges,  whether  to  do  good  or  do  evil. 

71  Now  the  decrees  of  God  are  unalterable;  therefore  the 
way  is  prepared,  that  whosoever  will,  may  walk  therein  and 
be  saved. 

72  And  now  behold,  my  son,  do  not  risk  one  more  offense 
against  your  God  upon  those  points  of  doctrine,  which  ye  have 
hitherto  risked  to  commit  sin. 

73  Do  not  suppose,  because  it  has  been  spoken  concerning 
restoration,  that  ye  shall  be  restored  from  sin  to  happiness. 

74  Behold,  I  say  unto  you.  Wickedness  never  was  happiness. 

75  And  now,  my  son,  all  men  that  are  in  a  state  of  nature, 
or  I  would  say,  in  a  carnal  state,  are  in  the  gall  of  bitterness, 
and  in  the  bonds  of  iniquity;  they  are  without  God  in  the 
world,  and  they  have  gone  contrary  to  the  nature  of  God; 
therefore  they  are  in  a  state  contrary  to  the  nature  of  hap- 
piness. 

76  And  now  behold,  is  the  meaning  of  the  word  restoration, 
to  take  a  thing  of  a  natural  state,  and  place  it  in  an  un- 
natural state,  or  to  place  it  in  a  state  opposite  to  its  nature? 

77  O,  my  son,  this  is  not  the  case;  but  the  meaning  of  the 
word  restoration,  is  to  bring  back  again  evil  for  evil,  or  car- 
nal for  carnal,  or  devilish  for  devilish;  good  for  that  which  is 


452  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  19. 

good;    righteous  for   that  which   is  righteous;   just  for  that 
which  is  just;  merciful  for  that  which  is  merciful; 

78  Therefore,  my  son,  see  that  ye  are  merciful  unto  your 
brethren;  deal  justly,  judge  righteously,  and  do  good  con- 
tinually; and  if  ye  do  all  these  things,  then  shall  ye  receive 
your  reward; 

79  Yea,  ye  shall  have  mercy  restored  unto  you  again;  ye 
shall  have  justice  restored  unto  you  again;  ye  shall  have  a 
righteous  judgment  restored  unto  you  again; 

80  And  ye  shall  have  good  rewarded  unto  you  again;  for 
that  which  ye  do  send  out,  shall  return  unto  you  again,  and 
be  restored;  therefore  the  word  restoration,  more  fully  con- 
demneth  the  sinner,  and  justifieth  him  not  at  all. 

81  TJAnd  now,  my  son,  I  perceive  there  is  somewhat  more 
which  doth  worry  your  mind,  which  ye  can  not  understand, 
which  is  concerning  the  justice  of  God,  in  the  punishment  of 
the  sinner:  for  ye  do  try  to  suppose  that  it  is  injustice  that 
the  sinner  should  be  consigned  to  a  state  of  misery. 

82  Now  behold,  my  son,  I  will  explain  this  thing  unto  thee : 
for  behold,  after  the  Lord  God  sent  our  first  parents  forth 
from  the  garden  of  Eden  to  till  the  ground,  from  whence  they 
were  taken;  yea,  he  drew  out  the  man,  and  he  placed  at  the 
east  end  of  the  garden  of  Eden,  cherubim,  and  a  flaming 
sword  which  turned  every  way,  to  keep  the  tree  of  life. 

83  Now  we  see  that  the  man  had  become  as  God,  knowing 
good  and  evil;  and  lest  he  should  put  forth  his  hand,  and 
take  also  of  the  tree  of  life,  and  eat,  and  live  for  ever,  the 
Lord  God  placed  cherubim  and  the  flaming  sword,  that  he 
should  not  partake  of  the  fruit; 

84  And  thus  we  see,  that  there  was  a  time  granted  unto 
man,  to  repent,  yea,  a  probationary  time,  a  time  to  repent 
and  serve  God. 

85  For  behold,  if  Adam  had  put  forth  his  hand  immedi- 
ately, and  partook  of  the  tree  of  life,  he  would  have  lived  for 
ever,  according  to  the  word  of  God,  having  no  space  for  re- 
pentance; 

86  Yea,  and  also  the  word  of  God  would  have  been  void, 
and  the  great  plan  of  salvation  would  have  been  frustrated. 


CHAP.  19.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  453 

87  But  behold  it  was  appointed  unto  man  to  die;  therefore 
as  they  were  cut  off  from  the  tiee  of  life,  they  should  be  cut 
off  from  the  face  of  the  earth;  and  man  became  lost  for  ever; 
yea,  they  became  fallen  man. 

88  And  now  we  see  by  this,  that  our  first  parents  were  cut 
off,  both  temporally  and  spiritually,  from  the  presence  of  the 
Lord;  and  thus  we  see  they  became  subjects  to  follow  after 
their  own  will. 

89  Now  behold,  it  was  not  expedient  that  man  should  be 
reclaimed  from  this  temporal  death,  for  that  would  destroy 
the  great  plan  of  happiness; 

90  Therefore,  as  the  soul  could  never  die,  and  the  fall  had 
brought  upon  all  mankind  a  spiritual  death  as  well  as  a 
temporal;  that  is,  they  were  cut  off  from  the  presence  of  the 
Lord;  therefore  it  was  expedient  that  mankind  should  be  re- 
claimed from  this  spiritual  death; 

91  Therefore  as  they  had  been  carnal,  sensual  and  devil- 
ish, by  nature,  this  probationary  state  became  a  state  for 
them  to  prepare;  it  became  a  preparatory  state. 

92  And  now  remember,  my  son,  if  it  were  not  for  the  plan 
of  redemption,  (laying  it  aside,)  as  soon  as  they  were  dead, 
their  souls  were  miserable,  being  cut  off  from  the  presence  of 
the  Lord. 

93  And  now  there  was  no  means  to  reclaim  men  from  this 
fallen  state  which  man  had  brought  upon  himself,  because  of 
his  own  disobedience; 

94  Therefore,  according  to  justice,  the  plan  of  redemption 
could  not  be  brought  about,  only,  on  conditions  of  repentance 
of  men  in  this  probationary  state;  yea,  this  preparatory 
state;  for  except  it  were  for  these  conditions,  mercy  could  not 
take  effect  except  it  should  destroy  the  v/ork  of  justice. 

95  Now  the  work  of  justice  could  not  be  destroyed:  if  so 
God  would  cease  to  be  God. 

96  And  thus  we  see  that  all  m-ankind  were  fallen,  and  they 
were  in  the  grasp  of  justice;  yea,  the  justice  of  God,  which 
consigned  them  for  ever  to  be  cut  off  from  his  presence. 

97  And  now  the  plan  of  mercy  could  not  be  brought  about, 
except  an  atonement  should  be  made;  therefore  God  himself 


454  BOOK    OF    ALMA..  [chap.  19. 

atoneth  for  the  sins  of  the  world,  to  bring  about  the  plan  of 
mercy,  to  appease  the  demands  of  justice,  that  God  might  be 
a  perfect,  just  God,  and  a  merciful  God  also. 

98  Now  repentance  could  not  come  unto  men,  except  there 
were  a  punishment,  which  also  was  as  eternal  as  the  life  of 
the  soul  should  be,  affixed  opposite  to  the  plan  of  happiness, 
which  was  as  eternal  also  as  the  life  of  the  soul. 

99  Now,  how  could  a  man  repent,  except  he  should  sin? 
How  could  he  sin,  if  there  was  no  law?  How  could  there  be 
a  law,  save  there  was  a  punishment? 

100  Now  there  was  a  punishment  affixed,  and  a  just  law 
given,  which  brought  remorse  of  conscience  unto  man. 

101  Now  if  there  was  no  law  given,  if  a  man  murdered  he 
should  die,  would  he  be  afraid  he  should  die  if  he  should 
murder? 

102  And  also,  if  there  was  no  law  given  against  sin,  men 
would  not  be  afraid  to  sin. 

103  And  if  there  was  no  law  given  if  men  sinned,  what 
could  justice  do,  or  mercy  either:  for  they  would  have  no 
claim  upon  the  creature. 

104  But  there  is  a  law  given  and  a  punishment  affixed,  and 
repentance  granted ;  which  repentance,  mercy  claimeth :  other- 
wise, justice  claimeth  the  creature,  and  executeth  the  law, 
and  the  law  inflicteth  the  punishment;  if  not  so,  the  works  of 
justice  would  be  destroyed,  and  God  would  cease  to  be  God. 

105  But  God  ceaseth  not  to  be  God,  and  mercy  claimeth  the 
penitent,  and  mercy  cometh  because  of  the  atonement;  and 
the  atonement  bringeth  to  pass  the  resurrection  of  the  dead: 
and  the  resurrection  of  the  dead  bringeth  back  men  into  the 
presence  of  God; 

106  And  thus  they  are  restored  into  his  presence;  to  be 
judged  according  to  their  works;  according  to  the  law  and 
justice;  for  behold,  justice  exerciseth  all  his  demands,  and 
also  mercy  claimeth  all  which  is  her  own;  and  thus,  none  but 
the  truly  penitent  are  saved. 

107  What,  do  ye  suppose  that  mercy  can  rob  justice?  I 
say  unto  you,  Nay;  not  one  whit.  If  so,  God  would  cease  to 
be  God. 


CHAP.  20.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  455 

108  And  thus  God  bringeth  about  his  great  and  eternal 
purposes,  which  were  prepared  from  the  foundation  of  the 
world. 

109  And  thus  cometh  about  the  salvation  and  redemption 
of  men,  and  also  their  destruction  and  misery;  therefore,  O 
my  son,  whosoever  will  come,  may  come,  and  partake  of  the 
waters  of  life  freely; 

110  And  whosoever  will  not  come,  the  same  is  not  compelled 
to  come;  but  in  the  last  day  it  shall  be  restored  unto  him,  ac- 
cording to  his  deeds. 

111  If  he  has  desired  to  do  evil,  and  has  not  repented  in 
his  days,  behold  evil  shall  be  done  unto  him,  according  to  the 
restoration  of  God. 

112  And  now,  my  son,  I  desire  that  ye  should  let  these 
things  trouble  you  no  more,  and  only  let  your  sins  trouble 
you,  with  that  trouble  which  shall  bring  you  down  unto  re- 
pentance. 

113  O  my  son,  I  desire  that  ye  should  deny  the  justice  of 
God  no  more. 

114  Do  not  endeavor  to  excuse  yourself  in  the  least  point, 
because  of  your  sins,  by  denying  the  justice  of  God,. but  do 
you  let  the  justice  of  God,  and  his  mercy,  and  his  long  suffer- 
ing, have  full  sway  in  your  heart;  but  let  it  bring  you  down 
to  the  dust  in  humility. 

115  And  now,  O  my  son,  ye  are  called  of  God  to  preach 
the  word  unto  this  people. 

116  And  now,  my  son,  go  thy  way,  declare  the  word  with 
truth  and  soberness,  that  thou  mayest  bring  souls  unto  re- 
pentance, that  the  great  plan  of  mercy  may  have  claim  upon 
them. 

117  And  may  God  grant  unto  you  even  according  to  my 
words.     Amen. 


CHAPTER  20. 

1  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass,  that  the  sons  of  Alma  did  go 
forth  among  the  people,  to  declare  the  word  unto  them.  And 
Alma  also,  himself,  could  not  rest,  and  he  also  went  forth. 


456  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  20. 

2  Now  we  shall  say  no  more  concerning  their  preaching, 
except  that  they  preached  the  word,  and  the  truth,  according 
to  the  spirit  of  prophecy  and  revelation:  and  they  preached 
after  the  holy  order  of  God,  by  which  they  were  called. 

3  ^And  now  I  return  to  an  account  of  the  wars  between 
the  Nephites  and  the  Lamanites,  in  the  eighteenth  year  of 
the  reign  of  the  Judges. 

4  For  behold,  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Zoramites  became 
Lamanites;  therefore  in  the  commencement  of  the  eighteenth 
year,  the  people  of  the  Nephites  saw  that  the  Lamanites  were 
coming  upon  them;  therefore  they  made  preparations  for 
war;  yea,  they  gathered  together  their  armies  in  the  land  of 
Jershon. 

5  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lamanites  came  with  their 
thousands;  and  they  came  into  the  land  of  Antionum,  which 
was  the  land  of  the  Zoramites;  and  a  man  by  the  name  of 
Zerahemnah  was  their  leader. 

6  And  now  as  the  Amalekites  were  of  a  more  wicked  and 
murderous  disposition  than  the  Lamanites  were,  in  and  of 
themselves,  therefore  Zerahemnah  appointed  chief  captains 
over  the  Lamanites,  and  they  were  all  the  Amalekites  and  the 
Zoramites. 

7  Now  this  he  did,  that  he  might  preserve  their  hatred  to- 
wards the  Nephites;  that  he  might  bring  them  into  subjection, 
to  the  accomplishment  of  his  designs; 

8  For  behold,  his  designs  were  to  stir  up  the  Lamanites  to 
anger  against  the  Nephites;  this  he  did  that  he  might  usurp 
great  power  over  them;  and  also  that  he  might  gain  power 
over  the  Nephites  by  bringing  them  into  bondage,  etc. 

9  And  now  the  design  of  the  Nephites  was  to  support  their 
lands,  and  their  houses,  and  their  wives  and  their  children, 
that  they  might  preserve  them  from  the  hands  of  their  ene- 
mies, and  also  that  they  might  preserve  their  rights  and  their 
privileges ; 

10  Yea,  and  also  their  liberty,  that  they  might  worship  God 
according  to  their  desires;  for  they  knew  that  if  they  should 
fall  into  the  hands  of  the  Lamanites,  that  whosoever  should 


CHAP.  20.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  457 

worship  God,  in  spirit  and  in  truth,  the  true  and  the  living 
God,  the  Lamanites  would  destroy; 

11  Yea,  and  they  also  knew  the  extreme  hatred  of  the  La- 
manites towards  their  brethren,  who  were  the  people  of  Anti- 
Nephi-Lehi;  who  were  called  the  people  of  Ammon; 

12  And  they  v/ould  not  take  up  arms ;  yea,  they  had  entered 
into  a  covenant,  and  they  would  not  break  it;  therefore  if  they 
should  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  Lamanites,  they  would  be 
destroyed. 

13  And  the  Nephites  would  not  suffer  that  they  should  be 
destroyed;  therefore  they  gave  them  lands  for  their  inherit- 
ance. 

14  And  the  people  of  Ammon  did  give  unto  the  Nephites  a 
large  portion  of  their  substance,  to  support  their  armies ; 

15  And  thus  the  Nephites  were  compelled,  alone,  to  with- 
stand against  the  Lamanites,  who  were  a  compound  of  Laman 
and  Lemuel,  and  the  sons  of  Ishmael,  and  all  those  who  had 
dissented  from  the  Nephites,  who  were  Amalekites,  and  Zo- 
ramites,  and  the  descendants  of  the  priests  of  Noah. 

16  Now  those  descendants  were  as  numerous,  nearly,  as 
were  the  Nephites;  and  thus  the  Nephites  were  obliged  to 
contend  with  their  brethren,  even  unto  bloodshed. 

17  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  as  the  armies  of  the  Lamanites 
had  gathered  together  in  the  land  of  Antionum,  behold  the 
armies  of  the  Nephites  were  prepared  to  meet  them  in  the 
land  of  Jershon. 

18  Now  the  leader  of  the  Nephites,  or  the  man  who  had 
been  appointed  to  be  the  chief  captain  over  the  Nephites: 
now  the  chief  captain  took  the  command  of  all  the  armies  of 
the  Nephites:  and  his  name  was  Moroni; 

19  And  Moroni  took  all  the  command,  and  the  governments 
of  their  wars.  And  he  was  only  twenty  and  five  years  old 
when  he  was  appointed  chief  captain  over  the  armies  of  the 
Nephites. 

20  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  met  the  Lamanites  in  the 
borders  of  Jershon,  and  his  people  were  armed  with  swords, 
and  with  cim_eters,  and  all  manner  of  weapons  of  war. 

21  And  when  the  armies  of  the  Lamanites  saw  that  the 


458  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  20. 

people  of  Nephi,  or  that  Moroni  had  prepared  his  people  with 
breastplates,  and  with  arm-shields;  yea,  and  also  shields  to 
defend  their  heads;  and  also  they  were  dressed  with  thick 
clothing. 

22  Now  the  army  of  Zerahemnah  was  not  prepared  with 
any  such  thing. 

23  They  had  only  their  swords,  and  their  cimeters,  their 
bows  and  their  arrows,  their  stones  and  their  slings;  but  they 
were  naked,  save  it  were  a  skin  which  was  girded  about  their 
loins;  yea,  all  were  naked,  save  it  were  the  Zoramites  and  the 
Amalekites. 

24  But  they  were  not  armed  with  breastplates,  nor  shields; 
therefore  they  were  exceeding  afraid  of  the  armies  of  the 
Nephites,  because  of  their  armor,  notwithstanding  their  num- 
ber being  so  much  greater  than  the  Nephites. 

25  IJBehold,  now  it  came  to  pass,  that  they  durst  not  come 
against  the  Nephites  in  the  borders  of  Jershon;  therefore  they 
departed  out  of  the  land  of  Antionum,  into  the  wilderness, 
and  took  their  journey  round  about  in  the  wilderness,  away 
by  the  head  of  the  river  Sidon,  that  they  might  come  into  the 
land  of  Manti,  and  take  possession  of  the  land;  for  they  did 
not  suppose  that  the  armies  of  Moroni  would  know  whither 
they  had  gone. 

26  But  it  came  to  pass,  as  soon  as  they  had  departed  into 
the  wilderness,  Moroni  sent  spies  into  the  wilderness,  to  watch 
their  camp;  and  Moroni,  also,  knowing  of  the  prophecies  of 
Alma,  sent  certain  men  unto  him,  desiring  him  that  he  should 
inquire  of  the  Lord  whither  the  armies  of  the  Nephites  should 
go,  to  defend  themselves  against  the  Lamanites. 

27  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  word  of  the  Lord  came 
unto  Alma,  and  Alma  informed  the  messenger  of  Moroni  that 
the  armies  of  the  Lamanites  were  marching  round  about  in 
the  wilderness,  that  they  might  come  over  into  the  land  of 
Manti,  that  they  might  commence  an  attack  upon  the  more 
weak  part  of  the  people. 

28  And  those  messengers  went  and  delivered  the  message 
unto  Moroni. 

29  IJNow  Moroni,  leaving  a  part  of  his  army  in  the  land 


CHAP.  20.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  459 

of  Jershon,  lest  by  any  means,  a  part  of  the  Lamanites  should 
come  into  that  land  and  take  possession  of  the  city,  took  the 
remainder  part  of  his  army  and  marched  over  into  the  land  of 
Manti. 

30  And  he  caused  that  all  the  people  in  that  quarter  of  the 
land,  should  gather  themselves  together  to  battle,  against  the 
Lamanites,  to  defend  their  lands  and  their  country,  their 
rights  and  their  liberties;  therefore  they  were  prepared 
against  the  time  of  the  coming  of  the  Lamanites. 

31  And  it  came  to  pass,  that  Moroni  caused  that  his  army 
should  be  secreted  in  the  valley  which  was  near  the  bank  of 
the  river  Sidon,  which  was  on  the  west  of  the  river  Sidon,  in 
the  wilderness. 

32  And  Moroni  placed  spies  round  about,  that  he  might 
know  when  the  camp  of  the  Lamanites  should  come. 

33  ^And  now  as  Moroni  knew  the  intention  of  the  Laman- 
ites, that  it  was  their  intention  to  destroy  their  brethren,  or 
to  subject  them  and  bring  them  into  bondage,  that  they  might 
establish  a  kingdom  unto  themselves,  over  all  the  land; 

34  And  he  also  knowing  that  it  was  the  only  desire  of  the 
Nephites  to  preserve  their  lands,  their  liberty,  and  their 
church,  therefore  he  thought  it  no  sin  that  he  should  defend 
them  by  stratagem;  therefore  he  found,  by  his  spies,  which 
course  the  Lamanites  were  to  take. 

35  Therefore  he  divided  his  army,  and  brought  a  part  over 
into  the  valley,  and  concealed  them  on  the  east,  and  on  the 
south  of  the  hill  Riplah;  and  the  remainder  he  concealed  in 
the  west  valley,  on  the  west  of  the  river  Sidon,  and  so  down 
into  the  borders  of  the  land  Manti. 

36  And  thus  having  placed  his  army  according  to  his  de- 
sire, he  was  prepared  to  meet  them. 

37  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lamanites  came  up  on 
the  north  of  the  hill  where  a  part  of  the  army  of  Moroni  was 
concealed. 

38  And  as  the  Lamanites  had  passed  the  hill  Riplah,  and 
come  into  the  valley,  and  began  to  cross  the  river  Sidon,  the 
army  which  was  concealed  on  the  south  of  the  hill,  which  was 
led  by  a  man  whose  name  was  Lehi;  and  he  led  his  army 


460  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  20^ 

forth  and  encircled  the  Lamanites  about,  on  the  east  in  their 
rear. 

39  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lamanites,  when  they 
saw  the  Nephites  coming  upoji  them  in  their  rear,  turned 
them  about,  and  began  to  contend  with  the  army  of  Lehi;  and 
the  work  of  death  commenced,  on  both  sides; 

40  But  it  was  more  dreadful  on  the  part  of  the  Lamanites; 
for  their  nakedness  was  exposed  to  the  heavy  blows  of  the 
Nephites,  with  their  swords  and  their  cimeters,  v;hich  brought 
death  almost  at  every  stroke;  while  on  the  other  hand,  there 
was  now  and  then  a  man  fell  among  the  Nephites,  by  their 
swords  and  the  loss  of  blood; 

41  They  being  shielded  from  the  more  vital  parts  of  the 
body,  or  the  more  vital  parts  of  the  body  being  shielded  from 
the  strokes  of  the  Lamanites,  by  their  breastplates,  and  their 
arm-shields,  and  their  head-plates;  and  thus  the  Nephites  did 
carry  on  the  work  of  death  among  the  Lamanites. 

42  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lamanites  became  fright- 
ened, because  of  the  great  destruction  among  them,  even  until 
they  began  to  flee  towards  the  river  Sidon. 

43  And  they  were  pursued  by  Lehi  and  his  men,  and  they 
were  driven  by  Lehi  into  the  waters  of  Sidon;  and  they 
crossed  the  waters  of  Sidon. 

44  And  Lehi  retained  his  armies  upon  the  bank  of  the  river 
Sidon,  that  they  should  not  cross. 

45  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  Moroni  and  his  army  met  the 
Lamanites  in  the  valley,  on  the  other  side  of  the  river  Sidon, 
and  began  to  fall  upon  them,  and  to  slay  them. 

46  And  the  Lamanites  did  flee  again  before  them,  towards 
the  land  of  Manti;  and  they  were  met  again  by  the  armies  of 
Moroni. 

47  Now  in  this  case,  the  Lamanites  did  fight  exceedingly; 
yea,  never  had  the  Lamanites  been  known  to  fight  with  such 
exceeding  great  strength  and  courage;  no,  not  even  from  the 
beginning : 

48  And  they  were  inspired  by  the  Zoramites,  and  the 
Amalekites,  who  were  their  chief  captains  and  leaders,  and 


CHAP.  20.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  461 

by  Zerahemnah,  who  was  their  chief  captain,  or  their  chief 
leader  and  commander; 

49  Yea,  they  did  fight  like  dragons;  and  many  of  the  Ne- 
phites  were  slain  by  their  hands;  yea,  for  they  did  smite  in 
two  many  of  their  head-plates;  and  they  did  pierce  many  of 
their  breastplates;  and  they  did  smite  off  many  of  their  arms; 
and  thus  the  Lamanites  did  smite  in  their  fierce  anger. 

50  Nevertheless,  the  Nephites  were  inspired  by  a  better 
cause;  for  they  were  not  fighting  for  monarchy  nor  power; 
but  they  were  fighting  for  their  homes,  and  their  liberties, 
their  wives,  and  their  children,  and  their  all;  yea,  for  their 
rites  of  worship,  and  their  church; 

51  And  they  were  doing  that  which  they  felt  was  the  duty 
which  they  owed  to  their  God;  for  the  Lord  had  said  unto 
them,  and  also  unto  their  fathers.  That  inasmuch  as  ye  are 
not  guilty  of  the  first  offense,  neither  the  second,  ye  shall  not 
suffer  yourselves  to  be  slain  by  the  hands  of  your  enemies. 

52  And  again,  the  Lord  has  said  that  ye  shall  defend  your 
families,  even  unto  bloodshed;  therefore  for  this  cause  were 
the  Nephites  contending  with  the  Lamanites,  to  defend  them- 
selves, and  their  families,  and  their  lands,  their  country,  and 
their  rights,  and  their  religion. 

53  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  the  men  of  Moroni  saw 
the  fierceness  and  the  anger  of  the  Lamanites,  they  were 
about  to  shrink  and  flee  from  them. 

.  54  And  Moroni,  perceiving  their  intent,  sent  forth  and  in- 
spired their  hearts,  with  these  thoughts;  yea,  the  thoughts  of 
their  lands,  their  liberty,  yea,  their  freedom  from  bondage. 

55  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  turned  upon  the  Laman- 
ites, and  they  cried  with  one  voice  unto  the  Lord  their  God, 
for  their  liberty,  and  their  freedom  from  bondage. 

56  And  they  began  to  stand  against  the  Lamanites  with 
power;  and  in  the  selfsame  hour  that  they  cried  unto  the 
Lord  for  their  freedom,  the  Lamanites  began  to  flee  before 
them;  and  they  fled  even  to  the  waters  of  Sidon. 

57  Now  the  Lamanites  were  more  numerous;  yea,  by  more 
than  double  the  number  of  the  Nephites;  nevertheless,  they 


462  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.   20. 

were  driven  insomuch  that  they  were  gathered  together  in 
one  body,  in  the  valley,  upon  the  bank,  by  the  river  Sidon; 

58  Therefore  the  armies  of  Moroni  encircled  them  about; 
yea,  even  on  both  sides  of  the  river;  for  behold,  on  the  east, 
were  the  men  of  Lehi; 

59  Therefore  when  Zerahemnah  saw  the  men  of  Lehi  on 
the  east  of  the  river  Sidon,  and  the  armies  of  Moroni  on  the 
west  of  the  river  Sidon,  that  they  were  encircled  about  by  the 
Nephites,  they  were  struck  with  terror. 

60  Now  Moroni,  when  he  saw  their  terror,  commanded  his 
men  that  they  should  stop  shedding  their  blood. 

61  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  stop,  and  withdrew 
a  pace  from  them. 

62  And  Moroni  said  unto  Zerahemnah,  Behold,  Zerahem- 
nah, that  we  do  not  desire  to  be  men  of  blood. 

63  Ye  know  that  ye  are  in  our  hands,  yet  we  do  not  desire 
to  slay  you. 

64  Behold,  we  have  not  come  out  to  battle  against  you, 
that  we  might  shed  your  blood,  for  power;  neither  do  we  de- 
sire to  bring  any  one  to  the  yoke  of  bondage. 

65  But  this  is  the  very  cause  for  which  ye  have  come 
against  us;  yea,  and  ye  are  angry  with  us  because  of  our 
religion. 

66  But  now  ye  behold  that  the  Lord  is  with  us;  and  ye 
behold  that  he  has  delivered  you  into  our  hands. 

67  And  now  I  would  that  ye  should  understand  that  this  is 
done  unto  us  because  of  our  religion  and  our  faith  in  Christ. 
And  now  ye  see  that  ye  can  not  destroy  this  our  faith. 

68  Now  ye  see  that  this  is  the  true  faith  of  God;  yea,  ye 
see  that  God  will  support,  and  keep,  and  preserve  us,  so  long 
as  we  are  faithful  unto  him,  and  unto  our  faith,  and  our 
religion ; 

69  And  never  will  the  Lord  suffer  that  we  shall  be  de- 
stroyed, except  we  should  fall  into  transgression,  and  deny 
our  faith. 

70  And  now,  Zerahemnah,  I  command  you,  in  the  name  of 
that  all-powerful  God,  who  has  strengthened  our  arms,  that 
we  have  gained  power  over  you  by  our  faith,  by  our  religion, 


CHAP.  20.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  463 

and  by  our  rites  of  worship,  and  by  our  church,  and  by  the 
sacred  support  which  we  owe  to  our  wives  and  our  children, 
by  that  liberty  which  binds  us  to  our  lands  and  our  country; 
yea,  and  also  by  the  maintenance  of  the  sacred  word  of  God, 
to  which  we  owe  all  our  happiness; 

71  And  by  all  that  is  most  dear  unto  us;  yea,  and  this  is 
not  all;  I  command  you  by  all  the  desires  which  ye  have  for 
life,  that  ye  deliver  up  your  weapons  of  war  unto  us,  and  we 
will  seek  not  your  blood,  but  we  will  spare  your  lives,  if  ye 
will  go  your  way,  and  come  not  again  to  war  against  us. 

72  And  now  if  ye  do  not  this,  behold,  ye  are  in  our  hands, 
and  I  will  command  my  men  that  they  shall  fall  upon  you, 
and  inflict  thfl  wounds  of  death  in  your  bodies,  that  ye  may 
become  extinct; 

73  And  then  we  will  see  who  shall  have  power  over  this 
people;  yea,  we  shall  see  who  will  be  brought  into  bondage. 

74  TIAnd  now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Zerahemnah  had 
heard  these  sayings,  he  came  forth  and  delivered  up  his  sword 
and  his  cimeter,  and  his  bow  into  the  hands  of  Moroni,  and 
said  unto  him, 

75  Behold,  here  are  our  weapons  of  war;  we  will  deliver 
them  up  unto  you,  and  we  will  not  suffer  ourselves  to  take  an 
oath  unto  you,  which  we  know  that  we  shall  break,  and  also 
our  children;  but  take  our  weapons  of  war,  and  suffer  that 
we  may  depart  into  the  wilderness;  otherwise  we  will  retain 
our  swords,  and  we  will  perish  or  conquer. 

76  Behold,  we  are  not  of  your  faith;  we  do  not  believe 
that  it  is  God  that  has  delivered  us  into  your  hands;  but  we 
believe  that  it  is  your  cunning  that  has  preserved  you  from 
our  swords. 

77  Behold,  it  is  your  breastplates  and  your  shields  that 
have  preserved  you. 

78  And  now  when  Zerahemnah  had  made  an  end  of  speak- 
ing these  words,  Moroni  returned  the  sword,  and  the  weapons 
of  war  which  he  had  received,  unto  Zerahemnah,  saying.  Be- 
hold, we  will  end  the  conflict. 

79  Now  I  can  not  retain  the  words  which  I  have  spoken; 
therefore  as  the  Lord  liveth,  ye  shall  not  depart,  except  ye 


464  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  20. 

depart  with  an  oath,  that  ye  will  not  return  again  against 
us  to  war. 

80  Now  as  ye  are  in  our  hands,  we  will  spill  your  blood 
upon  the  ground,  or  ye  shall  submit  to  the  conditions  to  which 
I  have  proposed. 

81  And  now  when  Moroni  had  said  these  words,  Zerahem- 
nah  retained  his  sword,  and  he  was  angry  with  Moroni  and  he 
rushed  forward  that  he  might  slay  Moroni; 

82  But  as  he  raised  his  sword,  behold,  one  of  Moroni's  sol- 
diers smote  it  even  to  the  earth;  and  it  broke  by  the  hilt; 
and  he  also  smote  Zerahemnah,  that  he  took  off  his  scalp, 
and  it  fell  to  the  earth. 

83  And  Zerahemnah  withdrew  from  before  them,  into  the 
midst  of  his  soldiers. 

84  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  soldier  who  stood  by,  who 
smote  off  the  scalp  of  Zerahemnah,  took  up  the  scalp  from 
off  the  ground,  by  the  hair,  and  laid  it  upon  the  point  of  his 
sword,  and  he  stretched  it  forth  unto  them,  saying  unto  them 
with  a  loud  voice, 

85  Even  as  this  scalp  has  fallen  to  the  earth,  which  is  the 
scalp  of  your  chief,  so  shall  ye  fall  to  the  earth,  except  ye 
will  deliver  up  your  weapons  of  war,  and  depart,  with  a  cove- 
nant of  peace. 

86  ^Now  there  were  many,  when  they  heard  these  words, 
and  saw  the  scalp  which  was  upon  the  sword,  that  were 
struck  with  fear,  and  many  came  forth  and  threw  down  their 
weapons  of  war,  at  the  feet  of  Moroni,  and  entered  into  a 
covenant  of  peace. 

87  And  as  many  as  entered  into  a  covenant,  they  suffered 
to  depart  into  the  wilderness. 

88  IJNow  it  came  to  pass  that  Zerahemnah  was  exceeding 
wroth,  and  he  did  stir  up  the  remainder  of  his  soldiers  to 
anger,  to  contend  more  powerfully  against  the  Nephites. 

89  And  now  Moroni  was  angry,  because  of  the  stubborn- 
ness of  the  Lamanites;  therefore  he  commanded  his  people 
that  they  should  fall  upon  them  and  slay  them. 

90  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  began  to  slay  them:  yea, 


t 

CHAP.   21.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  465 

and  the  Lamanites  did  contend  with  their  swords  and  their 
mights. 

91  But  behold,  their  naked  skins,  and  their  bare  heads, 
were  exposed  to  the  sharp  swords  of  the  Nephites;  yea,  be- 
hold, they  were  pierced  and  smitten; 

92  Yea,  and  did  fall  exceeding  fast  before  the  swords  of 
the  Nephites;  and  they  began  to  be  swept  down,  even  as  the 
soldier  of  Moroni  had  prophesied. 

93  Now  Zerahemnah,  when  he  saw  that  they  were  all  about 
to  be  destroyed,  cried  mightily  unto  Moroni,  promising  that 
he  would  covenant,  and  also  his  people,  with  them,  if  they 
would  spare  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  that  they  never 
would  come  to  war  against  them. 

94  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Moroni  caused  that  the  work 
of  death  should  cease  again  among  the  people. 

95  And  he  took  the  weapons  of  war  from  the  Lamanites; 
and  after  they  had  entered  into  a  covenant  with  him  of  peace, 
they  were  suffered  to  depart  into  the  wilderness. 

96  Now  the  numjber  of  their  dead  were  not  numbered,  be- 
cause of  the  greatness  of  the  number;  yea,  the  number  of 
their  dead  were  exceeding  great,  both  on  the  Nephites,  and 
on  the  Lamanites. 

97  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  cast  their  dead  into 
the  waters  of  Sidon ;  and  they  have  gone  forth,  and  are  buried 
in  the  depths  of  the  sea. 

98  And  the  armies  of  the  Nephites,  or  of  Moroni,  returned, 
and  came  to  their  houses,  and  their  lands. 

99  And  thus  ended  the  eighteenth  year  of  the  reign  of  the 
Judges  over  the  people  of  Nephi. 

100  And  thus  ended  the  record  of  Alma,  which  was  writ- 
ten upon  the  plates  of  Nephi. 


CHAPTER  21. 

The  account  of  the  people  of  Nephi,  and  their  wars  and  dis- 
sensions, in  the  days  of  Helaman,  according  to  the  record 
of  Helaman,  which  he  kept  in  his  days. 
1  ^Behold,  now  it  came  to  pass  that  the  people  of  Nephi 


466  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.    21. 

were  exceedingly  rejoiced,  because  the  Lord  had  again  de- 
livered them  out  of  the  hands  of  their  enemies; 

2  Therefore  they  gave  thanks  unto  the  Lord  their  God: 
yea,  and  they  did  fast  much  and  pray  much,  and  they  did 
worship  God  with  exceeding  great  joy. 

3  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  in  the  nineteenth  year  of  the  reign 
of  the  Judges  over  the  people  of  Nephi,  that  Alma  came  unto 
his  son  Helaman,  and  said  unto  him,  Believest  thou  the  words 
which  I  spake  unto  thee  concerning  those  records  which  have 
been  kept? 

4  And  Helaman  said  unto  him,  Yea,  I  believe. 

5  And  Alma  said  again,  Believest  thou  in  Jesus  Christ, 
who  shall  come?  And  he  said,  Yea,  I  believe  all  the  words 
which  thou  hast  spoken. 

6  And  Alma  said  unto  him  again,  Will  ye  keep  my  com- 
mandments? And  he  said.  Yea,  I  will  keep  thy  command- 
ments with  all  my  heart. 

7  Then  Alma  said  unto  him.  Blessed  art  thou :  and  the  Lord 
shall  prosper  thee  in  this  land. 

8  But  behold,  I  have  somewhat  to  prophesy  unto  thee;  but 
what  I  prophesy  unto  thee,  ye  shall  not  make  known;  yea, 
what  I  prophesy  unto  thee  shall  not  be  made  known,  even 
until  the  prophecy  is  fulfilled ;  therefore  write  the  words  which 
I  shall  say. 

9  And  these  are  the  words:  Behold,  I  perceive  that  this 
very  people,  the  Nephites,  according  to  the  spirit  of  revela- 
tion which  is  in  me,  in  four  hundred  years  from  the  time  that 
Jesus  Christ  shall  manifest  himself  unto  them,  shall  dwindle 
in  unbelief; 

10  Yea,  and  then  shall  they  see  wars  and  pestilences,  yea, 
famines  and  bloodshed,  even  until  the  people  of  Nephi  shall 
become  extinct; 

11  Yea,  and  this  because  they  shall  dwindle  in  unbelief,  and 
fall  into  the  works  of  darkness  and  lasciviousness,  and  all 
manner  of  iniquities; 

12  Yea,  I  say  unto  you,  that  because  they  shall  sin  against 
so  great  light  and  knowledge;  yea,  I  say  unto  you,  that  from 


CHAP.   21.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  467 

that  day,  even  the  fourth  generation  shall  not  all  pass  away, 
before  this  great  iniquity  shall  come; 

13  And  when  that  great  day  cometh,  behold,  the  time  very 
soon  cometh  that  those  who  are  now,  or  the  seed  of  those  who 
are  now  numbered  among  the  people  of  the  Nephites,  shall  no 
more  be  numbered  among  the  people  of  Nephi; 

14  But  whosoever  remaineth,  and  is  not  destroyed  in  that 
great  and  dreadful  day,  shall  be  numbered  among  the  La- 
manites,  and  shall  become  like  unto  them,  all,  save  it  be  a 
few,  who  shall  be  called  the  disciples  of  the  Lord; 

15  And  them  shall  the  Lamanites '  pursue,  even  until  they 
shall  become  extinct.  And  now,  because  of  iniquity,  this 
prophecy  shall  be  fulfilled. 

16  TJAnd  now  it  came  to  pass  that  after  Alma  had  said 
these  things  to  Helaman,  he  blessed  him,  and  also  his  other 
sons;  and  he  also  blessed  the  earth  for  the  righteous'  sake. 

17  And  he  said.  Thus  saith  the  Lord  God:  Cursed  shall  be 
the  land,  yea,  this  land,  unto  every  nation,  kindred,  tongue, 
and  people,  unto  destruction,  which  do  wickedly,  when  they 
are  fully  ripe; 

18  And  as  I  have  said,  so  shall  it  be :  for  this  is  the  cursing 
and  the  blessing  of  God  upon  the  land,  for  the  Lord  can  not 
look  upon  sin  with  the  least  degree  of  allowance. 

19  And,  now  when  Alma  had  said  these  words,  he  blessed 
the  church,  yea,  all  those  who  should  stand  fast  in  the  faith, 
from  that  time  henceforth; 

20  And  when  Alma  had  done  this,  he  departed  out  of  the 
land  of  Zarahemla,  as  if  to  go  into  the  land  of  Melek.  And 
it  came  to  pass  that  he  was  never  heard  of  more;  as  to  his 
death  or  burial,  we  know  not  of. 

21  Behold,  this  we  know,  that  he  was  a  righteous  man;  and 
the  saying  went  abroad  in  the  church,  that  he  was  taken  up 
by  the  Spirit,  or  buried  by  the  hand  of  the  Lord,  even  as 
Moses. 

22  But  behold,  the  scripture  saith  the  Lord  took  Moses  unto 
himself;  and  we  suppose  that  he  has  also  received  Alma  in 
the  spirit,  unto  himself;  therefore,  for  this  cause  we  know 
nothing  concerning  his  death  and  burial. 


468  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.    21. 

23  IJAnd  now  it  came  to  pass  in  the  commencement  of  the 
nineteenth  year  of  the  reign  of  the  Judges  over  the  people  of 
Nephi,  that  Helaman  went  forth  among  the  people  to  declare 
the  word  unto  them; 

24  For  behold,  because  of  their  wars  with  the  Lamanites, 
and  the  many  little  dissensions  and  disturbances,  which  had 
been  among  the  people,  it  became  expedient  that  the  word  of 
God  should  be  declared  among  them;  yea,  and  that  a  regula- 
tion should  be  made  throughout  the  church; 

25  Therefore  Helaman  and  his  brethren  went  forth  to  es- 
tablish the  church  again  in  all  the  land,  yea,  in  every  city 
throughout  all  the  land  which  was  possessed  by  the  people  of 
Nephi. 

26  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  appoint  priests  and 
teachers  throughout  all  the  land,  over  all  the  churches. 

27  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  after  Helaman  and  his 
brethren  had  appointed  priests  and  teachers  over  the  churches, 
that  there  arose  a  dissension  among  them,  and  they  would 
not  give  heed  to  the  words  of  Helaman  and  his  brethren; 

28  But  they  grew  proud,  being  lifted  up  in  their  hearts, 
because  of  their  exceeding  great  riches;  therefore  they  grew 
rich  in  their  own  eyes,  and  would  not  give  heed  to  their  words, 
to  walk  uprightly  before  God. 

29  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  as  many  as  would  not  hearken 
to  the  words  of  Helaman  and  his  brethren,  were  gathered  to- 
gether against  their  brethren. 

30  And  now  behold,  they  were  exceeding  wroth,  insomuch 
that  they  were  determined  to  slay  them. 

31  Now  the  leader  of  those  who  were  wroth  against  their 
brethren,  was  a  large  and  a  strong  man;  and  his  name  was 
Amalickiah. 

32  And  Amalickiah  was  desirous  to  be  a  king;  and  those 
people  who  were  wroth,  were  also  desirous  that  he  should  be 
their  king;  and  they  were  the  greater  part  of  them  the  lower 
judges  of  the  land;  and  they  were  seeking  for  power. 

33  And  they  had  been  led  by  the  flatteries  of  Amalickiah, 
that  if  they  would  support  him,  and  establish  him  to  be  their 
king,  that  he  would  make  them  rulers  over  the  people. 


CHAP.   21.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  469 

34  Thus  they  were  led  away  by  Amalickiah,  to  dissensions, 
notwithstanding  the  preaching  of  Helaman  and  his  brethren; 
yea,  notwithstanding  their  exceeding  great  care  over  the 
church,  for  they  were  high  priests  over  the  church. 

35  And  there  were  many  in  the  church  who  believed  in  the 
flattering  words  of  Amalickiah,  therefore  they  dissented  even 
from  the  church; 

36  And  thus  were  the  affairs  of  the  people  of  Nephi  ex- 
ceeding precarious  and  dangerous,  notwithstanding  their 
great  victory  which  they  had  had  over  the  Lamanites,  and 
their  great  rejoicings  which  they  had  had,  because  of  their 
deliverance  by  the  hands  of  the  Lord. 

37  Thus  we  see  how  quick  the  children  of  men  do  forget 
the  Lord  their  God;  yea,  how  quick  to  do  iniquity,  and  to  be 
led  away  by  the  evil  one;  yea,  and  we  also  see  the  great  wick- 
edness one  very  wicked  man  can  cause  to  take  place  among 
the  children  of  men; 

38  Yea,  we  see  that  Amalickiah,  because  he  was  a  man  of 
cunning  devices,  and  a  man  of  many  flattering  words,  that  he 
led  away  the  hearts  of  many  people  to  do  wickedly; 

39  Yea,  and  to  seek  to  destroy  the  church  of  God,  and  to 
destroy  the  foundation  of  liberty  which  God  had  granted  unto 
them,  or  which  blessing  God  had  sent  upon  the  face  of  the 
land,  for  the  righteous'  sake. 

40  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Moroni,  who  was 
the  chief  commander  of  the  armies  of  the  Nephites,  had  heard 
of  these  dissensions,  he  was  angry  with  Amalickiah. 

41  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  rent  his  coat;  and  he  took 
a  piece  thereof,  and  wrote  upon  it.  In  memory  of  our  God,  our 
religion,  and  freedom,  and  our  peace,  our  wives,  and  our  chil- 
dren; and  he  fastened  it  upon  the  end  of  a  pole  thereof. 

42  And  he  fastened  on  his  head-plate,  and  his  breastplate, 
and  his  shields,  and  girded  on  his  armor  about  his  loins;  and 
he  took  the  pole,  which  had  on  the  end  thereof  his  rent  coat 
(and  he  called  it  the  title  of  liberty), 

43  And  he  bowed  himself  to  the  earth,  and  he  prayed 
mightily  unto  his  God  for  the  blessings  of  liberty  to  rest  upon 


470  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.   21. 

his  brethren  so  long  as  there  should  a  band  of  christians  re- 
main to  possess  the  land; 

44  For  thus  were  all  the  true  believers  of  Christ,  who  be- 
longed to  the  church  of  God,  called,  by  those  who  did  not 
belong  to  the  church;  and  those  who  did  belong  to  the  church, 
were  faithful; 

45  Yea,  all  those  who  were  true  believers  in  Christ,  took 
upon  them,  gladly,  the  name  of  Christ,  or  christians,  as  they 
were  called,  because  of  their  belief  in  Christ,  who  should 
come;  and  therefore,  at  this  time,  Moroni  prayed  that  the 
cause  of  the  christians,  and  the  freedom  of  the  land  might  be 
favored. 

46  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  he  had  poured  out  his 
soul  to  God,  he  gave  all  the  land  which  was  south  of  the  land 
Desolation:  yea,  and  in  fine,  all  the  land,  both  on  the  north 
and  south,  a  chosen  land,  and  the  land  of  liberty. 

47  And  he  said,  Surely  God  shall  not  suffer  that  we,  who 
are  despised  because  we  take  upon  us  the  name  of  Christ, 
shall  be  trodden  down  and  destroyed,  until  we  bring  it  upon 
us  by  our  own  transgressions. 

48  And  when  Moroni  had  said  these  words,  he  went  forth 
among  the  people,  waving  the  rent  of  his  garment  in  the  air, 
that  all  might  see  the  writing  which  he  had  written  upon  the 
rent,  and  crying  with  a  loud  voice,  saying, 

49  Behold,  whosoever  will  maintain  this  title  upon  the  land, 
let  them  come  forth  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord,  and  enter  into 
a  covenant  that  they  will  maintain  their  rights,  and  their  re- 
ligion, that  the  Lord  God  may  bless  them. 

50  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Moroni  had  proclaimed 
these  words,  behold,  the  people  came  running  together,  with 
their  armor  girded  about  their  loins,  rending  their  garments 
in  token,  or  as  a  covenant,  that  they  would  not  forsake  the 
Lord  their  God; 

51  Or,  in  other  words,  if  they  should  transgress  the  com- 
mandments of  God,  or  fall  into  transgression,  and  be  ashamed 
to  take  upon  them  the  name  of  Christ,  the  Lord  should  rend 
them  even  as  they  had  rent  their  garments. 

52  Now  this  was  the  covenant  which  they  made;  and  they 


CHAP.  21.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  471 

cast  their  garments  at  the  feet  of  Moroni,  saying,  We  cove- 
nant with  our  God,  that  we  shall  be  destroyed,  even  as  our 
brethren  in  the  land  northward,  if  we  shall  fall  into  trans- 
gression ; 

53  Yea,  he  may  cast  us  at  the  feet  of  our  enemies,  even  as 
we  have  cast  our  garments  at  thy  feet,  to  be  trodden  under 
foot,  if  we  shall  fall  into  transgression. 

54  Moroni  said  unto  them,  Behold,  we  are  a  remnant  of  the 
seed  of  Jacob;  yea,  we  are  a  remnant  of  the  seed  of  Joseph, 
whose  coat  was  rent  by  his  brethren,  into  many  pieces; 

55  Yea,  and  now  behold,  let  us  remember  to  keep  the  com- 
mandments of  God,  or  our  garments  shall  be  rent  by  our 
brethren,  and  we  be  cast  into  prison,  or  be  sold,  or  be  slain: 
yea,  let  us  preserve  our  liberty,  as  a  remnant  of  Joseph ; 

56  Yea,  let  us  remember  the  words  of  Jacob,  before  his 
death;  for  behold  he  saw  that  a  part  of  the  remnant  of  the 
coat  of  Joseph  was  preserved,  and  had  not  decayed. 

57  And  he  said.  Even  as  this  remnant  of  garment  of  my 
son's  hath  been  preserved,  so  shall  a  remnant  of  the  seed  of 
my  sons  be  preserved  by  the  hand  of  God,  and  be  taken  unto 
himself,  while  the  remainder  of  the  seed  of  Joseph  shall  per- 
ish, even  as  the  remnant  of  his  garment. 

58  Now  behold,  this  giveth  my  soul  sorrow:  nevertheless, 
my  soul  hath  joy  in  my  son,  because  that  part  of  his  seed 
which  shall  be  taken  unto  God. 

59  Now  behold,  this  was  the  language  of  Jacob. 

60  And  now  who  knoweth  but  what  the  remnant  of  the  seed 
of  Joseph,  which  shall  perish  as  his  garment,  are  those  who 
have  dissented  from  us;  yea,  and  even  it  shall  be  us,  if  we  do 
not  stand  fast  in  the  faith  of  Christ. 

61  TJAnd  now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Moroni  had  said 
these  words,  he  went  forth  and  also  sent  forth  in  all  the  parts 
of  the  land  where  there  were  dissensions,  and  gathered  to- 
gether all  the  people  who  were  desirous  to  maintain  their 
liberty,  to  stand  against  Amalickiah,  and  those  who  had  dis- 
sented, who  were  called  Amalickiahites. 

62  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Amalickiah  saw  that  the 
people  of  Moroni  were  more  numerous  than  the  Amalickiah- 


472  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.   21. 

ites;  and  he  also  saw  that  his  people  were  doubtful  concern- 
ing the  justice  of  the  cause  in  which  they  had  undertaken; 
therefore,  fearing  that  he  should  not  gain  the  point,  he  took 
those  of  his  people  who  would,  and  departed  into  the  land  of 
Nephi. 

63  ^Now  Moroni  thought  it  was  not  expedient  that  the  La- 
manites  should  have  any  more  strength;  therefore  he  thought 
to  cut  off  the  people  of  Amalickiah,  or  to  take  them  and  bring 
them  back,  and  put  Amalickiah  to  death; 

64  Yea,  for  he  knew  that  they  would  stir  up  the  Lamanites 
to  anger  against  them,  and  cause  them  to  come  to  battle 
against  them;  and  this  he  knew  that  Amalickiah  would  do, 
that  he  might  obtain  his  purposes: 

65  Therefore  Moroni  thought  it  was  expedient  that  he 
should  take  his  armies,  who  had  gathered  themselves  together, 
and  armed  themselves,  and  entered  into  a  covenant  to  keep  the 
peace: 

66  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  took  his  army,  and  marched 
out  into  the  wilderness,  to  cut  off  the  course  of  Amalickiah  in 
the  wilderness. 

67  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  did  according  to  his  de- 
sires, and  marched  forth  into  the  wilderness,  and  headed  the 
armies  of  Amalickiah. 

68  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Amalickiah  fled  with  a  small 
number  of  his  men,  and  the  remainder  were  delivered  up  into 
the  hands  of  Moroni,  and  were  taken  back  into  the  land  of 
Zarahemla. 

69  Now  Moroni  being  a  man  who  was  appointed  by  the 
chief  judges  and  the  voice  of  the  people,  therefore  he  had 
power  according  to  his  will,  with  the  armies  of  the  Nephites, 
to  establish  and  to  exercise  authority  over  them. 

70  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  whomsoever  of  the  Amalicki- 
ahites  that  would  not  ent'er  into  a  covenant  to  support  the 
cause  of  freedom,  that  they  might  maintain  a  free  govern- 
ment, he  caused  to  be  put  to  death;  and  there  was  but  few 
who  denied  the  covenant  of  freedom. 

71  ^And  it  came  to  pass  also,  that  he  caused  the  title  of 
liberty  to  be  hoisted  upon  every  tower  which  was  in  all  the 


CHAP.  21.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  473 

land,  which  was  possessed  by  the  Nephites;    and  thus  Moroni 
planted  the  standard  of  liberty  among  the  Nephites. 

72  And  they  began  to  have  peace  again  in  the  land;  and 
thus  they  did  maintain  peace  in  the  land,  until  nearly  the  end 
of  the  nineteenth  year  of  the  reign  of  the  Judges. 

73  And  Helaman  and  the  high  priests  did  also  maintain 
order  in  the  church ;  yea,  even  for  the  space  of  four  years,  did 
they  have  much  peace  and  rejoicing  in  the  church. 

74  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  there  were  many  who  died, 
firmly  believing  that  their  souls  were  redeemed  by  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ;    thus  they  went  out  of  the  world  rejoicing.. 

75  And  there  were  some  who  died  with  fevers,  which  at 
some  seasons  of  the  year  was  very  frequent  in  the  land; 

76  But  not  so  much  so  with  fevers,  because  of  the  excel- 
lent qualities  of  the  many  plants  and  roots  which  God  had 
prepared,  to  remove  the  cause  of  diseases  to  which  man  was 
subject  by  the  nature  of  the  climate. 

77  But  there  were  many  who  died  with  old  age;  and  those 
who  died  in  the  faith  of  Christ,  are  happy  in  him,  as  we  must 
nfeeds  suppose. 

78  Now  we  will  return  in  our  record,  to  Amalickiah  and 
those  who  had  fled  with  him  into  the  wilderness:  for  behold, 
he  had  taken  those  who  went  with  him,  and  went  up  into  the 
land  of  Nephi,  among  the  Lamanites,  and  did  stir  up  the  La- 
manites  to  anger  against  the  people  of  Nephi,  insomuch  that 
the  king  of  the  Lamanites,  sent  a  proclamation  throughout 
all  his  land,  among  all  his  people,  that  they  should  gather 
themselves  together  again,  to  go  to  battle  against  the  Ne- 
phites. 

79  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  when  the  proclamation  had 
gone  forth  among  them,  they  were  exceeding  fraid;  yea,  they 
feared  to  displease  the  king,  and  they  also  feared  to  go  to 
battle  against  the  Nephites,  lest  they  should  lose  their  lives. 

80  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  would  not,  or  the  more 
part  of  them,  would  not  obey  the  commandments  of  the  king. 

81  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  the  king  was  wroth,  be- 
cause of  their  disobedience;  therefore  he  gave  Amalickiah  the 
command  of  that  part  of  his  army  which  was  obedient  unto 


474  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.   21. 

his  commands,  and  commanded  him  that  he  should  go  forth 
and  compel  them  to  arms. 

82  Now  behold,  this  was  the  desire  of  Amalickiah:  for  he 
being  a  very  subtile  man  to  do  evil,  therefore  he  laid  the  plan 
in  his  heart  to  dethrone  the  king  of  the  Lamanites. 

83  And  now  he  had  got  the  command  of  those  parts  of  the 
Lamanites  who  were  in  favor,  of  the  king;  and  he  sought  to 
gain  favor  of  those  who  were  not  obedient; 

84  Therefore  he  went  forward  to  the  place  which  was  called 
Onidah,  for  thither  had  all  the  Lamanites  fled;  for  they  dis- 
covered the  army  coming,  and  supposing  that  they  were  com- 
ing to  destroy  them,  therefore  they  fled  to  Onidah,  to  the  place 
of  arms. 

85  And  they  had  appointed  a  man  to  be  a  king  and  a  leader 
over  them,  being  fixed  in  their  minds  with  a  determined  reso- 
lution that  they  would  not  be  subjected  to  go  against  the 
Nephites. 

86  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  had  gathered  themselves 
together  upon  the  top  of  the  mount  which  was  called  Antipas, 
in  preparation  to  battle. 

87  Now  it  was  not  Amalickiah's  intention  to  give  them  bat- 
tle, according  to  the  commandments  of  the  king;  but  behold, 
it  was  his  intention  to  gain  favor  with  the  armies  of  the  La- 
manites, that  he  might  place  himself  at  their  head,  and  de- 
throne the  king,  and  take  possession  of  the  kingdom. 

88  And  behold,  it  came  to  pass  that  he  caused  his  army  to 
pitch  their  tents  in  the  valley  which  was  near  the  mount  An- 
tipas. 

89  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  it  was  night,  he  sent  a 
secret  embassy  into  the  mount  Antipas,  desiring  that  the 
leader  of  those  who  were  upon  the  mount,  whose  name  was 
Lehonti,  that  he  should  come  down  to  the  foot  of  the  mount, 
for  he  desired  to  speak  with  him. 

90  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Lehonti  received  the 
message,  he  durst  not  go  down  to  the  foot  of  the  mount. 

91  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Amalickiah  sent  again  the 
second  time,  desiring  him  to  come  down.  And  it  came  to  pass 
that  Lehonti  would  not:  and  he  sent  again  the  third  time. 


CHAP.   21.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  475 

92  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Amalickiah  found  that 
he  could  not  get  Lehonti  to  come  down  off  from  the  mount,  he 
went  up  into  the  mount,  nearly  to  Lehonti's  camp ;  and  he  sent 
again  the  fourth  time,  his  message  unto  Lehonti,  desiring  that 
he  would  come  down,  and  that  he  would  bring  his  guards 
with  him. 

93  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Lehonti  had  come  down 
with  his  guards  to  Amalickiah,  that  Amalickiah  desired  him 
to  come  down  with  his  army  in  the  night  time,  and  surround 
those  men  in  their  camp,  over  whom  the  king  had  gave  him 
command,  and  that  he  would  deliver  them  up  into  Lehonti's 
hands,  if  he  would  make  him,  (Amalickiah,)  a  second  leader 
over  the  whole  army. 

94  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Lehonti  came  down  with  his 
men,  and  surrounded  the  men  of  Amalickiah,  so  that  before 
they  awoke  at  the  dawn  of  the  day,  they  were  surrounded  by 
the  armies  of  Lehonti. 

95  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  they  saw  they  were  sur- 
rounded, they  plead  with  Amalickiah  that  he  would  suffer 
them  to  fall  in  with  their  brethren,  that  they  might  not  be 
destroyed. 

96  Now  this  was  the  very  thing  which  Amalickiah  desired. 
TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  he  delivered  his  men,  contrary  to 
the  commands  of  the  king. 

97  Now  this  was  the  thing  that  Amalickiah  desired,  that  he 
might  accomplish  his  designs  in  dethroning  the  king. 

98  Now  it  was  the  custom  among  the  Lamanites,  if  their 
chief  leader  was  killed,  to  appoint  the  second  leader  to  be 
their  chief  leader. 

99  ^Now  it  came  to  pass  that  Amalickiah  caused  that  one 
of  his  servants  should  administer  poison,  by  degrees  to 
Lehonti,   that  he   died. 

100  Now  when  Lehonti  was  dead,  the  Lamanites  appointed 
Amalickiah  to  be  their  leader  and  chief  commander. 

101  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Amalickiah  marched  with  his 
armies  (for  he  had  gained  his  desires)  to  the  land  of  Nephi, 
to  the  city  of  Nephi,  which  was  the  chief  city. 

102  And  the  king  came  out  to  meet  him,  with  his  guards: 


476  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.    21. 

for  he  supposed  that  Amalickiah  had  fulfilled  his  commands, 
and  that  Amalickiah  had  gathered  together  so  great  an  army 
to  go  against  the  Nephites  to  battle. 

103  But  behold,  as  the  king  came  out  to  meet  him,  Amalic- 
kiah caused  that  his  servants  should  go  forth  to  meet  the 
king. 

104  And  they  went  and  bowed  themselves  before  the  king, 
as  if  to  reverence  him,  because  of  his  greatness. 

105  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  king  put  forth  his  hand 
to  raise  them,  as  was  the  custom  with  the  Lamanites,  as  a 
token  of  peace,  which  custom  they  had  taken  from  the 
Nephites. 

106  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  he  had  raised  the 
first  from  the  ground,  behold  he  stabbed  the  king  to  the 
heart;  and  he  fell  to  the  earth. 

107  Now  the  servants  of  the  king  fled;  and  the  servants 
of  Amalickiah  raised  a  cry,  saying.  Behold  the  servants  of 
the  king  have  stabbed  him  to  the  heart,  and  he  has  fell,  and 
they  have  fled;  behold,  come  and  see. 

108  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Amalickiah  commanded  that 
his  armies  should  march  forth,  and  see  what  had  happened 
to  the  king: 

109  And  when  they  had  come  to  the  spot,  and  found  the 
king  lying  in  his  gore,  Amalickiah  pretended  to  be  wroth,  and 
said.  Whosoever  loved  the  king,  let  him  go  forth  and  pursue 
his  servants,  that  they  rpay  be  slain. 

110  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  all  they  who  loved  the 
king,  when  they  heard  these  words,  came  forth  and  pursued 
after  the  servants  of  the  king. 

111  Now  when  the  servants  of  the  king  saw  an  army 
pursuing  after  them,  they  were  frightened  again,  and  fled 
into  the  wilderness,  and  came  over  in  the  land  of  Zarahemla, 
and  joined  the  people  of  Ammon; 

112  And  the  army  which  pursued  after  them,  returned, 
having  pursued  after  them  in  vain:  and  thus  Amalickiah,  by 
his  fraud,  gained  the  hearts  of  the  people. 

113  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  on  the  morrow,  he  entered  the 
city  Nephi,  with  his  armies,  and  took  possession  of  the  city. 


CHAP.   21.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  477 

114  And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  the  queen,  when  she 
had  heard  that  the  king  was  slain:  for  Amalickiah  had  sent 
an  embassy  to  the  queen,  informing  her  that  the  king  had 
been  slain  by  his  servants ;  that  he  had  pursued  them  with  his 
army,  but  it  was  in  vain,  and  they  had  made  their  escape, 

115  Therefore  when  the  queen  had  received  this  message, 
she  sent  unto  Amalickiah,  desiring  him  that  he  would  spare 
the  people  of  the  city;  and  she  also  desired  him  that  he  should 
come  in  unto  her;  and  she  also  desired  him  that  he  should 
bring  witnesses  with  him,  to  testify  concerning  the  death  of 
the  king. 

116  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  Amalickiah  took  the  same 
servant  that  slew  the  king,  and  all  they  who  were  with  him, 
and  went  in  unto  the  queen,  unto  the  place  where  she  sat; 

117  And  they  all  testified  unto  her  that  the  king  was  slain 
by  his  own  servants;  and  they  said  also.  They  have  fled; 
does  not  this  testify  against  them? 

118  And  thus  they  satisfied  the  queen  concerning  the  death 
of  the  king. 

119  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  Amalickiah  sought  the  favor 
of  the  queen,  and  took  her  unto  him  to  wife;  and  thus  by  his 
fraud,  and  by  the  assistance  of  his  cunning  servants,  he 
obtained  the  kingdom; 

120  Yea,  he  was  acknowledged  king  throughout  all  the  land, 
among  all  the  people  of  the  Lamanites,  who  were  composed  of 
the  Lamanites,  and  the  Lemuelites,  and  the  Ishmaelites,  and 
all  the  dissenters  of  the  Nephites,  from  the  reign  of  Nephi 
down  to  the  present  time. 

121  Now  these  dissenters,  having  the  same  instruction  and 
the  same  information  of  the  Nephites;  yea,  having  been  in- 
structed in  the  same  knowledge  of  the  Lord ;  nevertheless,  it  is 
strange  to  relate,  not  long  after  their  dissensions,  they  became 
more  hardened  and  impenitent,  and  more  wild,  wicked  and 
ferocious,  than  the  Lamanites; 

122  Drinking  in  with  the  traditions  of  the  Lamanites,  giv- 
ing way  to  indolence,  and  all  manner  of  lasciviousness;  yea, 
entirely  forgetting  the  Lord  their  God. 

123  HAnd  now  it  came  to  pass  that  as  soon  as  Amalickiah 


478  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.   21. 

had  obtained  the  kingdom,  he  began  to  inspire  the  hearts  of 
the  Lamanites  against  the  people  of  Nephi;  yea,  he  did  ap- 
point men  to  speak  unto  the  Lamanites  from  their  towers, 
against  the  Nephites; 

124  And  thus  he  did  inspire  their  hearts  against  the  Ne- 
phites, insomuch,  that  in  the  latter  end  of  the  nineteenth  year 
of  the  reign  of  the  Judges,  he  having  accomplished  his  designs 
thus  far;  yea,  having  been  made  king  over  the  Lamanites, 
he  sought  also  to  reign  over  all  the  land; 

125  Yea,  and  all  the  people  who  were  in  the  land,  the  Ne- 
phites. as  well  as  the  Lamanites,  therefore  he  had  accom- 
plished his  design,  for  he  had  hardened  the  hearts  of  the 
Lamanites,  and  blinded  their  minds,  and  stirred  them  up  to 
anger,  insomuch  that  he  had  gathered  together  a  numerous 
host,  to  go  to  battle  against  the  Nephites,  for  he  was  deter- 
mined, because  of  the  greatness  of  the  number  of  his  people, 
to  overpower  the  Nephites,  and  to  bring  them  into  bondage; 

126  And  thus  he  did  appoint  chief  captains  of  the  Zoram- 
ites,  they  being  the  most  acquainted  with  the  strength  of  the 
Nephites,  and  their  places  of  resort,  and  the  weakest  parts 
of  their  cities;  therefore  he  appointed  them  to  be  chief  cap- 
tains over  his  armies. 

127  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  took  their  camp,  and 
moved  forth  towards  the  land  of  Zarahemla,  in  the  wilderness. 

128  Now  it  came  to  pass  that  while  Amalickiah  had  thus 
been  obtaining  power  by  fraud  and  deceit,  Moroni,  on  the 
other  hand,  had  been  preparing  the  minds  of  the  people  to  be 
faithful  unto  the  Lord  their  God; 

129  Yea,  he  had  been  strengthening  the  armies  of  the  Ne- 
phites, and  erecting  small  forts,  or  places  of  resort;  throwing 
up  banks  of  earth  round  about  to  enclose  his  armies,  and  also 
building  walls  of  stone  to  encircle  them  about,  round  about 
their  cities,  and  the  borders  of  their  lands;  yea,  all  round 
about  the  land; 

130  And  in  their  weakest  fortifications,  he  did  place  the 
greater  number  of  men;  and  thus  he  did  fortify  and 
strengthen  the  land  which  was  possessed  by  the  Nephites. 

131  And  thus  he  was  preparing  to  support  their  liberty. 


CHAP.  21.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  479 

their  lands,  their  wives,  and  their  children,  and  their  peace, 
and  that  they  might  live  unto  the  Lord  their  God,  and  that 
they  might  maintain  that  which  was  called  by  their  enemies 
the  cause  of  christians. 

132  And  Moroni  was  a  strong  and  a  mighty  man;  he  was 
a  man  of  a  perfect  understanding;  yea,  a  man  that  did  not 
delight  in  bloodshed;  a  man  whose  soul  did  joy  in  the  liberty 
and  the  freedom  of  his  country,  and  his  brethren  from  bon- 
dage and  slavery; 

133  Yea,  a  man  whose  heart  did  swell  with  thanksgiving 
to  his  God,  for  the  many  privileges  and  blessings  which  he 
bestowed  upon  his  people;  a  man  who  did  labor  exceedingly 
for  the  welfare  and  safety  of  his  people : 

134  Yea,  and  he  was  a  man  who  was  firm  in  the  faith  of 
Christ,  and  he  had  sworn  with  an  oath,  to  defend  his  people, 
his  rights,  and  his  country,  and  his  religion,  even  to  the  loss 
of  his  blood. 

135  Now  the  Nephites  were  taught  to  defend  themselves 
against  their  enemies,  even  to  the  shedding  of  blood,  if  it 
were  necessary; 

136  Yea,  and  they  were  also  taught  never  to  give  an  of- 
fense; yea,  and  never  to  raise  the  sword,  except  it  were 
against  an  enemy,  except  it  were  to  preserve  their  lives; 

137  And  this  was  their  faith,  that  by  so  doing,  God  would 
prosper  them  in  the  land;  or  in  other  words,  if  they  were 
faithful  in  keeping  the  commandments  of  God,  that  he  would 
prosper  them  in  the  land;  yea,  warn  them  to  flee,  or  to  pre- 
pare for  war,  according  to  their  danger; 

138  And  also  that  God  would  make  it  known  unto  them, 
whither  they  should  go  to  defend  themselves  against  their 
enemies;  and  by  so  doing,  the  Lord  would  deliver  them,  and 
this  was  the  faith  of  Moroni; 

139  And  his  heart  did  glory  in  it;  not  in  the  shedding  of 
blood,  but  in  doing  good,  in  preserving  his  people;  yea,  in 
keeping  the  commandments  of  God;  yea,  and  resisting  iniq- 
uity. 

140  Yea,  verily,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  if  all  men  had  been, 
and  were,  and  ever  would  be,  like  unto  Moroni,  behold,  the 


480  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  21. 

very  powers  of  hell  would  have  been  shaken  for  ever ;  yea,  the 
devil  would  never  have  power  over  the  hearts  of  the  children 
of  men. 

141  Behold,  he  was  a  man  like  unto  Ammon,  the  son  of 
Mosiah,  yea,  and  even  the  other  sons  of  Mosiah;  yea,  and 
also  Alma  and  his  sons,  for  they  were  all  men  of  God. 

142  Now  behold,  Helaman  and  his  brethren  were  no  less 
serviceable  unto  the  people,  than  was  Moroni;  for  they  did 
preach  the  word  of  God,  and  they  did  baptize  unto  repent- 
ance, all  men  whosoever  would  hearken  unto  their  words. 

143  And  thus  they  went  forth,  and  the  people  did  humble 
themselves  because  of  their  words,  insomuch  that  they  were 
highly  favored  of  the  Lord;  and  thus  they  were  free  from 
wars  and  contentions  among  themselves;  yea,  even  for  the 
space  of  four  years. 

144  But  as  I  have  said  in  the  latter  end  of  the  nineteenth; 
yea,  notwithstanding  their  peace  amongst  themselves,  they 
were  compelled  reluctantly  to  contend  with  their  brethren, 
the  Lamanites; 

145  Yea,  and  in  fine,  their  wars  never  did  cease  for  the 
space  of  many  years  with  the  Lamanites,  notwithstanding 
their  much  reluctance. 

146  Now  they  were  sorry  to  take  up  arms  against  the  La- 
manites, because  they  did  not  delight  in  the  shedding  of  blood; 
yea,  and  this  was  not  all;  they  were  sorry  to  be  the  means  of 
sending  so  many  of  their  brethren  out  of  this  world  into  an 
eternal  world  unprepared  to  meet  their  God; 

147  Nevertheless,  they  could  not  suffer  to  lay  down  their 
lives,  that  their  wives  and  their  children  should  be  massacred 
by  the  barbarous  cruelty  of  those  who  were  once  their  breth- 
ren, yea,  and  had  dissented  from  their  church,  and  had  left 
them,  and  had  gone  to  destroy  them,  by  joining  the  La- 
manites ; 

148  Yea,  they  could  not  bear  that  their  brethren  should 
rejoice  over  the  blood  of  the  Nephites,  so  long  as  there  were 
any  who  should  keep  the  commandments  of  God,  for  the  prom- 
ise of  the  Lord  was,  if  they  should  keep  his  commandments, 
they  should  prosper  in  the  land. 


CHAP.  21.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  481 

149  ^Ancl  now  it  came  to  pass,  in  the  eleventh  month  of 
the  nineteenth  year,  on  the  tenth  day  of  the  month,  the  armies 
of  the  Lamanites  v/ere  seen  approaching  towards  the  land  of 
Ammonihah. 

150  And  behold,  the  city  had  been  rebuilt,  and  Moroni  had 
stationed  an  army  by  the  borders  of  the  city,  and  they  had 
cast  up  dirt  round  about,  to  shield  them  from  the  arrows  and 
the  stones  of  the  Lamanites:  for  behold,  they  fought  with 
stones,  and  with  arrows. 

151  Behold,  I  said  that  the  city  of  Ammonihah  had  been 
rebuilt.  I  say  unto  you,  yea,  that  it  was  in  part  rebuilt,  and 
because  the  Lamanites  had  destroyed  it  once  because  of  the 
iniquity  of  the  people,  they  supposed  that  it  would  again  be- 
come an  easy  prey  for  them. 

152  But  behold,  how  great  was  their  disappointment;  for 
behold,  the  Nephites  had  dug  up  a  ridge  of  earth  round  about 
them,  which  was  so  high  that  the  Lamanites  could  not  cast 
their  stones  and  arrows  at  them,  that  they  might  take  effect, 
neither  could  they  come  upon  them,  save  it  was  by  their  place 
of  entrance. 

153  Now  at  this  time,  the  chief  captains  of  the  Lamanites 
were  astonished  exceedingly,  because  of  the  wisdom  of  the 
Nephites  in  preparing  their  places  of  security. 

154  Now  the  leaders  of  the  Lamanites  had  supposed,  be- 
cause of  the  greatness  of  their  numbers;  yea,  they  supposed 
that  they  should  be  privileged  to  come  upon  them  as  they  had 
hitherto  done; 

155  Yea,  and  they  had  also  prepared  themselves  with 
shields,  and  with  breastplates;  and  they  had  also  prepared 
themselves  with  garments  of  skins;  yea,  very  thick  garments, 
to  cover  their  nakedness. 

156  And  being  thus  prepared,  they  supposed  that  they 
should  easily  overpower  and  subject  their  brethren  to  the  yoke 
of  bondage,  or  slay  and  massacre  them  according  to  their 
pleasure. 

157  But  behold,  to  their  uttermost  astonishment,  they  were 
prepared  for  them,  in  a  manner  which  never  had  been  known 
among  all  the  children  of  Lehi. 


482  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  21. 

158  Now  they  were  prepared  for  the  Lamanites,  to  battle, 
after  the  manner  of  the  instructions  of  Moroni. 

159  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lamanites,  or  the  Amal- 
ickiahites,  were  exceedingly  astonished  at  their  manner  of 
preparation  for  war. 

160  Now  if  King  Amalickiah  had  come  down  out  of  the 
land  of  Nephi,  at  the  head  of  his  army,  perhaps  he  would 
have  caused  the  Lamanites  to  have  attacked  the  Nephites  at 
the  city  of  Ammonihah;  for  behold,  he  did  care  not  for  the 
blood  of  his  people. 

161  But  behold,  Amalickiah  did  not  conie  down  himself  to 
battle. 

162  And  behold,  his  chief  captains  durst  not  attack  the  Ne- 
phites at  the  city  of  Ammonihah,  for  Moroni  had  altered  the 
management  of  affairs  among  the  Nephites,  insomuch  that 
the  Lamanites  were  disappointed  in  their  places  of  retreat, 
and  they  could  not  come  upon  them; 

163  Therefore  they  retreated  into  the  wilderness,  and  took 
their  camp,  and  marched  towards  the  land  of  Noah,  suppos- 
ing that  to  be  the  next  best  place  for  them  to  come  against 
the  Nephites; 

164  For  they  knew  not  that  Moroni  had  fortified  or  had 
built  forts  of  security  for  every  city  in  all  the  land  round 
about ; 

165  Therefore  they  marched  forward  to  the  land  of  Noah, 
with  a  firm  determination;  yea,  their  chief  captains  came 
forward,  and  took  an  oath  that  they  would  destroy  the  peo- 
ple of  that  city. 

166  But  behold,  to  their  astonishment,  the  city  of  Noah, 
which  had  hitherto  been  a  weak  place,  had  now,  by  the  means 
of  Moroni,  become  strong;  yea,  even  to  exceed  the  strength  of 
the  city  Ammonihah. 

167  And  now  behold,  this  was  wisdom  in  Moroni;  for  he 
had  supposed  that  they  would  be  frightened  at  the  city  Am- 
monihah; and  as  the  city  of  Noah  had  hitherto  been  the 
weakest  part  of  the  land,  therefore  they  would  march  thither 
to  battle;  and  thus  it  was,  according  to  his  desires. 

168  And  behold,   Moroni  had  appointed   Lehi  to  be  chief 


CHAP.  21.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  483 

captain  over  the  men  of  that  city;  and  it  was  that  same  Lehi 
who  fought  with  the  Lamanites  in  the  valley,  on  the  east  of 
the  river  Sidon. 

169  TJAnd  now  behold,  it  came  to  pass,  that  when  the  La- 
manites had  found  that  Lehi  commanded  the  city,  they  were 
again  disappointed,  for  they  feared  Lehi  exceedingly;  never- 
theless, their  chief  captains  had  sworn  with  an  oath,  to  attack 
the  city;  therefore  they  brought  up  their  armies. 

170  Now  behold,  the  Lamanites  could  not  get  into  their 
forts  of  security,  by  any  other  way  save  by  the  entrance,  be- 
cause of  the  highness  of  the  bank  which  had  been  thrown  up, 
and  the  depth  of  the  ditch  which  had  been  dug  round  about, 
save  it  were  by  the  entrance. 

171  And  thus  were  the  Nephites  prepared  to  destroy  all 
such  as  should  attempt  to  climb  up  to  enter  the  fort  by  any 
other  way,  by  casting  over  stones  and  arrows  at  them. 

172  Thus  they  were  prepared;  yea,  a  body  of  their  most 
strong  men,  with  their  swords  and  their  slings,  to  smite  down 
all  who  should  attempt  to  come  into  their  place  of  security, 
by  the  place  of  entrance;  and  thus  were  they  prepared  to 
defend  themselves  against  the  Lamanites. 

173  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  captains  of  the  Lamanites 
brought  up  their  armies  before  the  place  of  entrance,  and 
began  to  contend  with  the  Nephites,  to  get  into  their  place  of 
security; 

174  But  behold,  they  were  driven  back  from  time  to  time, 
insomuch  that  they  were  slain,  with  an  immense  slaughter. 

175  Now  when  they  found  that  they  could  not  obtain  power 
over  the  Nephites  by  the  pass,  they  began  to  dig  down  their 
banks  of  earth,  that  they  might  obtain  a  pass  to  their  armies, 
that  they  might  have  an  equal  chance  to  fight; 

176  But  behold,  in  these  attempts,  they  were  swept  off  by 
the  stones  and  the  arrows  which  were  thrown  at  them;  and 
instead  of  filling  up  their  ditches  by  pulling  down  the  banks 
of  earth,  they  were  filled  up  in  a  measure,  with  their  dead 
and  wounded  bodies. 

177  Thus  the  Nephites  had  all  power  over  their  enemies; 


484  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  21. 

and  thus  the  Lamanites  did  attempt  to  destroy  the  Nephites, 
until  their  chief  captains  were  all  slain; 

178  Yea,  and  more  than  a  thousand  of  the  Lamanites  were 
slain;  while  on  the  other  hand,  there  was  not  a  single  soul  of 
the  Nephites  which  was  slain. 

179  There  were  about  fifty  who  were  wounded,  who  had 
been  exposed  to  the  arrows  of  the  Lamanites  through  the 
pass,  but  they  were  shielded  by  their  shields,  and  their  breast- 
plates, and  their  head-plates,  insomuch  that  their  wounds 
were  upon  their  legs:  many  of  which  were  very  severe. 

180  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass,  that  when  the  Lamanites  saw 
that  their  chief  captains  were  all  slain,  they  fled  into  the 
wilderness. 

181  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  returned  to  the  land  of 
Nephi,  to  inform  their  king,  Amalickiah,  who  was  a  Nephite 
by  birth,  concerning  their  great  loss. 

182  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  was  exceeding  angry  with 
his  people,  because  he  had  not  obtained  his  desire  over  the 
Nephites;  he  had  not  subjected  them  to  the  yoke  of  bondage; 

183  Yea,  he  was  exceeding  wroth,  and  he  did  curse  God, 
and  also  Moroni,  and  swearing  with  an  oath  that  he  would 
drink  his  blood;  and  this  because  Moroni  had  kept  the  com- 
mandments of  God  in  preparing  for  the  safety  of  his  people. 

184  And  it  came  to  pass,  that  on  the  other  hand,  the  people 
of  Nephi  did  thank  the  Lord  their  God,  because  of  his  match- 
less power  in  delivering  them  from  the  hands  of  their  ene- 
mies. 

185  And  thus  ended  the  nineteenth  year  of  the  reign  of  the 
Judges  over  the  people  of  Nephi;  yea,  and  there  was  con- 
tinual peace  among  them,  and  exceeding  great  prosperity  in 
the  church,  because  of  their  heed  and  dilig^nce  which  they 
gave  unto  the  word  of  God,  which  was  declared  unto  them  by 
Helaman,  and  Shiblon,  and  Corianton,  and  Ammon,  and  his 
brethren,  etc.; 

186  Yea,  and  by  all  those  who  had  been  ordained  by  the 
holy  order  of  God,  being  baptized  unto  repentance,  and  sent 
forth  to  preach  among  the  people,  etc. 


CHAP.  22.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  485 

CHAPTER  22. 

1  TIAnd  now  it  came  to  pass  that  Moroni  did  not  stop  mak- 
ing preparations  for  war,  or  to  defend  his  people  against  the 
Lamanites;  for  he  caused  that  his  armies  should  commence 
in  the  commencement  of  the  twentieth  year  of  the  reign  of 
the  Judges,  that  they  should  commence  in  digging  up  heaps 
of  earth  round  about  all  the  cities,  throughout  all  the  land 
which  was  possessed  by  the  Nephites; 

2  And  upon  the  top  of  these  ridges  of  earth  he  caused  that 
there  should  be  timbers;  yea,  works  of  timbers  built  up  to 
the  height  of  a  man,  round  about  the  cities. 

3  And  he  caused  that  upon  those  works  of  timbers,  there 
should  be  a  frame  of  pickets  built  upon  the  timbers,  round 
about;  and  they  were  strong  and  high;  and  he  caused  towers 
to  be  erected  that  overlooked  those  works  of  pickets; 

4  And  he  caused  places  of  security  to  be  built  upon  those 
towers,  that  the  stones  and  the  arrows  of  the  Lamanites  could 
not  hurt  them. 

5  And  they  were  prepared,  that  they  could  cast  stones  from 
the  top  thereof,  according  to  their  pleasure  and  their  strength, 
and  slay  him  who  should  attempt  to  approach  near  the  walls 
of  the  city. 

6  Thus  Moroni  did  prepare  strongholds  against  the  coming 
of  their  enemies,  round  about  every  city  in  all  the  land. 

7  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  Moroni  caused  that  his  armies 
should  go  forth  into  the  east  wilderness;  yea,  and  they  went 
forth,  and  drove  all  the  Lamanites  who  were  in  the  east  wil- 
derness into  their  own  lands,  which  were  south  of  the  land 
of  Zarahemla; 

8  And  the  land  of  Nephi  did  run  in  a  straight  course  from 
the  east  sea  to  the  west. 

9  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Moroni  had  driven  all  the 
Lamanites  out  of  the  east  wilderness,  which  was  north  of  the 
lands  of  their  own  possessions,  he  caused  that  the  inhabitants 
who  were  in  the  land  of  Zarahemla,  and  in  the  land  round 
about,  should  go  forth  into  the  east  wilderness,  even  to  the 
borders,  by  the  sea-shore,  and  possess  the  land. 


486  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  22. 

10  And  he  also  placed  armies  on  the  south,  in  the  borders 
of  their  possessions,  and  caused  them  to  erect  fortifications, 
that  they  might  secure  their  armies  and  their  people  from  the 
hands  of  their  enemies. 

11  And  thus  he  cut  off  all  the  strongholds  of  the  Laman- 
ites,  in  the  east  wilderness:  yea,  and  also  on  the  west,  fortify- 
ing the  line  between  the  Nephites  and  the  Lamanites,  between 
the  land  of  Zarahemla  and  the  land  of  Nephi;  from  the  west 
sea,  running  by  the  head  of  the  river  Sidon; 

12  The  Nephites  possessing  all  the  land  northward;  yea, 
even  all  the  land  which  was  northward  of  the  land  Bountiful, 
according  to  their  pleasure.^ 

13  Thus  Moroni,  with  his  armies,  which  did  increase  daily, 
because  of  the  assurance  of  protection  which  his  works  did 
bring  forth  unto  them;  therefore  they  did  seek  to  cut  off  the 
strength  and  the  power  of  the  Lamanites,  from  off  the  lands 
of  their  possessions,  that  they  should  have  no  power  upon 
the  lands  of  their  possessions. 

14  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Nephites  began  the  foun- 
dation of  a  city;  and  they  called  the  name  of  the  city  Moroni; 
and  it  was  by  the  east  sea;  and  it  was  on  the  south  by  the 
line  of  the  possessions  of  the  Lamanites. 

15  And  they  also  began  a  foundation  for  a  city  between 
the  city  of  Moroni  and  the  city  of  Aaron,  joining  the  borders 
of  Aaron  and  Moroni;  and  they  called  the  name  of  the  city, 
or  the  land,  Nephihah. 

16  And  they  also  began,  in  that  same  year,  to  build  many 
cities  on  the  north;  one  in  a  particular  manner  which  they 
called  Lehi,  which  was  in  the  north,  by  the  borders  of  the 
sea-shore.     And  thus  ended  the  twentieth  year. 

17  And  in  these  prosperous  circumstances  were  the  people 
of  Nephi,  in  the  commencement  of  the  twenty  and  first  year 
of  the  reign  of  the  Judges  over  the  people  of  Nephi. 

18  And  they  did  prosper  exceedingly,  and  they  became  ex- 
ceeding rich;  yea,  and  they  did  multiply,  and  wax  strong  in 
the  land. 

19  And  thus  we  see  how  merciful  and  just  are  all  the  deal- 


CHAP.  22.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  487 

ings  of  the  Lord,  to  the  fulfilling  of  all  his  words  unto  the 
children  of  men; 

20  Yea,  we  can  behold  that  his  words  are  verified,  even  at 
this  time,  which  he  spake  unto  Lehi,  saying,  Blessed  art  thou 
and  thy  children;  and  they  shall  be  blessed;  inasmuch  as 
they  shall  keep  my  commandments,  they  shall  prosper  in  the 
land. 

21  But  remember,  inasmuch  as  they  will  not  keep  my  com- 
mandments, they  shall  be  cut  off  from  the  presence  of  the 
Lord. 

22  And  we  see  that  these  promises  have  been  verified  to 
the  people  of  Nephi;  for  it  has  been  their  quarrelings  and 
their  contentions,  yea,  their  murderings,  and  their  plunder- 
ings,  their  idolatry,  their  whoredoms,  and  their  abominations, 
which  were  among  themselves,  which  brought  upon  them 
their  wa;rs  and  their  destructions. 

23  And  those  who  were  faithful  in  keeping  the  command- 
ments of  the  Lord,  were  delivered  at  all  times,  whilst  thou- 
sands of  their  wicked  brethren  have  been  consigned  to  bond- 
age, or  to  perish  by  the  sword,  or  to  dwindle  in  unbelief,  and 
mingle  with  the  Lamanites. 

24  But  behold,  there  never  was  a  happier  time  among  the 
people  of  Nephi,  since  the  days  of  Nephi,  than  in  the  days  of 
Moroni;  yea,  even  at  this  time,  in  the  twenty  and  first  year 
of  the  reign  of  the  Judges. 

25  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  twenty  and  second  year  of 
the  reign  of  the  Judges,  also  ended  in  peace;  yea,  and  also 
the  twenty  and  third  year. 

26  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  in  the  commencement  of  the 
twenty  and  fourth  year  of  the  reig-n  of  the  Judges,  there 
would  also  have  been  peace  among  the  people  of  Nephi,  had 
it  not  been  for  a  contention  which  took  place  among  them 
concerning  the  land  of  Lehi,  and  the  land  of  Morianton, 
which  joined  upon  the  borders  of  Lehi;  both  of  which  were 
on  the  borders  by  the  sea-shore. 

27  For  behold,  the  people  who  possessed  the  land  of  Mori- 
anton did  claim  a  part  of  the  land  of  Lehi;  therefore  there 
began  to  be  a  warm  contention  between  them,  insomuch  that 


488  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  22. 

the  people  of  Morianton  took  up  arms  against  their  brethren, 
and  they  were  determined  by  the  sword  to  slay  them. 

28  But  behold,  the  people  who  possessed  the  land  of  Lehi, 
fled  to  the  camp  of  Moroni,  and  appealed  unto  him  for  assist- 
ance; for  behold,  they  were  not  in  the  wrong. 

29  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  when  the  people  of  Morian- 
ton, who  were  led  by  a  man  whose  name  was  Morianton, 
found  that  the  people  of  Lehi  had  fled  to  the  camp  of  Moroni, 
they  were  exceeding  fearful  lest  the  army  of  Moroni  should 
come  upon  them,  and  destroy  them; 

30  Therefore,  Morianton  put  it  into  their  hearts  that  they 
should  flee  to  the  land  which  was  northward,  which  was  cov- 
ered with  large  bodies  of  water,  and  take  possession  of  the 
land  which  was  northward. 

31  And  behold,  they  would  have  carried  this  plan  into  ef- 
fect, (which  would  have  been  a  cause  to  have  been  lamented,) 
but  behold,  Morianton,  being  a  man  of  much  passion,  there- 
fore he  was  angry  with  one  of  his  maid-servants,  and  he  fell 
upon  her,  and  beat  her  much. 

32  And  it  came  to  pass  that  she  fled,  and  came  over  to  the 
camp  of  Moroni,  and  told  Moroni  all  things  concerning  the 
matter;  and  also  concerning  their  intentions  to  flee  into  the 
land  northward. 

33  Now  behold,  the  people  who  were  in  the  land  Bountiful, 
or  rather  Moroni,  feared  that  they  would  hearken  to  the 
words  of  Morianton,  and  unite  with  his  people,  and  thus  he 
would  obtain  possession  of  those  parts  of  the  land,  which 
would  lay  a  foundation  for  serious  consequences  among  the 
people  of  Nephi;  yea,  which  consequences  would  lead  to  the 
overthrow  of  their  liberty; 

34  Therefore  Moroni  sent  an  army,  with  their  camp,  to 
head  the  people  of  Morianton,  to  stop  their  flight  into  the 
land  northward. 

35  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  not  head  them,  until 
they  had  come  to  the  borders  of  the  land  Desolation:  and 
there  they  did  head  them,  by  the  narrow  pass  which  led  by 
the  sea  into  the  land  northward;  yea,  by  the  sea,  on  the 
west,  and  on  the  east. 


CHAP.  22.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  489 

36  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  army  which  was  sent  by 
Moroni,  which  was  led  by  a  man  whose  name  was  Teancum, 
did  meet  the  people  of  Morianton; 

37  And  so  stubborn  were  the  people  of  Morianton,  (being 
inspired  by  his  wickedness  and  his  flattering  words,)  that 
a  battle  commenced  between  them,  in  the  which  Teancum  did 
slay  Morianton,  and,  defeat  his  army,  and  took  them  prison- 
ers, and  returned  to  the  camp  of  Moroni. 

38  And  thus  ended  the  twenty  and  fourth  year  of  the  reign 
of  the  Judges  over  the  people  of  Nephi.  And  thus  was  the 
people  of  Morianton  brought  back. 

39  And  upon  their  covenanting  to  keep  the  peace,  they  were 
restored  to  the  land  of  Morianton,  and  a  union  took  place  be- 
tween them  and  the  people  of  Lehi;  and  they  were  also  re- 
stored to  their  lands. 

40  l[And  it  came  to  pass  that  in  the  same  year  that  Lhe 
people  of  Nephi  had  peace  restored  unto  them,  that  Nephihah, 
the  second  chief  judge,  died,  having  filled  the  judgment  seat 
with  perfect  uprightness  before  God; 

41  Nevertheless,  he  had  refused  Alma  to  take  possession  of 
those  records  and  those  things  which  were  esteemed  by  Alma 
and  his  fathers  to  be  most  sacred;  therefore  Alma  had  con- 
ferred them  upon  his  son  Helaman. 

42  TJBehold,  it  came  to  pass  that  the  son  of  Nephihah  was 
appointed  to  fill  the  judgment  seat,  in  the  stead  of  his  father; 
yea,  he  was  appointed  chief  judge,  and  governor  over  the 
people,  with  an  oath,  and  sacred  ordinance  to  judge  right- 
eously, and  to  keep  the  peace,  and  the  freedom  of  the  people, 
and  to  grant  unto  them  their  sacred  privileges  to  worship 
the  Lord  their  God; 

43  Yea,  to  support  and  maintain  the  cause  of  God  all  his 
days,  and  to  bring  the  wicked  to  justice,  according  to  their 
crime.    Now  behold,  his  name  was  Pahoran. 

44  And  Pahoran  did  fill  the  seat  of  his  father,  and  did  com- 
mence his  reign  in  the  end  of  the  twenty  and  fourth  year, 
over  the  people  of  Nephi. 


490  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [CHAP.  23. 

CHAPTER  23. 

1  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  in  the  commencement  of  the 
twenty  and  fifth  year  of  the  reign  of  the  Judges  over  the 
people  of  Nephi,  they  having  established  peace  between  the 
people  of  Lehi  and  the  people  of  Morianton  concerning  their 
lands,  and  having  commenced  the  twenty  and  fifth  year  in 
peace; 

2  Nevertheless,  they  did  not  long  maintain  an  entire  peace 
in  the  land,  for  there  began  to  be  a  contention  among  the 
people  concerning  the  chief  judge,  Pahoran;  for  behold,  there 
were  a  part  of  the  people  who  desired  that  a  few  particular 
points  of  the  law  should  be  altered. 

3  But  behold,  Pahoran  would  not  alter,  nor  suffer  the  law 
to  be  altered;  therefore  he  did  not  hearken  to  those  who  had 
sent  in  their  voices  with  their  petitions,  concerning  the  alter- 
ing of  the  law; 

4  Therefore  those  who  were  desirous  that  the  law  should 
be  altered,  were  angry  with  him,  and  desired  that  he  should 
no  longer  be  chief  judge  over  the  land;  therefore  there  arose 
a  warm  dispute  concerning  the  matter;  but  not  unto  blood- 
shed. 

5  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  those  who  were  desirous  that 
Pahoran  should  be  dethroned  from  the  judgment  seat,  were 
called  king-men,  for  they  were  desirous  that  the  law  should 
be  altered  in  a  manner  to  overthrow  the  free  government, 
and  to  establish  a  king  over  the  land. 

6  And  those  who  were  desirous  that  Pahoran  should  re- 
main chief  judge  over  the  land,  took  upon  them  the  name  of 
freemen;  and  thus  was  the  division  among  them;  for  the  free- 
men had  sworn  or  covenanted  to  maintain  their  rights,  and 
the  privileges  of  their  religion,  by  a  free  government. 

7  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  this  matter  of  their  conten- 
tion was  settled,  by  the  voice  of  the  people. 

8  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  voice  of  the  people  came 
in  favor  of  the  freemen,  and  Pahoran  retained  the  judgment 
seat,  which  caused  much  rejoicing  among  the  brethren  of 
Pahoran,  and  also  many  of  the  people  of  liberty;  who  also 


CHAP.  23.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  491 

put  the  king-men  to  silence,  that  they  durst  not  oppose,  but 
were  obliged  to  maintain  the  cause  of  freedom. 

9  Now  those  who  were  in  favor  of  kings,  were  those  of 
high  birth;  and  they  sought  to  be  kings;  and  they  were  sup- 
ported by  those  who  sought  power  and  authority  over  the 
people. 

10  But  behold,  this  was  a  critical  time  for  such  conten- 
tions to  be  among  the  people  of  Nephi;  for  behold,  Amalic- 
kiah  had  again  stirred  up  the  hearts  of  the  people  of  the  La- 
manites,  against  the  people  of  the  Nephites,  and  he  was  gath- 
ering together  soldiers,  from  all  parts  of  his  land,  and  arm- 
ing them,  and  preparing  for  war,  with  all  diligence,  for  he 
had  sworn  to  drink  the  blood  of  Moroni. 

11  But  behold,  we  shall  see  that  his  promise  which  he  made, 
was  rash ;  nevertheless,  he  did  prepare  himself  and  his  armies, 
to  come  to  battle  against  the  Nephites. 

12  Now  his  armies  were  not  so  great  as  they  had  hitherto 
been,  because  of  the  many  thousands  who  had  been  slain  by 
the  hand  of  the  Nephites; 

13  But  notwithstanding  their  great  loss,  Amalickiah  had 
gathered  together  a  wonderful  great  army,  insomuch  that  he 
feared  not  to  come  down  to  the  land  of  Zarahemla. 

14  Yea,  even  Amalickiah  did  himself  come  down,  at  the 
head  of  the  Lamanites. 

15  And  it  was  in  the  twenty  and  fifth  year  of  the  reign  of 
the  Judges;  and  it  was  at  the  same  time  that  they  had  began 
to  settle  the  affairs  of  their  contentions  concerning  the  chief 
judge,  Pahoran. 

16  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  the  men  who  were 
called  king-men,  had  heard  that  the  Lamanites  were  coming 
down  to  battle  against  them,  they  were  glad  in  their  hearts, 
and  they  refused  to  take  up  arms;  for  they  were  so  wroth 
with  the  chief  judge,  and  also  with  the  people  of  liberty,  that 
they  would  not  take  up  arms  to  defend  their  country. 

17  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Moroni  saw  this,  and 
also  saw  that  the  Lamanites  were  coming  into  the  borders 
of  the  land,  he  was  exceeding  wroth,  because  of  the  stubborn- 
ness of  those  people,  whom  he  had  labored  with  so  much  dili- 


492  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  23. 

gence  to  preserve;  yea,  he  was  exceeding  wroth;  his  soul  was 
filled  with  anger  against  them. 

18  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  sent  a  petition,  with  the 
voice  of  the  people,  unto  the  governor  of  the  land,  desiring 
that  he  should  read  it,  and  give  him,  (Moroni,)  power  to  com- 
pel those  dissenters  to  defend  their  country,  or  to  put  them 
to  death; 

19  For  it  was  his  first  care  to  put  an  end  to  such  conten- 
tions, and  dissensions  among  the  people;  for  behold,  this  had 
been  hitherto  a  cause  of  all  their  destruction. 

20  And  it  came  to  pass  that  it  was  granted,  according  to 
the  voice  of  the  people. 

21  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  Moroni  commanded  that  his 
army  should  go  against  those  king-men,  to  pull  down  their 
pride  and  their  nobility,  and  level  them  with  the  earth,  or 
they  should  take  up  arms  and  support  the  cause  of  liberty. 

22  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  armies  did  march  forth 
against  them;  and  they  did  pull  down  their  pride  and  their 
nobility,  insomuch,  that  as  they  did  lift  their  weapons  of  war 
to  fight  against  the  men  of  Moroni,  they  were  hewn  down,  and 
leveled  to  the  earth. 

23  And  it  came  to  pass  that  there  were  four  thousand  of 
those  dissenters,  who  were  hewn  down  by  the  sword;  and 
those  of  their  leaders  who  were  not  slain  in  battle,  were  taken 
and  cast  into  prison,  for  there  was  no  time  for  their  trials  at 
this  period; 

24  And  the  remainder  of  those  dissenters,  rather  than  to 
be  smote  down  to  the  earth  by  the  sword,  yielded  to  the  stand- 
ard of  liberty,  and  were  compelled  to  hoist  the  title  of  liberty 
upon  their  towers,  and  in  their  cities,  and  to  take  up  arms 
in  defense  of  their  country. 

25  And  thus  Moroni  put  an  end  to  those  king-men,  that 
there  were  not  any  known  by  the  appellation  of  king-men; 
and  thus  he  put  an  end  to  the  stubbornness,  and  the  pride 
of  those  people  who  professed  the  blood  of  nobility; 

26  But  they  were  brought  down  to  humble  themselves  like 
unto  their  brethren,  and  to  fight  valiantly  for  their  freedom 
from  bondage. 


CHAP.  23.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  493 

27  ^Behold,  it  came  to  pass  that  while  Moroni  was  thus 
breaking  down  the  wars  and  contentions  among  his  own  peo- 
ple, and  subjecting  them  to  peace  and  civilization,  and  making 
regulations  to  prepare  for  war  against  the  Lamanites,  behold, 
the  Lamanites  had  come  into  the  land  of  Moroni,  which  was 
in  the  borders  by  the  sea-shore. 

28  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Nephites  were  not  suffi- 
ciently strong  in  the  city  of  Moroni;  therefore  Amalickiah 
did  drive  them,  slaying  many. 

29  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Amalickiah  took  possession  of 
the  city;  yea,  possession  of  all  their  fortifications. 

30  And  those  who  fled  out  of  the  city  of  Moroni,  came  to 
the  city  of  Nephihah;  and  also  the  people  of  the  city  of  Lehi 
gathered  themselves  together,  and  made  preparations,  and 
were  ready  to  receive  the  Lamanites  to  battle. 

31  ^But  it  came  to  pass  that  Amalickiah  would  not  suffer 
the  Lamanites  to  go  against  the  city  of  Nephihah  to  battle, 
but  kept  them  down  by  the  sea-shore,  leaving  men  in  every 
city  to  maintain  and  defend  it; 

32  And  thus  he  went  on,  taking  possession  of  many  cities: 
the  city  of  Nephihah,  and  the  city  of  Lehi,  and  the  city  of 
Morianton,  and  the  city  of  Omner,  and  the  city  of  Gid,  and 
the  city  of  Mulek,  all  of  which  were  on  the  east  borders,  by 
the  sea-shore. 

33  And  thus  had  the  Lamanites  obtained,  by  the  cunning 
of  Amalickiah,  so  many  cities,  by  their  numberless  hosts,  all 
of  which  were  strongly  fortified,  after  the  manner  of  the 
fortifications  of  Moroni;  all  of  which  afforded  strongholds 
for  the  Lamanites. 

34  TlAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  they  marched  to  the  borders 
of  the  land  Bountiful,  driving  the  Nephites  before  them,  and 
slaying  many. 

35  But  it  came  to  pass  that  they  were  met  by  Teancum, 
who  had  slain  Morianton,  and  had  headed  his  people  in  his 
flight. 

36  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  headed  Amalickiah  also,  as 
he  was   marching   forth   with   his   numerous   army,   that  he 


494  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  24. 

might  take  possession  of  the  land  Bountiful,  and  also  the  land 
northward. 

37  But  behold,  he  met  with  a  disappointment,  by  being  re- 
pulsed by  Teancum  and  his  men,  for  they  were  great  war- 
riors: for  every  man  of  Teancum  did  exceed  the  Lamanites 
in  their  strength,  and  in  their  skill  of  war,  insomuch  that 
they  did  gain  advantage  over  the  Lamanites. 

38  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  harass  them,  inso- 
much that  they  did  slay  them  even  until  it  was  dark. 

39  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Teancum  and  his  men  did 
pitch  their  tents  in  the  borders  of  the  land  Bountiful;  and 
Amalickiah  did  pitch  his  tents  in  the  borders  on  the  beach  by 
the  sea-shore,  and  after  this  manner  were  they  driven. 

40  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  the  night  had  come, 
Teancum  and  his  servant  stole  forth  and  went  out  by  night, 
and  went  into  the  camp  of  Amalickiah ;  and  behold,  sleep  had 
overpowered  them,  because  of  their  much  fatigue,  which  was 
caused  by  the  labors  and  heat  of  the  day. 

41  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Teancum  stole  privily  into 
the  tent  of  the  king,  and  put  a  javelin  to  his  heart;  and  he 
did  cause  the  death  of  the  king  immediately,  that  he  did  not 
awake  his  servants. 

42  And  he  returned  again  privily  to  his  own  camp,  and 
behold,  his  men  were  asleep;  and  he  awoke  them,  and  told 
them  all  the  things  that  he  had  done. 

43  And  he  caused  that  his  armies  should  stand  in  readi- 
ness, lest  the  Lamanites  had  awoke,  and  should  come  upon 
them. 

44  And  thus  ended  the  twenty  and  fifth  year  of  the  reign 
of  the  Judges  over  the  people  of  Nephi;  and  thus  ended  the 
days  of  Amalickiah. 


CHAPTER   24. 

i  TJAnd  now  it  came  to  pass  in  the  twenty  and  sixth  year 
of  the  reign  of  the  Judges  over  the  people  of  Nephi,  behold, 
when  the  Lamanites  awoke  on  the  first  morning  of  the  first 
month,  behold,  they  found  Amalickiah  was  dead  in  his  own 


CHAP.  24.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  495 

tent;  and  they  also  saw  that  Teancum  was  ready  to  give  them 
battle  on  that  day. 

2  And  now  when  the  Lamanites  saw  this,  they  were  af- 
frighted; and  they  abandoned  their  design  in  marching  into 
the  land  northward,  and  retreated  with  all  their  army  into 
the  city  of  Mulek,  and  sought  protection  in  their  fortifications. 

3  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  brother  of  Amalickiah  was 
appointed  king  over  the  people;  and  his  name  was  Ammoron; 
thus  King  Ammoron,  the  brother  of  King  Amalickiah,  was 
appointed  to  reign  in  his  stead. 

4  1|And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  did  command  that  his  peo- 
ple should  maintain  those  cities  which  they  had  taken  by  the 
shedding  of  blood;  for  they  had  not  taken  any  cities,  save 
they  had  lost  much  blood. 

5  And  now  Teancum  saw  that  the  Lamanites  were  deter- 
mined to  maintain  those  cities  which  they  had  taken,  and 
those  parts  of  the  land  which  they  had  obtained  possession  of; 

6  And  also  seeing  the  enormity  of  their  number,  Teancum 
thought  it  was  not  expedient  that  he  should  attempt  to  at- 
tack them  in  their  forts;  but  he  kept  his  men  round  about, 
as  if  making  preparations  for  war; 

7  Yea,  and  truly  he  was  preparing  to  defend  himself 
against  them,  by  casting  up  walls  round  about,  and  prepar- 
ing places  of  resort. 

8  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  kept  thus  preparing  for  war, 
until  Moroni  had  sent  a  large  number  of  men  to  strengthen 
his  army; 

9  And  Moroni  also  sent  orders  unto  him,  that  he  should 
retain  all  the  prisoners  who  fell  into  his  hands;  for  as  the 
Lamanites  had  taken  many  prisoners,  that  he  should  retain 
all  the  prisoners  of  the  Lamanites,  as  a  ransom  for  those 
whom  the  Lamanites  had  taken. 

10  And  he  also  sent  orders  unto  him,  that  he  should  for- 
tify the  land  Bountiful,  and  secure  the  narrow  pass  which 
led  into  the  land  northward,  lest  the  Lamanites  should  obtain 
that  point,  and  should  have  power  to  harass  them  on  every 
side. 

11  And  Moroni  also  sent  unto  him,  desiring  him  that  he 


496  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  24. 

would  be  faithful  in  maintaining  that  quarter  of  the  land, 
and  that  he  would  seek  every  opportunity  to  scourge  the  La- 
manites  in  that  quarter,  as  much  as  was  in  his  power, 

12  That  perhaps  he  might  take  again,  by  stratagem  or 
some  other  way,  those  cities  which  had  been  taken  out  of  their 
hands;  and  that  he  also  would  fortify  and  strengthen  the 
cities  round  about,  which  had  not  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the 
Lamanites. 

13  And  he  also  said  unto  him,  I  would  come  unto  you,  but 
behold,  the  Lamanites  are  upon  us  in  the  borders  of  the  land 
by  the  west  sea;  and  behold,  I  go  against  them,  therefore  I 
can  not  come  unto  you. 

14  IJNow  the  king  (Ammoron)  had  departed  out  of  the 
land  of  Zarahemla,  and  had  made  known  unto  the  queen  con- 
cerning the  death  of  his  brother,  and  had  gathered  together 
a  large  number  of  men,  and  had  marched  forth  against  the 
Nephites,  on  the  borders  by  the  west  sea; 

15  And  thus  he  was  endeavoring  to  harass  the  Nephites 
and  to  draw  away  a  part  of  their  forces  to  that  part  of  the 
land,  while  he  had  commanded  those  whom  he  had  left  to 
possess  the  cities  which  he  had  taken,  that  they  should  also 
harass  the  Nephites  on  the  borders  by  the  east  sea;  and 
should  take  possession  of  their  lands  as  much  as  it  was  in 
their  power,  according  to  the  power  of  their  armies. 

16  And  thus  were  the  Nephites  in  those  dangerous  circum- 
stances, in  the  ending  of  the  twenty  and  sixth  year  of  the 
reign  of  the  Judges  over  the  people  of  Nephi. 

17  ^But  behold,  it  came  to  pass  in  the  twenty  and  seventh 
year  of  the  reign  of  the  Judges,  that  Teancum,  by  the  com- 
mand of  Moroni,  who  had  established  armies  to  protect  the 
south  and  the  west  borders  of  the  land,  had  began  his  march 
towards  the  land  Bountiful,  that  he  might  assist  Teancum 
with  his  men,  in  retaking  the  cities  which  they  had  lost. 

18  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Teancum  had  received  orders 
to  make  an  attack  upon  the  city  of  Mulek,  and  retake  It  if  it 
were  possible. 

19  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Teancum  made  preparations 
to  make  an  attack  upon  the  city  of  Mulek,  and  march  forth 


CHAP.  24.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  497 

with  his  army  against  the  Lamanites;  but  he  saw  that  it 
was  impossible  that  he  could  overpower  them  while  they 
were  in  their  fortifications; 

20  Therefore  he  abandoned  his  designs,  and  returned  again 
to  the  city  Bountiful,  to  wait  for  the  coming  of  Moroni  that 
he  might  receive  strength  to  his  army. 

21  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  Moroni  did  arrive  with  his 
army  to  the  land  of  Bountiful,  in  the  latter  end  of  the  twenty 
and  seventh  year  of  the  reign  of  the  Judges  over  the  people 
of  Nephi. 

22  And  in  the  commencement  of  the  twenty  and  eighth 
year,  Moroni  and  Teancum,  and  many  of  the  chief  captains, 
held  a  council  of  war,  what  they  should  do  to  cause  the  La- 
manites to  come  out.  against  them  to  battle; 

23  Or  that  they  might  by  some  means,  flatter  them  out  of 
their  strongholds,  that  they  might  gain  advantage  over  them, 
and  take  again  the  city  of  Mulek. 

24  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  sent  embassies  to  the 
army  of  the  Lamanites,  which  protected  the  city  of  Mulek,  to 
their  leader,  whose  name  was  Jacob,  desiring  him  that  he 
would  come  out  with  his  armies  to  meet  them  upon  the  plains, 
between  the  two  cities. 

25  But  behold,  Jacob,  who  was  a  Zoramite,  would  not  come 
out  with  his  army  to  meet  them  upon  the  plains. 

26  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Moroni,  having  no  hopes  of 
meeting  them  upon  fair  grounds,  therefore  he  resolved  upon 
a  plan  that  he  might  'decoy  the  Lamanites  out  of  their  strong- 
holds. 

27  Therefore  he  caused  that  Teancum  should  take  a  small 
number  of  men,  and  march  down  near  the  sea-shore;  and 
Moroni  and  his  army,  by  night,  marched  into  the  wilderness, 
on  the  west  of  the  city  Mulek; 

28  And  thus,  on  the  morrow,  when  the  guards  of  the  La- 
manites had  discovered  Teancum,  they  ran  and  told  it  unto 
Jacob,  their  leader. 

•  29  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  armies  of  the  Lamanites 
did  march  forth  against  Teancum,  supposing  by  their  num- 


498  BOOK    OP^    ALMA.  [chap.  24. 

bers  to  overpower  Teancum,  because  of  the  smallness  of  his 
numbers. 

30  And  as  Teancum  saw  the  armies  of  the  Lamanites  com- 
ing out  against  him,  he  began  to  retreat  down  by  the  sea- 
shore northward. 

31  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  the  Lamanites  saw  that 
he  began  to  flee,  they  took  courage  and  pursued  them  with 
vigor. 

32  And  while  Teancum  was  thus  leading  away  the  La- 
manites who  were  pursuing  them  in  vain,  behold,  Moroni 
commanded  that  a  part  of  his  army  who  were  with  him, 
should  march  forth  into  the  city,  and  take  possession  of  it. 

33  And  thus  they  did,  and  slew  all  those  who  had  been 
left  to  protect  the  city;  yea,  all  those  who  would  not  yield  up 
their  weapons  of  war. 

34  And  thus  Moroni  had  obtained  possession  of  the  city 
Mulek,  with  a  part  of  his  army,  while  he  marched  with  the 
remainder  to  meet  the  Lamanites,  when  they  should  return 
from  the  pursuit  of  Teancum! 

35  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lamanites  did  pursue 
Teancum  until  they  came  near  the  city  Bountiful,  and  then 
they  were  met  by  Lehi,  and  a  small  army,  which  had  been 
left  to  protect  the  city  Bountiful. 

36  And  now  behold,  when  the  chief  captains  of  the  La- 
manites had  beheld  Lehi,  with  his  army,  coming  against 
them,  they  fled  in  much  confusion,  lest  perhaps  they  should 
not  obtain  the  city  Mulek,  before  Lehi  should  overtake  them; 
for  they  were  wearied  because  of  their  march,  and  the  men  of 
Lehi  were  fresh. 

37  Now  the  Lamanites  did  not  know  that  Moroni  had  been 
in  their  rear  with  his  army;  and  all  they  feared,  was  Lehi 
and  his  men. 

38  Now  Lehi  was  not  desirous  to  overtake  them,  till  they 
should  meet  Moroni  and  his  army. 

39  And  it  came  to  pass  that  before  the  Lamanites  had  re- 
treated far,  they  were  surrounded  by  the  Nephites;  by  th^ 
men  of  Moroni  on  one  hand,  and  the  men  of  Lehi  on  the  other, 


CHAP.  24.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  499 

all  of  whom  were  fresh  and  full  of  strength;  but  the  La- 
manites  were  wearied,  because  of  their  long  march. 

40  And  Moroni  commanded  his  men  that  they  should  fall 
upon  them,  until  they  had  given  up  their  weapons  of  war. 

41  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  Jacob,  being  their  leader, 
being  also  a  Zoramite,  and  having  an  unconquerable  spirit, 
he  led  the  Lamanites  forth  to  battle,  with  exceeding  fury 
against  Moroni. 

42  Moroni  being  in  their  course  of  march,  therefore  Jacob 
was  determined  to  slay  them,  and  cut  his  way  through  to  the 
city  of  Mulek. 

43  But  behold,  Moroni  and  his  men  were  more  powerful; 
therefore  they  did  not  give  way  before  the  Lamanites. 

44  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  they  fought  on  both  hands 
with  exceeding  fury;  and  there  were  many  slain  on  both 
sides;  yea,  and  Moroni  was  wounded,  and  Jacob  was  killed. 

45  And  Lehi  pressed  upon  their  rear  with  such  fury,  with 
his  strong  men,  that  the  Lamanites  in  the  rear  delivered  up 
their  weapons  of  war;  and  the  remainder  of  them,  being  much 
confused,  ^knew  not  whether  to  go  or  to  strike. 

46  Now  Moroni  seeing  their  confusion,  he  said  unto  them, 
If  ye  will  bring  forth  your  weapons  of  war,  and  deliver  them 
up,  behold  we  will  forbear  shedding  your  blood. 

47  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  the  Lamanites  had  heard 
these  words,  their  chief  captains,  all  those  who  were  not  slain, 
came  forth  and  threw  down  their  weapons  of  war  at  the  feet 
of  Moroni,  and  also  commanded  their  men  that  they  should 
do  the  same: 

48  But  behold,  there  were  many  that  would  not;  and  those 
who  would  not  deliver  up  their  swords,  were  taken  and  bound, 
and  their  weapons  of  war  were  taken  from  them,  and  they 
were  compelled  to  march  with  their  brethren  forth  into  the 
land  Bountiful. 

49  And  now  the  number  of  prisoners  who  were  taken,  ex- 
ceeded more  than  the  number  of  those  who  had  been  slain; 
yea,  more  than  those  who  had  been  slain  on  both  sides. 

50  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  set  guards  over  the 
prisoners  of  the  Lamanites,  and  did  compel  them  to  go  forth 


500  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  24. 

and  bury  their  dead;  yea,  and  also  the  dead  of  the  Nephites 
who  were  slain;  and  Moroni  placed  men  over  them  to  guard 
them  while  they  should  perform  their  labor. 

51  And  Moroni  went  to  the  city  of  Mulek  with  Lehi,  and 
took  command  of  the  city,  and  gave  it  unto  Lehi. 

52  Now  behold  this  Lehi  was  a  man  who  had  been  with 
Moroni  in  the  more  part  of  all  his  battles;  and  he  was  a  man 
like  unto  Moroni;  and  they  rejoiced  in  each  other's  safety; 
yea,  they  were  beloved  by  each  other,  and  also  beloved  by  all 
the  people  of  Nephi. 

53  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  after  the  Lamanites  had 
finished  burying  their  dead,  and  also  the  dead  of  the  Nephites, 
they  were  marched  back  into  the  land  Bountiful; 

54  And  Teancum,  by  the  orders  of  Moroni,  caused  that 
they  should  commence  laboring  in  digging  a  ditch  round  about 
the  land,  or  the  city  Bountiful; 

55  And  he  caused  that  they  should  build  a  breastwork  of 
timbers  upon  the  inner  bank  of  the  ditch;  and  they  cast  up 
dirt  out  of  the  ditch  against  the  breastwork  of  timbers; 

56  And  thus  they  did  cause  the  Lamanites  to 'labor,  until 
they  had  encircled  the  city  of  Bountiful  round  about  with  a 
strong  wall  of  timbers  and  earth,  to  an  exceeding  height. 

57  And  this  city  became  an  exceeding  stronghold  ever 
after;  and  in  this  city  they  did  guard  the  prisoners  of  the 
Lamanites;  yea,  even  within  a  wall,  which  they  had  caused 
them  to  build  with  their  own  hands. 

58  Now  Moroni  was  compelled  to  cause  the  Lamanites  to 
labor,  because  it  were  easy  to  guard  them  while  at  their 
labor;  and  he  desired  all  his  forces,  when  he  should  make  an 
attack  upon  the  Lamanites. 

59  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Moroni  had  thus  gained  a 
victory  over  one  of  the  greatest  of  the  armies  of  the  Laman- 
ites, and  had  obtained  possession  of  the  city  Mulek,  which 
was  one  of  the  strongest  holds  of  the  Lamanites  in  the  land 
of  Nephi ;  and  thus  he  had  also  built  a  stronghold  to  retain  his 
prisoners. 

60  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  did  no  more  attempt  a 
battle  with  the  Lamanites  in  that  year;  but  he  did  employ  his 


CHAP.  24.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  501 

men  in  preparing  for  war:  yea,  and  in  making  fortifications 
to  guard  against  the  Lamanites;  yea,  and  also  delivering 
their  women  and  their  children  from  famine  and  affliction, 
and  providing  food  for  their  armies. 

61  1[And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  the  armies  of  the  La- 
manites, on  the  west  sea,  south,  while  in  the  absence  of 
Moroni,  on  account  of  some  intrigue  amongst  the  Nephites, 
which  caused  dissensions  amongst  them,  had  gained  some 
ground  over  the  Nephites,  yea,  insomuch  that  they  had  ob- 
tained possession  of  a  number  of  their  cities  in  that  part  of 
the  land; 

62  And  thus  because  of  iniquity  amongst  themselves,  yea, 
because  of  dissension  and  intrigue  among  themselves,  they 
were  placed  in  the  most  dangerous  circumstances. 

63  ^And  now  behold,  I  have  somewhat  to  say  concerning 
the  people  of  Ammon,  who,  in  the  beginning  were  Lamanites; 
but  by  Ammon  and  his  brethren,  or  rather  by  the  power  and 
word  of  God,  they  had  been  converted  unto  the  Lord; 

64  And  they  had  been  brought  down  into  the  land  of  Zara- 
hemla,  and  had  ever  since  been  protected  by  the  Nephites; 
and  because  of  their  oath,  they  had  been  kept  from  taking 
up  arms  against  their  brethren; 

65  For  they  had  taken  an  oath,  that  they  never  would  shed 
blood  more;  and  according  to  their  oath,  they  would  have  per- 
ished; yea,  they  would  have  suffered  themselves  to  have  fallen 
into  the  hands  of  their  brethren,  had  it  not  been  for  the  pity 
and  the  exceeding  love  which  Ammon  and  his  brethren  had 
had  for  them; 

66  And  for  this  cause,  they  were  brought  down  into  the 
land  of  Zarahemla;  and  they  ever  had  been  protected  by  the 
Nephites. 

67  TJBut  it  came  to  pass  that  when  they  saw  the  danger, 
and  the  many  afflictions  and  tribulations  which  the  Nephites 
bore  for  them,  they  were  moved  with  compassion,  and  were 
desirous  to  take  up  arms  in  defense  of  their  •  country. 

68  But  behold,  as  they  were  about  to  take  their  weapons 
of  war,  they  were  overpowered  by  the  persuasions  of  Hela- 


502  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  24. 

man  and  his  brethren,  for  they  were  about  to  break  the  oath 
which  they  had  made; 

69  And  Helaman  feared  lest  by  so  doing,  they  should  lose 
their  souls;  therefore  all  those  who  had  entered  into  this 
covenant,  were  compelled  to  behold  their  brethren  wade 
through  their  afflictions,  in  their  dangerous  circumstances, 
at  this  time. 

70  But  behold,  it  came  to  pass  they  had  many  sons,  who 
had  not  entered  into  a  covenant  that  they  would  not  take 
their  weapons  of  war  to  defend  themselves  against  their  ene- 
mies; 

71  Therefore  they  did  assemble  themselves  together  at  this 
time,  as  many  as  were  able  to  take  up  arms;  and  they  called 
themselves  Nephites; 

72  And  they  entered  into  a  covenant,  to  fight  for  the  lib- 
erty of  the  Nephites;  yea,  to  protect  the  land  unto  the  laying 
down  of  their  lives; 

73  Yea,  even  they  covenanted  that  they  never  would  give 
up  their  liberty,  but  they  would  fight  in  all  cases  to  protect 
the  Nephites  and  themselves  from  bondage. 

74  ^Now  behold,  there  were  two  thousand  of  those  young 
men  who  entered  into  this  covenant,  and  took  their  weapons 
of  war  to  defend  their  country. 

75  And  now  behold,  as  they  never  had  hitherto  been  a  dis- 
advantage to  the  Nephites,  they  became  now  at  this  period  of 
time  also  a  great  support,  for  they  took  their  weapons  of  war, 
and  they  would  that  Helaman  should  be  their  leader. 

76  And  they  were  all  young  men,  and  they  were  exceeding 
valiant  for  courage,  and  also  for  strength  and  activity;  but 
behold,  this  was  not  all:  they  were  men  who  were  true  at  all 
times  in  whatsoever  thing  they  were  entrusted; 

77  Yea,  they  were  men  of  truth  and  soberness,  for  they 
had  been  taught  to  keep  the  commandments  of  God,  and  to 
walk  uprightly  before  him. 

78  T]And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  Helaman  did  march  at 
the  head  of  his  two  thousand  stripling  soldiers,  to  the  sup- 
port of  the  people  in  the  borders  of  the  land  on  the  south  by 
the  west  sea. 


CHAP.  25.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  503 

79  And  thus  ended  the  twenty  and  eighth  year  of  the  reign 
of  the  Judges  over  the  people  of  Nephi,  etc. 


CHAPTER  25. 

1  l[And  now  it  came  to  pass  in  the  twenty  and  ninth  year 
of  the  Judges,  that  Ammoron  sent  unto  Moroni,  desiring  that 
he  would  exchange  prisoners. 

2  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Moroni  felt  to  rejoice  exceed- 
ingly at  this  request,  for  he  desired  the  provisions  which  were 
imparted  for  the  support  of  the  Lamanite  prisoners,  for  the 
support  of  his  own  people;  and  he  also  desired  his  own  people 
for  the  strengthening  of  his  army. 

3  Now  the  Lamanites  had  taken  many  women  and  chil- 
dren; and  there  was  not  a  woman  nor  a  child  among  all  the 
prisoners  of  Moroni;  or  the  prisoners  whom  Moroni  had 
taken ; 

4  Therefore  Moroni  resolved  upon  a  stratagem,  to  obtain 
as  many  prisoners  of  the  Nephites  from  the  Lamanites,  as  it 
were  possible;  therefore  he  wrote  an  epistle,  and  sent  it  by 
the  servant  of  Ammoron,  the  same  who  had  brought  an  epis- 
tle to  Moroni. 

5  Now  these  are  the  words  which  he  wrote  unto  Ammoron, 
saying.  Behold,  Ammoron,  I  have  written  unto  you  somewhat 
concerning  this  war  which  ye  have  waged  against  my  peo- 
ple, or  rather  which  thy  brother  hath  waged  against  them, 
and  which  ye  are  still  determined  to  carry  on  after  his  death. 

6  Behold  I  would  tell  you  something  concerning  the  jus- 
tice of  God,  and  the  sword  of  his  Almighty  wrath,  which 
doth  hang  over  you,  except  ye  repent  and  withdraw  your 
armies  into  your  own  lands,  or  the  lands  of  your  possessions, 
which  is  the  land  of  Nephi ;  yea,  I  would  tell  you  these  things, 
if  ye  were  capable  of  hearkening  unto  them; 

7  Yea,  I  would  tell  you  concerning  that  awful  hell  that 
awaits  to  receive  such  murderers  as-  thou  and  thy  brother 
have  been,  except  ye  repent  and  withdraw  your  murderous 
purposes,  and  return  with  your  armies  to  your  own  lands; 

8  But   as   ye   have   once   rejected   these   things,   and   have 


504  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  25. 

fought  against  the  people  of  the  Lord,  even  so  I  may  expect 
you  will  do  it  again. 

9  IJAnd  now  behold,  we  are  prepared  to  receive  you;  yea, 
and  except  ye  withdraw  your  purposes,  behold,  ye  will  pull 
down  the  wrath  of  that  God  whom  you  have  rejected,  upon 
you,  even  to  your  utter  destruction; 

10  But  as  the  Lord  liveth,  our  armies  shall  come  upon  you, 
except  ye  withdraw,  and  ye  shall  soon  be  visited  with  death, 
for  we  will  retain  our  cities  and  our  lands;  yea,  and  we  will 
maintain  our  religion  and  the  cause  of  our  God. 

11  But  behold,  it  supposeth  me  that  I  talk  to  you  concern- 
ing these  things  in  vain;  or  it  supposeth  me  that  thou  art  a 
child  of  hell;  therefore,  I  will  close  my  epistle,  by  telling  you 
that  I  will  not  exchange  prisoners,  save  it  be  on  conditions 
that  ye  will  deliver  up  a  man,  and  his  wife,  and  his  children, 
for  one  prisoner;  if  this  be  the  case  that  ye  will  do  it,  I  will 
exchange. 

12  And  behold,  if  ye  do  not  this,  I  will  come  against  you 
with  my  armies;  yea,  even  I  will  arm  my  women  and  my 
children,  and  I  will  come  against  you,  and  I  will  follow  you 
even  into  your  own  land,  which  is  the  land  of  our  first  inher- 
itance; yea,  and  it  shall  be  blood  for  blood;  yea,  life  for  life; 
and  I  will  give  you  battle,  even  until  you  are  destroyed  from 
off  the  face  of  the  earth. 

13  Behold,  I  am  in  my  anger,  and  also  my  people;  ye  have 
sought  to  murder  us,  and  we  have  only  sought  to  defend  our- 
selves. 

14  But  behold,  if  ye  seek  to  destroy  us  more,  we  will  seek 
to  destroy  you;  yea,  and  we  will  seek  our  land,  the  lands  of 
our  first  inheritance. 

15  Now  I  close  my  epistle.  I  am  Moroni;  I  am  a  leader  of 
the  people  of  the  Nephites. 

16  TJNow  it  came  to  pass  that  Ammoron,  when  he  had  re- 
ceived this  epistle  he  was  angry;  and  he  wrote  another  epis- 
tle unto  Moroni;  and  these  are  the  words  which  he  wrote, 
saying,  I  am  Ammoron  the  king  of  the  Lamanites;  I  am  the 
brother  of  Amalickiah,  whom  ye  have  murdered. 

17  Behold,  I  will  avenge  his  blood  upon  you;  yea,  and  I 


CHAP.  25.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  505 

will   come  upon  you  with  my  armies,  for  I  fear  not  your 
threatenings. 

18  For  behold,  your  fathers  did  wrong  their  brethren,  inso- 
much that  they  did  rob  them  of  their  right  to  the  government, 
when  it  rightly  belonged  unto  them. 

19  And  now  behold,  if  ye  will  lay  down  your  arms,  and 
subject  yourselves  to  be  governed  by  those  to  whom  the  gov- 
ernment doth  rightly  belong,  then  will  I  cause  that  my  people 
shall  lay  down  their  weapons,  and  shall  be  at  war  no  more. 

20  Behold,  ye  have  breathed  out  many  threatenings  against 
me  and  my  people:  but  behold,  we  fear  not  your  threaten- 
ings; 

21  Nevertheless,  I  will  grant  to  exchange  prisoners  accord- 
ing to  your  request,  gladly,  that  I  may  preserve  my  food  for 
my  men  of  war; 

22  And  we  will  wage  a  war  which  shall  be  eternal,  either 
to  the  subjecting  the  Nephites  to  our  authority,  or  to  their 
eternal  extinction. 

23  And  as  concerning  that  God  whom  ye  say  we  have  re- 
jected, behold,  we  know  not  such  a  being;  neither  do  ye;  but 
if  it  so  be  that  there  is  such  a  being,  we  know  not  but  that 
he  hath  made  us  as  well  as  you; 

24  And  if  it  so  be  that  there  is  a  devil  and  a  hell,  behold, 
will  he  not  send  you  there,  to  dwell  with  my  brother,  whom 
ye  have  murdered,  whom  ye  have  hinted  that  he  hath  gone  to 
such  a  place?     But  behold,  these  things  mattereth  not. 

25  I  am  Ammoron,  and  a  descendant  of  Zoram,  whom  your 
fathers  pressed  and  brought  out  of  Jerusalem.  And  behold, 
now,  I  am  a  bold  Lamanite. 

26  Behold,  this  war  hath  been  waged,  to  avenge  their 
wrongs,  and  to  maintain  and  to  obtain  their  rights  to  the 
government;  and  I  close  my  epistle  to  Moroni. 

27  TJNow  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Moroni  had  received 
this  epistle,  he  was  more  angry,  because  he  knew  that  Am- 
moron had  a  perfect  knowledge  of  his  fraud;  yea,  he  knew 
that  Ammoron  knew  that  it  was  not  a  just  cause  that  had 
caused  him  to  wage  a  war  against  the  people  of  Nephi. 

28  And  he  said.  Behold,  I  will  not  exchange  prisoners  with 


506  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  25. 

Ammoron,  save  he  will  withdraw  his  purpose,  as  I  have  stated 
in  my  epistle;  for  I  will  not  grant  unto  him  that  he  shall 
have  any  more  power  than  what  he  hath  got. 

29  Behold,  I  know  the  place  where  the  Lamanites  doth 
guard  my  people,  whom  they  have  taken  prisoners;  and  as 
Ammoron  would  not  grant  unto  me  mine  epistle,  behold,  I  will 
give  unto  him  according  to  my  words;  yea,  I  will  seek  death 
among  them,  until  they  shall  sue  for  peace. 

30  And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Moroni  had  said 
these  words,  he  caused  that  a  search  should  be  made  among 
his  men,  that  perhaps  he  might  find  a  man  who  was  a  de- 
scendant of  Laman  among  them. 

31  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  found  one,  whose  name 
was  Laman;  and  he  was  one  of  the  servants  of  the  king  who 
was  murdered  by  Amalickiah. 

32  Now  Moroni  caused  that  Laman  and  a  small  number  of 
his  men,  should  go  forth  unto  the  guards  who  were  over  the 
Nephites. 

33  Now  the  Nephites  were  guarded  in  the  city  of  Gid; 
therefore  Moroni  appointed  Laman,  and  caused  that  a  small 
number  of  men  should  go  with  him. 

34  ^And  when  it  was  evening,  Laman  went  to  the  guards 
who  were  over  the  Nephites,  and  behold,  they  saw  him  com- 
ing, and  they  hailed  him. 

35  But  he  saith  unto  them,  Fear  not.  Behold,  I  am  a  La- 
manite.  Behold  we  have  escaped  from  the  Nephites,  and 
they  sleepeth;  and  behold,  we  have  took  of  their  wine,  and 
brought  with  us. 

36  Now  when  the  Lamanites  heard  these  words,  they  re- 
ceived him  with  joy.  And  they  said  unto  him,  Give  us  of 
your  wine,  that  we  may  drink;  we  are  glad  that  ye  have  thus 
taken  wine  with  you,  for  we  are  weary.  , 

37  But  Laman  said  unto  them.  Let  us  keep  of  our  wine,  till 
we  go  against  the  Nephites  to  battle.  But  this  saying  only 
made  them  more  desirous  to  drink  of  the  wine. 

38  For,  said  they.  We  are  weary;  therefore  let  us  take  of 
the  wine,  and  by  and  by  we  shall  receive  wine  for  our  rations, 
which  will  strengthen  us  to  go  against  the  Nephites.     And 


CHAP.  25.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  507 

Laman  said  unto  them,  You  may  do  according  to  your  desires. 

39  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  take  of  the  wine 
freely,  and  it  was  pleasant  to  their  taste;  therefore  they  took 
of  it  more  freely;  and  it  was  strong,  having  been  prepared 
in  its  strength. 

40  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  drink  and  were 
merry,  and  by  and  by  they  were  all  drunken. 

41  And  now  when  Laman  and  his  men  saw  that  they  were 
all  drunken,  and  were  in  a  deep  sleep,  they  returned  to 
Moroni,  and  told  him  all  the  things  that  had  happened.  And 
now  this  was  according  to  the  design  of  Moroni. 

42  And  Moroni  had  prepared  his  men  with  weapons  of 
war;  and  he  sent  to  the  city  of  Gid,  while  the  Lamanites 
were  in  a  deep  sleep,  and  drunken,  and  cast  in  the  weapons 
of  war  in  unto  the  prisoners,  insomuch  that  they  were  all 
armed;  yea,  even  to  their  women,  and  all  those  of  their  chil- 
dren, as  many  as  were  able  to  use  a  weapon  of  war;  when 
Moroni  had  armed  all  those  prisoners. 

43  And  all  those  things  were  done  in  a  profound  silence. 
But  had  they  awoke  the  Lamanites,  behold  they  were  drunken, 
and  the  Nephites  could  have  slain  them. 

44  But  behold  this  was  not  the  desire  of  Moroni.  He  did 
not  delight  in  murder  or  bloodshed;  but  he  delighted  in  the 
saving  of  his  people  from  destruction;  and  for  this  cause  he 
might  not  bring  upon  him  injustice,  he  would  not  fall  upon 
the  Lamanites  and  destroy  them  in  their  drunkenness. 

45  But  he  had  obtained  his  desires;  for  he  had  armed  those 
prisoners  of  the  Nephites  who  were  within  the  wall  of  the 
city,  and  had  gave  them  power  to  gain  possession  of  those 
parts  which  were  within  the  walls; 

4G  And  then  he  caused  the  men  who  were  with  him,  to 
withdraw  a  pace  from  them,  and  surround  the  armies  of  the 
Lamanites. 

47  Now  behold,  this  was  done  in  the  night  time,  so  that 
when  the  Lamanites  awoke  in  the  morning,  they  beheld  that 
they  were  surrounded  by  the  Nephites  without,  and  that  their 
prisoners  were  armed  within. 

48  And  thus  they  saw  that  the  Nephites  had  power  over 


508  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  25. 

them;  and  in  these  circumstances  they  found  that  it  was  r»ct 
expedient  that  they  should  fight  with  the  Nephites; 

49  Therefore  their  chief  captains  demanded  their  weapons 
of  war,  and  they  brought  them  forth,  and  cast  them  at  the 
feet  of  the  Nephites,  pleading  for  mercy.  Now  behold,  this 
was  the  desire  of  Moroni. 

50  He  took  them  prisoners  of  war,  and  took  possession  of 
the  city,  and  caused  that  all  the  prisoners  should  be  liberated, 
who  were  Nephites;  and  they  did  join  the  army  of  Moroni, 
and  were  a  great  strength  to  his  army. 

51  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  did  cause  the  Lamanites 
whom  he  had  taken  prisoners,  that  they  should  commence  a 
labor  in  strengthening  the  fortifications  round  about  the  city 
Gid. 

52  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  he  had  fortified  the  city 
Gid,  according  to  his  desires,  he  caused  that  his  prisoners 
should  be  taken  to  the  city  Bountiful. 

53  And  he  also  guarded  that  city  with  an  exceeding  strong 
force. 

54  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did,  notwithstanding  all 
the  intrigues  of  the  Lamanites,  keep  and  protect  all  the  pris- 
oners whom  they  had  taken,  and  also  maintain  all  the  ground 
and  the  advantage  which  they  had  retaken. 

55  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Nephites  began  again  to 
be  victorious,  and  to  reclaim  their  rights  and  their  privileges. 

56  Many  times  did  the  Lamanites  attempt  to  encircle  them 
about  by  night,  but  in  these  attempts  they  did  lose  many 
prisoners. 

57  And  many  times  did  they  attempt  to  administer  of  their 
wine  to  the  Nephites,  that  they  might  destroy  them  with 
poison  or  with  drunkenness. 

58  But  behold,  the  Nephites  were  not  slow  to  remember  the 
Lord  their  God,  in  this  their  times  of  affliction. 

59  They  could  not  be  taken  in  their  snares;  yea,  they  would 
not  partake  of  their  wine;  yea,  they  would  not  partake  of 
wine,  save  they  had  firstly  given  to  some  of  the  Lamanite 
prisoners. 

60  And  they  were  thus  cautious,  that  no  poison  should  be 


CHAP.  26.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  509 

administered  among  them;  for  if  their  wine  would  poison  a 
Lamanite,  it  would  also  poison  a  Nephite;  and  thus  they  did 
try  all  their  liquors. 

61  And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  it  was  expedient  for 
Moroni  to  make  preparations  to  attack  the  city  Morianton. 

62  For  behold,  the  Lamanites  had,  by  their  labors,  fortified 
the  city  Morianton  until  it  had  become  an  exceeding  strong- 
hold; and  they  were  continually  bringing  new  forces  into  that 
city,  and  also  new  supplies  of  provisions. 

63  And  thus  ended  the  twenty  and  ninth  year  of  the  reign 
of  the  Judges  over  the  people  of  Nephi. 


CHAPTER  26. 

1  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  in  the  commencement  of  the 
thirtieth  year  of  the  reign  of  the  Judges,  in  the  second  day, 
on  the  first  month,  Moroni  received  an  epistle  from  Helaman, 
stating  the  affairs  of  the  people  in  that  quarter  of  the  land. 

2  And  these  are  the  words  which  he  wrote,  saying.  My 
dearly  beloved  brother,  Moroni,  as  well  in  the  Lord  as  in  the 
tribulations  of  our  warfare;  behold,  my  beloved  brother,  I 
have  somewhat  to  tell  you  concerning  our  warfare  in  this 
part  of  the  land. 

3  Behold,  two  thousand  of  the  sons  of  those  men  whom 
Ammon  brought  down  out  of  the  land  of  Nephi. 

4  Now  ye  have  known  that  these  were  a  descendant  of  La- 
man,  who  was  the  eldest  son  of  our  father  Lehi. 

5  Now  I  need  not  rehearse  unto  you  concerning  their  tra- 
ditions or  their  unbelief,  for  thou  knowest  concerning  all  these 
things;  therefore  it  supposeth  me  that  I  tell  you  that  two 
thousand  of  these  young  men  have  taken  their  weapons  of 
war,  and  would  that  I  should  be  their  leader;  and  we  have 
come  forth  to  defend  our  country. 

6  And  now  ye  also  know  concerning  the  covenant  which 
their  fathers  made,  that  they  would  not  take  up  their  weapons 
of  war  against  their  brethren,  to  shed  blood. 

7  But  in  the  twenty  and  sixth  year,  when  they  saw  our 
afflictions  and  our  tribulations  for  them,  they  were  about  to 


510  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  26. 

break  the  covenant  which  they  had  made,  and  take  up  their 
weapons  of  war  in  our  defense. 

8  But  I  would  not  suffer  them  that  they  should  break  this 
covenant  which  they  had  made,  supposing  that  God  would 
strengthen  us,  insomuch  that  we  should  not  suffer  more  be- 
cause of  the  fulfilling  the  oath  which  they  had  taken. 

9  But  behold,  here  is  one  thing  in  which  we  may  have  great 

joy. 

10  For  behold,  in  the  twenty  and  sixth  year,  I  Helaman, 
did  march  at  the  head  of  these  two  thousand  young  men,  to 
the  city  of  Judea,  to  assist  Antipus,  whom  ye  had  appointed 
a  leader  over  the  people  of  that  part  of  the  land. 

11  And  I  did  join  my  two  thousand  sons  (for  they  are 
worthy  to  be  called  sons)  to  the  army  of  Antipus;  in  which 
strength  Antipus  did  rejoice  exceedingly;  for  behold,  his 
army  had  been  reduced  by  the  Lamanites  because  their  forces 
had  slain  a  vast  number  of  our  men;  for  which  cause  we 
have  to  mourn. 

12  Nevertheless,  we  may  console  ourselves  in  this  point: 
that  they  have  died  in  the  cause  of  their  country  and  of  their 
God,  yea,  and  they  are  happy. 

13  And  the  Lamanites  had  also  retained  many  prisoners, 
all  of  whom  are  chief  captains;  for  none  other  have  they 
spared  alive. 

14  And  we  suppose  that  they  are  now  at  this  time  in  the 
land  of  Nephi;  it  is  so  if  they  are  not  slain. 

15  And  now  these  are  the  cities  which  the  Lamanites  have 
obtained  possession,  by  the  shedding  of  the  blood  of  so  many 
of  our  valiant  men :  The  land  of  Manti,  or  the  city  of  Manti, 
and  the  city  of  Zeezrom,  and  the  city  of  Cumeni,  and  the  city 
of  Antiparah. 

16  And  these  are  the  cities  which  they  possessed  when  I 
arrived  at  the  city  of  Judea;  and  I  found  Antipus  and  his 
men  toiling  with  their  mights  to  fortify  the  city; 

17  Yea,  and  they  were  depressed  in  body  as  well  as  in 
spirit;  for  they  had  fought  valiantly  by  day,  and  toiled  by 
night,  to  maintain  their  cities;  and  thus  they  had  suffered 
great  afflictions  of  every  kind. 


CHAP.  26.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  511 

18  And  now  they  were  determined  to  conquer  in  this  place, 
or  die;  therefore  you  may  well  suppose  that  this  little  force 
which  I  brought  with  me;  yea,  those  sons  of  mine,  gave  them 
great  hopes  and  much  joy. 

19  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  the  Lamanites  saw 
that  Antipus  had  received  a  greater  strength  to  his  army, 
they  were  compelled,  by  the  orders  of  Ammoron,  to  not  come 
against  the  city  of  Judea,  or  against  us,  to  battle. 

20  And  thus  were  we  favored  of  the  Lord:  for  had  they 
come  upon  us  in  this  our  weakness,  they  might  have  perhaps 
destroyed  our  little  army:    but  thus  were  we  preserved. 

21  They  were  commanded  by  Ammoron  to  maintain  those 
cities  which  they  had  taken.  And  thus  ended  the  twenty  and 
sixth  year. 

22  And  in  the  commencement  of  the  twenty  and  seventh 
year,  we  had  prepared  our  city  and  ourselves  for  defense. 

23  Now  we  were  desirous  that  the  Lamanites  should  come 
upon  us;  for  we  were  not  desirous  to  make  an  attack  upon 
them  in  their  strongholds. 

24  And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  kept  spies  out  round  about, 
to  watch  the  movements  of  the  Lamanites,  that  they  might 
not  pass  us  by  night,  nor  by  day,  to  make  an  attack  upon  our 
other  cities,  which  were  on  the  northward; 

25  For  we  knew  in  those  cities  they  were  not  sufficiently 
strong  to  meet  them;  therefore  we  were  desirous,  if  they 
should  pass  by  us,  to  fall  upon  them  in  their  rear,  and  thus 
bring  them  up  in  the  rear,  at  the  same  time  they  were  met 
in  the  front. 

26  We  supposed  that  we  could  overpower  them;  but  be- 
hold, we  were  disappointed  in  this  our  desire. 

27  They  durst  not  pass  by  us  with  their  whole  army; 
neither  durst  they  with  a  part,  lest  they  should  not  be  suffi- 
ciently strong,  and  they  should  fall. 

28  Neither  durst  they  march  down  against  the  city  of  Zara- 
hemla;  neither  durst  they  cross  the  head  of  Sidon,  over  to  the 
city  of  Nephihah. 

29  And  thus,  with  their  forces,  they  were  determined  to 
maintain  those  cities  which  they  had  taken. 


512  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  26. 

30  HAnd  now  it  came  to  pass,  in  the  second  month  of  this 
year,  there  was  brought  unto  us  many  provisions,  from  the 
fathers  of  those  my  two  thousand  sons. 

31  And  also  there  was  sent  two  thousand  men  unto  us, 
from  the  land  of  Zarahemla. 

32  And  thus  we  were  prepared  with  ten  thousand  men,  and 
provisions  for  them,  and  also  for  their  wives,  and  their  chil- 
dren. 

33  And  the  Lamanites,  thus  seeing  our  forces  increase 
daily,  and  provisions  arrive  for  our  support,  they  began  to  be 
fearful,  and  began  to  sally  forth,  if  it  were  possible,  to  put 
an  end  to  our  receiving  provisions  and  strength. 

34  Now  when  we  sav/  that  the  Lamanites  began  to  grow 
uneasy  on  this  wise,  we  were  desirous  to  bring  a  stratagem 
into  effect  upon  them: 

35  Therefore  Antipus  ordered  that  I  should  march  forth 
with  my  little  sons,  to  a  neighboring  city,  as  if  we  were  carry- 
ing provisions  to  a  neighboring  city. 

36  And  we  were  to  march  near  the  city  of  Antiparah,  as  if 
we  were  going  to  the  city  beyond,  in  the  borders  by  the  sea- 
shore. 

37  And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  march  forth,  as  if  with 
our  provisions,  to  go  to  that  city. 

38  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Antipus  did  march  forth,  with 
a  part  of  his  army,  leaving  the  remainder  to  maintain  the  city. 

39  But  he  did  not  march  forth,  until  I  had  gone  forth  with 
my  little  army,  and  came  near  the  city  Antiparah. 

40  And  now  in  the  city  Antiparah,  were  stationed  the 
strongest  army  of  the  Lamanites;  yea,  the  most  numerous. 

41  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  they  had  been  informed 
by  their  spies,  they  came  forth  with  their  army,  and  marched 
against  us. 

42  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  flee  before  them,  north- 
ward. 

43  And  thus  we  did  lead  away  the  most  powerful  army  of 
the  Lamanites;  yea,  even  to  a  considerable  distance,  insomuch 
that  when  they  saw  the  army  of  Antipus  pursuing  them,  with 


CHAP.  26.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  513 

their  mights,  they  did  not  turn  to  the  right  nor  to  the  left, 
but  pursued  their  march  in  a  straight  course  after  us: 

44  And,  as  we  suppose,  it  was  their  intent  to  slay  us  be- 
fore Antipus  should  overtake  them,  and  this  that  they  might 
not  be  surrounded  by  our  people. 

45  And  now  Antipus,  beholding  our  danger,  did  speed  the 
march  of  his  army. 

46  But  behold,  it  was  night;  therefore  they  did  not  over- 
take us,  neither  did  Antipus  overtake  them;  therefore  we  did 
camp  for  the  night. 

47  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  before  the  dawn  of  the  morn- 
ing, behold,  the  Lamanites  were  pursuing  us. 

48  Now  we  were  not  sufficiently  strong  to  contend  with 
them;  yea,  I  would  not  suffer  that  my  little  sons  should  fall 
into  their  hands;  therefore  we  did  continue  our  march;  and 
we  took  our  march  into  the  wilderness. 

49  Now  they  durst  not  turn  to  the  right  nor  to  the  left, 
lest  they  should  be  surrounded:  neither  would  I  turn  to  the 
right  or  to  the  left,  lest  they  should  overtake  me,  and  we 
could  not  stand  against  them,  but  be  slain,  and  they  would 
make  their  escape;  and  thus  we  did  flee  all  that  day  into  the 
wilderness,  even  until  it  was  dark. 

50  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  again  when  the  light  of  the 
morning  came,  we  saw  the  Lamanites  upon  us,  and  we  did 
flee  before  them. 

51  But  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  not  pursue  us  far,  be- 
fore they  halted;  and  it  was  in  the  morning  of  the  third 
day,  on  the  seventh  month. 

52  And  now  whether  they  were  overtaken  by  Antipus,  we 
knew  not;  but  I  said  unto  my  men.  Behold,  we  know  not  but 
they  have  halted  for  the  purpose  that  we  should  come  against 
them,  that  they  might  catch  us  in  their  snare;  therefore  what 
say  ye,  my  sons,  will  ye  go  against  them  to  battle? 

53  And  now  I  say  unto  you  my  beloved  brother,  Moroni, 
that  never  had  I  seen  so  great  courage,  nay,  not  amongst  all 
the  Nephites. 

54  For  as  I  had  ever  called  them  my  sons,  (for  they  were 
all  of  them  very  young,)   even  so  they  said  unto  me.  Father, 


514  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  26. 

behold,  our  God  is  with  us,  and  he  will  not  suffer  that  we  shall 
fall;  then  let  us  go  forth; 

55  We  would  not  slay  our  brethren,  if  they  would  let  us 
alone;  therefore  let  us  go,  lest  they  should  overpower  the 
army  of  Antipus. 

56  Now  they  never  had  fought,  yet  they  did  not  fear  death : 
and  they  did  think  more  upon  the  liberty  of  their  fathers, 
than  they  did  upon  their  lives;  yea,  they  had  been  taught  by 
their  mothers,  that  if  they  did  not  doubt,  that  God  would  de- 
liver them. 

57  And  they  rehearsed  unto  me  the  words  of  their  mothers, 
saying,  We  do  not  doubt  our  mothers  knew. 

58  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  I  did  return  with  my  two 
thousand,  against  these  Lamanites  who  had  pursued  us. 

59  And  now  behold,  the  armies  of  Antipus  had  overtaken 
them,  and  a  terrible  battle  had  commenced. 

60  The  army  of  Antipus  being  weary,  because  of  their  long 
march  in  so  short  a  space  of  time,  were  about  to  fall  into  the 
hands  of  the  Lamanites;  and  had  I  not  returned  with  my 
two  thousand,  they  would  have  obtained  their  purpose; 

61  For  Antipus  had  fallen  by  the  sword,  and  many  of  his 
leaders,  because  of  their  weariness,  which  was  occasioned  by 
the  speed  of  their  march;  therefore  the  men  of  Antipus  being 
confused,  because  of  the  fall  of  their  leaders,  began  to  give 
way  before  the  Lamanites. 

62  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lamanites  took  courage, 
and  began  to  pursue  them;  and  thus  were  the  Lamanites  pur- 
suing them  with  great  vigor,  when  Helaman  came  upon  their 
rear  with  his  two  thousand,  and  began  to  slay  them  exceed- 
ingly, insomuch  that  the  whole  army  of  the  Lamanites  halted, 
and  turned  upon  Helaman. 

63  Now  when  the  people  of  Antipus  saw  that  the  La- 
manites had  turned  them  about,  they  gathered  together  their 
men,  and  came  again  upon  the  rear  of  the  Lamanites. 

64  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  we,  the  people  of  Ne- 
phi,  the  people  of  Antipus,  and  I  with  my  two  thousand,  did 
surround  the  Lamanites,  and  did  slay  them;  yea,  insomuch 


CHAP.  26.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  515 

that  they  were  compelled  to  deliver  up  their  weapons  of  war, 
and  also  themselves  as  prisoners  of  war. 

65  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  they  had  surren- 
dered themselves  up  unto  us,  behold,  I  numbered  those  young 
men  who  had  fought  with  me,  fearing  lest  there  were  many 
of  them  slain. 

66  But  behold,  to  my  great  joy,  there  had  not  one  soul  of 
them  fallen  to  the  earth;  yea,  and  they  had  fought  as  if  with 
the  strength  of  God;  yea,  never  was  men  known  to  have 
fought  with  such  miraculous  strength; 

67  And  with  such  mighty  power  did  they  fall  upon  the  La- 
manites,  that  they  did  frighten  them;  and  for  this  cause  did 
the  Lamanites  deliver  themselves  up  as  prisoners  of  war. 

68  And  as  we  had  no  place  for  our  prisoners,  that  we 
could  guard  them  to  keep  them  from  the  armies  of  the  La- 
manites, therefore  we  sent  them  to  the  land  of  Zarahemla, 
and  a  part  of  those  men  who  were  not  slain  of  Antipus,  with 
them; 

69  And  the  remainder  I  took  and  joined  them  to  my  strip- 
ling Ammonites,  and  took  our  march  back  to  the  city  of  Judea. 

70  IJAnd  now  it  came  to  pass  that  I  received  an  epistle 
from  Ammoron,  the  king,  stating  that  if  I  would  deliver  up 
those  prisoners  of  war  whom  we  had  taken,  that  he  would 
deliver  up  the  city  of  Antiparah  unto  us. 

71  But  I  sent  an  epistle  unto  the  king,  that  we  were  sure 
our  forces  were  sufficient  to  take  the  city  of  Antiparah  by 
our  force;  and  by  delivering  up  the  prisoners  for  that  city, 
we  should  suppose  ourselves  unwise,  and  that  we  would  only 
deliver  up  our  prisoners  on  exchange. 

72  And  Ammoron  refused  mine  epistle,  for  he  would  not 
exchange  prisoners;  therefore  we  began  to  make  prepara- 
tions to  go  against  the  city  of  Antiparah. 

73  But  the  people  of  Antiparah  did  leave  the  city,  and  fled 
to  their  other  cities  which  they  had  possession  of,  to  fortify 
them;  and  thus  the  city  of  Antiparah  fell  into  our  hands. 

74  And  thus  ended  the  twenty  and  eighth  year  of  the  reign 
of  the  Judges. 

75  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  in  the  commencement  of  the 


516  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  26. 

twenty  and  ninth  year,  we  received  a  supply  of  provisions,  and 
also  an  addition  to  our  army,  from  the  land  of  Zarahemla, 
and  from  the  land  round  about,  to  the  number  of  six  thou- 
sand men,  besides  sixty  of  the  sons  of  the  Ammonites,  who 
had  come  to  join  their  brethren,  my  little  band  of  two  thou- 
sand. 

76  And  now  behold,  we  were  strong;  yea,  and  we  had  also 
a  plenty  of  provisions  brought  unto  us. 

77  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  it  was  our  desire  to  wage  a 
battle  with  the  army  which  was  placed  to  protect  the  city 
Cumeni. 

78  And  now  behold,  I  will  shew  unto  you  that  we  soon  ac- 
complished our  desire;  yea,  with  our  strong  force,  or  with  a 
part  of  our  strong  force,  we  did  surround,  by  night,  the  city 
Cumeni,  a  little  before  they  were  to  receive  a  supply  of  pro- 
visions. 

79  And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  camp  round  about  the 
city  for  many  nights;  but  we  did  sleep  upon  our  swords,  and 
keep  guards,  that  the  Lamanites  could  not  come  upon  us  by 
night,  and  slay  us,  which  they  attempted  many  times;  but  as 
many  times  as  they  attempted  this,  their  blood  was  spilt. 

80  At  length  their  provisions  did  arrive,  and  they  were 
about  to  enter  the  city  by  night. 

81  And  we,  instead  of  being  Lamanites,  were  Nephites; 
therefore,  we  did  take  them  and  their  provisions. 

82  And  notwithstanding  the  Lamanites  being  cut  off  from 
their  support  after  this  manner,  they  were  still  determined 
to  maintain  the  city; 

83  Therefore  it  became  expedient  that  we  should  take  those 
provisions  and  send  them  to  Judea  and  our  prisoners  to  the 
land  of  Zarahemla. 

84  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  not  many  days  had  passed 
away,  before  the  Lamanites  began  to  lose  all  hopes  of  succor; 
therefore  they  yielded  up  the  city  into  our  hands;  and  thus 
we  had  accomplished  our  designs,  in  obtaining  the  city  Cu- 
meni. 

85  But  it  came  to  pass  that  our  prisoners  were  so  numer- 
ous, that  notwithstanding  the  enormity  of  our  numbers,  we 


CHAP.  26.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  517 

were  obliged  to  employ  all  our  force  to  keep  them,  or  to  put 
them  to  death. 

86  For  behold  they  would  break  out  in  great  numbers,  and 
would  fight  with  stones,  and  with  clubs,  or  whatsoever  things 
they  could  get  into  their  hands,  insomuch  that  we  did  slay 
upwards  of  two  thousand  of  them,  after  they  had  surrendered 
themselves  prisoners  of  war; 

87  Therefore  it  became  expedient  for  us,  that  we  should 
put  an  end  to  their  lives,  or  guard  them,  sword  in  hand,  down 
to  the  land  of  Zarahemla; 

88  And  also  our  provisions  were  not  any  more  than  suffi- 
cient for  our  own  people,  notwithstanding  that  which  we  had 
taken  from  the  Lamanites. 

89  And  now,  in  those  critical  circumstances,  it  became  a 
very  serious  matter  to  determine  concerning  these  prisoners 
of  war,  nevertheless,  we  did  resolve  to  send  them  down  to  the 
land  of  Zarahemla; 

90  Therefore  we  selected  a  part  of  our  men,  and  gave  them 
charge  over  our  prisoners,  to  go  down  to  the  land  of  Zara- 
helma.  ^But  it  came  to  pass  that  on  the  morrow,  they  did 
return. 

91  And  now  behold,  we  did  not  inquire  of  them  concerning 
the  prisoners;  for  behold,  the  Lamanites  were  upon  us,  and 
they  returned  in  season  to  save  us  from  falling  into  their 
hands. 

92  For  behold,  Ammoron  had  sent  to  their  support  a  new 
supply  of  provisions,  and  also  a  numerous  army  of  men. 

93  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  those  men  whom  we  sent  with 
the  prisoners,  did  arrive  in  season  to  check  them,  as  they 
were  about  to  overpower  us. 

94  But  behold,  my  little  band  of  two  thousand  and  sixty, 
fought  most  desperately;  yea,  they  were  firm  before  the  La- 
manites, and  did  administer  death  unto  all  those  who  opposed 
them ; 

95  And  as  the  remainder  of  our  army  were  about  to  give 
way  before  the  Lamanites,  behold,  those  two  thousand  and 
sixty  were  firm  and  undaunted;  yea,  and  they  did  obey  and 
observe  to  perform  every  word  of  command  with  exactness; 


518  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  26. 

96  Yea,  and  even  according  to  their  faith,  it  was  done  unto 
them;  and  I  did  remember  the  words  which  they  said  unto  me 
that  their  mothers  had  taught  them. 

97  And  now  behold,  it  was  these,  my  sons,  and  those  men 
who  had  been  selected  to  convey  the  prisoners,  to  whom  we 
owe  this  great  victory;  for  it  was  they  who  did  beat  the  La- 
manites ;  therefore  they  were  driven  back  to  the  city  of  Manti. 

98  And  we  retained  our  city  Cumeni,  and  were  not  all  de- 
stroyed by  the  sword;  nevertheless,  we  had  suffered  great 
loss. 

99  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  after  the  Lamanites  had  fled, 
I  immediately  gave  orders  that  my  men  who  had  been 
wounded,  should  be  taken  from  among  the  dead,  and  caused 
that  their  wounds  should  be  dressed.  • 

100  And  it  came  to  pass  that  there  were  two  hundred,  out 
of  my  two  thousand  and  sixty,  who  had  fainted  because  of  the 
loss  of  blood; 

101  Nevertheless,  according  to  the  goodness  of  God,  and  to 
our  great  astonishment,  and  also  the  joy  of  our  whole  army, 
there  was  not  one  soul  of  them  who  did  perish;  yea,  and 
neither  was  there  one  soul  among  them  who  had  not  received 
many  wounds. 

102  And  now,  their  preservation  was  astonishing  to  our 
whole  army;  yea,  that  they  should  be  spared,  while  there  was 
a  thousand  of  our  brethren  who  were  slain. 

103  And  we  do  justly  ascribe  it  to  the  miraculous  power  of 
God,  because  of  their  exceeding  faith  in  that  which  they  had 
been  taught  to  believe,  that  there  was  a  just  God;  and  who- 
soever did  not  doubt,  that  they  should  be  preserved  by  his 
marvelous  power. 

104  Now  this  was  the  faith  of  these  of  whom  I  have 
spoken;  they  are  young,  and  their  minds  are  firm;  and  they 
do  put  their  trust  in  God  continually. 

105  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  after  we  had  thus  taken 
care  of  our  v/ounded  men,  and  had  buried  our  dead,  and  also 
the  dead  of  the  Lamanites,  who  were  many,  behold,  we  did 
inquire  of  Gid  concerning  the  prisoners  whom  they  had 
started  to  go  down  to  the  land  of  Zarahemla  with. 


CHAP.  26.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  519 

106  Now  Gid  was  the  chief  captain  over  the  band  which 
was  appointed  to  guard  them  down  to  the  land. 

107  And  now,  these  are  the  words  which  Gid  said  unto 
me,  Behold,  we  did  start  to  go  down  to  the  land  of  Zarahemia 
with  our  prisoners. 

108  And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  meet  the  spies  of  our 
armies,  who  had  been  sent  out  to  watch  the  camp  of  the 
Lamanites. 

109  And  they  cried  unto  us,  saying,  Behold,  the  armies  of 
the  Lamanites  are  marching  towards  the  city  of  Cumeni;  and 
behold,  they  will  fall  upon  them,  yea,  and  will  destroy  our 
people. 

110  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  our  prisoners  did  hear  their 
cries,  which  caused  them  to  take  courage;  and  they  did  rise 
up  in  rebellion  against  us. 

111  And  it  came  to  pass  because  of  their  rebellion,  we  did 
cause  that  our  swords  should  come  upon  them. 

112  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did,  in  a  body,  run  upon 
our  swords,  in  the  which,  the  greater  number  of  them  were 
slain;  and  the  remainder  of  them  broke  through  and  fled 
from  us. 

113  And  behold,  when  they  had  fled,  and  we  could  not  over- 
take them,  we  took  our  march  with  speed  towards  the  city 
Cumeni;  and  behold,  we  did  arrive  in  time  that  we  might 
assist  our  brethren  in  preserving  the  city. 

114  And  behold,  we  are  again  delivered  out  of  the  hands 
of  our  enemies. 

115  And  blessed  is  the  name  of  our  God:  for  behold,  it  is 
he  that  has  delivered  us;  yea,  that  has  done  this  great  thing 
for  us. 

116  TlNow  it  came  to  pass  that  when  I,  Helaman,  had  heard 
these  words  of  Gid,  I  was  filled  with  exceeding  joy,  because 
of  the  goodness  of  God  in  preserving  us,  that  we  might  not  all 
perish ; 

117  Yea,  and  I  trust  that  the  souls  of  them  who  have  been 
slain,  have  entered  into  the  rest  of  their  God. 

118  IJAnd  behold,  now  it  came  to  pass  that  our  next  ob- 
ject was  to  obtain  the  city  of  Manti;  but  behold,  there  was  no 


520  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  26. 

way  that  we  could  lead  them  out  of  the  city,  by  our  small 
bands. 

119  For  behold  they  remembered  that  which  we  had  hith- 
erto done ;  therefore  we  could  not  decoy  them  away  from  their 
strongholds; 

120  And  they  were  so  much  more  numerous  than  was  our 
army,  that  we  durst  not  go  forth  and  attack  them  in  their 
strongholds. 

121  Yea,  and  it  became  expedient  that  we  should  employ 
our  men,  to  the  maintaining  those  parts  of  the  land,  of  the 
which  we  had  retained  of  our  possessions; 

122  Therefore  it  became  expedient  that  we  should  wait, 
that  we  might  receive  more  strength  from  the  land  of  Zara- 
hemla,  and  also  a  new  supply  of  provisions. 

123  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  I  thus  did  send  an  embassy 
to  the  governor  of  our  land,  to  acquaint  him  concerning  the 
affairs  of  our  people. 

124  And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  wait  to  receive  pro- 
visions and  strength,  from  the  land  of  Zarahemla. 

125  But  behold,  this  did  not  profit  us  but  little:  for  the 
Lamanites  were  also  receiving  great  strength,  from  day  to 
day,  and  also  many  provisions;  and  thus  were  our  circum- 
stances at  this  period  of  time. 

126  And  the  Lamanites  were  sallying  forth  against  us, 
from  time  to  time,  resolving  by  stratagem  to  destroy  us; 
nevertheless,  we  could  not  come  to  battle  with  them,  because 
of  their  retreats  and  their  strongholds. 

127  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  wait  in  these  difficult 
circumstances,  for  the  space  of  many  months,  even  until  we 
were  about  to  perish  for  the  want  of  food. 

128  But  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  receive  food,  which 
was  guarded  to  us  by  an  army  of  two  thousand  men,  to  our 
assistance; 

129  And  this  is  all  the  assistance  which  we  did  receive,  to 
defend  ourselves  and  our  country  from  falling  into  the  hands 
of  our  enemies;  yea,  to  contend  with  an  enemy  which  was 
innumerable. 

130  And  now  the  cause  of  these  our  embarrassments,  or 


CHAP.  26.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  521 

the  cause  why  they  did  not  send  more  strength  unto  us,  we 
knew  not;  therefore  we  were  grieved,  and  also  filled  with 
fear,  lest  by  any  means  the  judgments  of  God  should  come 
upon  our  land,  to  our  overthrow  and  utter  destruction; 

131  Therefore  we  did  pour  out  our  souls  in  prayer  to  God, 
that  he  would  strengthen  us  and  deliver  us  out  of  the  hands 
of  our  enemies;  yea,  and  also  give  us  strength,  that  we  might 
retain  our  cities,  and  our  lands,  and  our  possessions,  for  the 
support  of  our  people. 

132  Yea,  and  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  our  God  did 
visit  us  with  assurances,  that  he  would  deliver  us;  yea,  inso- 
much that  he  did  speak  peace  to  our  souls,  and  did  grant  unto 
us  great  faith,  and  did  cause  us  that  we  should  hope  for  our 
deliverance  in  him; 

133  And  we  did  take  courage  with  our  small  force  which 
we  had  received,  and  were  fixed  with  a  determination  to 
conquer  our  enemies,  and  to  maintain  our  lands,  and  our  pos- 
sessions, and  our  wives,  and  our  children,  and  the  cause  of 
our  liberty. 

134  And  thus  we  did  go  forth  with  all  our  might  against 
the  Lamanites,  who  were  in  the  city  of  Manti;  and  we  did 
pitch  our  tents  by  the  wilderness  side,  which  was  near  to  the 
city. 

135  And  it  came  to  pass  that  on  the  morrow,  that  when  the 
Lamanites  saw  that  we  were  in  the  borders  by  the  wilderness 
which  was  near  the  city,  that  they  sent  out  their  spies  round 
about  us,  that  they  might  discover  the  number  and  the 
strength  of  our  army. 

136  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  they  saw  that  we 
were  not  strong,  according  to  our  numbers,  and  fearing  that 
we  should  cut  them  off  from  their  support^  except  they  should 
come  out  to  battle  against  us,  and  kill  us, 

137  And  also  supposing  that  they  could  easily  destroy  us 
with  their  numerous  hosts,  therefore  they  began  to  make 
preparations  to  come  out  against  us  to  battle. 

138  And  when  we  saw  that  they  were  making  preparations 
to  come  out  against  us,  behold,  I  caused  that  Gid,  with  a 
small  number  of  men,  should  secrete  himself  in  the  wilder- 


522  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  26. 

ness,  and  also  that  Teomner  should,  with  a  small  number  of 
men,  secrete  themselves  also  in  the  wilderness. 

139  Now  Gid  and  his  men  were  on  the  right,  and  the  oth- 
ers on  the  left;  and  when  they  had  thus  secreted  themselves, 
behold,  I  remained  with  the  remainder  of  my  army,  in  that 
same  place  where  we  had  first  pitched  our  tents,  against  the 
time  that  the  Lamanites  should  come  out  to  battle. 

140  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lamanites  did  come  out 
with  their  numerous  army  against  us. 

141  And  when  they  had  come  and  were  about  to  fall  upon 
us  with  the  sword,  I  caused  that  my  men,  those  who  were 
with  me,  should  retreat  into  the  wilderness. 

142  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lamanites  did  follow 
after  us  with  great  speed,  for  they  were  exceedingly  desirous 
to  overtake  us,  that  they  might  slay  us;  therefore  they  did 
follow  us  into  the  wilderness; 

143  And  we  did  pass  by  in  the  midst  of  Gid  and  Teomner, 
insomuch  that  they  were  not  discovered  by  the  Lamanites. 

144  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  the  Lamanites  had 
passed  by,  or  when  the  army  had  passed  by,  Gid  and  Teom- 
ner did  rise  up  from  their  secret  places,  and  did  cut  off  the 
spies  of  the  Lamanites,  that  they  should  not  return  to  the  city. 

145  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  they  had  cut  them  off, 
they  ran  to  the  city,  and  fell  upon  the  guards  who  were  left 
to  guard  the  city,  insomuch  that  they  did  destroy  them,  and 
did  take  possession  of  the  city. 

146  Now  this  was  done  because  the  Lamanites  did  suffer 
their  whole  army,  save  a  few  guards  only,  to  be  led  away 
into  the  wilderness. 

147  11  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Gid  and  Teomner,  by  this 
means,  had  obtained  possession  of  their  strongholds. 

148  And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  took  our  course,  after 
having  traveled  much  in  the  wilderness,  towards  the  land  of 
Zarahemla. 

149  And  when  the  Lamanites  saw  that  they  were  march- 
ing towards  the  land  of  Zarahemla,  they  were  exceeding 
fraid,  lest  there  was  a  plan  laid  to  lead  them  on  to  destruc- 
tion;   therefore   they   began   to    retreat    into    the   wilderness 


CHAP.  26.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  523 

again,  yea,  even  back  by  the  same  way  which  they  had  come* 

150  And  behold,  it  was  night,  and  they  did  pitch  their 
tents;  for  the  chief  captains  of  the  Lamanites  had  supposed 
that  the  Nephites  were  weary,  because  of  their  march;  and 
supposing  that  they  had  driven  their  whole  army,  therefore 
they  took  no  thought  concerning  the  city  of  Manti. 

151  TJNow  it  came  to  pass  that  when  it  was  night,  that  I 
caused  that  my  men  should  not  sleep,  but  that  they  should 
march  forward  by  another  way,  towards  the  land  of  Manti. 

152  And  because  of  this  our  march  in  the  night  time,  be- 
hold, on  the  morrow,  we  were  beyond  the  Lamanites,  inso- 
much that  we  did  arrive  before  them  to  the  city  of  Manti. 

153  And  thus  it  came  to  pass,  that  by  this  stratagem,  we 
did  take  possession  of  the  city  of  Manti,  without  the  shedding 
of  blood. 

154  II And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  the  armies  of  the  La- 
manites did  arrive  near  the  city,  and  saw  that  we  were  pre- 
pared to  meet  them,  they  were  astonished  exceedingly,  and 
struck  with  great  fear,  insomuch  that  they  did  flee  into  the 
wilderness. 

155  Yea,  and  it  came  to  pass  that  the  armies  of  the  La- 
manites did  flee  out  of  all  this  quarter  of  the  land. 

156  But  behold,  they  have  carried  with  them  many  women 
and  children  out  of  the  land. 

157  And  those  cities  which  had  been  taken  by  the  Laman- 
ites, all  of  them  are  at  this  period  of  time  in  our  possession; 
and  our  fathers,  and  our  women,  and  our  children,  are  re- 
turning to  their  homes,  all  save  it  be  those  who  have  been 
taken  prisoners  and  carried  off  by  the  Lamanites. 

158  But  behold,  our  armies  are  small,  to  maintain  so  great 
a  number  of  cities,  and  so  great  possessions. 

159  But  behold,  we  trust  that  our  God,  who  has  given  us 
victory  over  those  lands,  insomuch  that  we  have  obtained 
those  cities  and  those  lands,  which  were  our  own. 

160  Now  we  do  not  know  the  cause  that  the  government 
does  not  grant  us  more  strength;  neither  do  those  men  who 
came  up  unto  us,  know  why  we  have  not  received  greater 
strength. 


524  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  26. 

161  Behold,  we  do  not  know  but  what  ye  are  unsuccessful, 
and  ye  have  drawn  away  the  forces  into  that  quarter  of  the 
land;    if  so,  we  do  not  desire  to  murmur. 

162  And  if  it  is  not  so,  behold,  we  fear  that  there  is  some 
faction  in  the  government,  that  they  do  not  send  more  men 
to  our  assistance;  for  we  know  that  they  are  more  numerous 
than  that  which  they  have  sent. 

163  But  behold,  it  mattereth  not;  we  trust  God  will  deliver 
us,  notwithstanding  the  weakness  of  our  armies,  yea,  and 
deliver  us  out  of  the  hands  of  our  enemies. 

164  Behold,  this  is  the  twenty  and  ninth  year,  in  the  latter 
end,  and  we  are  in  the  possession  of  our  lands;  and  the  La- 
manites  have  fled  to  the  land  of  Nephi. 

165  And  those  sons  of  the  people  of  Ammon  of  whom  I 
have  so  highly  spoken,  are  with  me  in  the  city  of  Manti;  and 
the  Lord  has  supported  them,  yea,  and  kept  them  from  falling 
by  the  sword,  insomuch  that  even  one  soul  has  not  been  slain. 

166  But  behold  they  have  received  many  wounds;  neverthe- 
less they  stand  fast  in  that  liberty  wherewith  God  has  made 
them  free; 

167  And  they  are  strict  to  remember  the  Lord  their  God, 
from  day  to  day;  yea,  they  do  observe  to  keep  his  statutes, 
and  his  judgments,  and  his  commandments  continually;  and 
their  faith  is  strong  in  the  prophecies  concerning  that  which 
is  to  come. 

168  And  now  my  beloved  brother  Moroni,  that  the  Lord 
our  God  who  has  redeemed  us  and  made  us  free,  may  keep 
you  continually  in  his  presence; 

169  Yea,  and  that  he  may  favor  this  people,  even  that  ye 
may  have  success  in  obtaining  the  possession  of  all  that  which 
the  Lamanites  have  taken  from  us,  which  was  for  our  sup- 
port. 

170  And  now  behold,  I  close  mine  epistle.  I  am  Helaman, 
the  son  of  Alma. 


CHAP.  27.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  525 

CHAPTER  27. 

1  ^Now  it  came  to  pass  in  the  thirtieth  year  of  the  reign 
of  the  Judges  over  the  people  of  Nephi,  after  Moroni  had  re- 
ceived and  had  read  Helaman's  epistle,  he  was  exceedingly 
rejoiced  because  of  the  welfare,  yea,  the  exceeding  success 
which  Helaman  had  had,  in  obtaining  those  lands  which  were 
lost; 

2  Yea,  and  he  did  make  it  known  unto  all  his  people  in  all 
the  land  round  about  in  that  part  where  he  was,  that  they 
might  rejoice  also. 

3  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  immediately  sent  an  epistle 
to  Pahoran,  desiring  that  he  should  cause  men  to  be  gathered 
together,  to  strengthen  Helaman,  or  the  armies  of  Helaman, 
insomuch  that  he  might  with  ease  maintain  that  part  of  the 
land  which  he  had  been  so  miraculously  prospered  in  retain- 
ing. 

4  And  it  came  to  pass  when  Moroni  had  sent  this  epistle 
to  the  land  of  Zarahemla,  he  began  again  to  lay  a  plan,  that 
he  might  obtain  the  remainder  of  those  possessions  and  cities 
which  the  Lamanites  had  taken  from  them. 

5  And  it  came  to  pass  that  while  Moroni  was  thus  making 
preparations  to  go  against  the  Lamanites  to  battle,  behold, 
the  people  of  Nephihah  who  were  gathered  together  from  the 
city  of  Moroni,  and  the  city  of  Lehi,  and  the  city  of  Morian- 
ton,  were  attacked  by  the  Lamanites; 

6  Yea,  even  those  who  had  been  compelled  to  flee  from  the 
land  of  Manti,  and  from  the  land  round  about,  had  come  over 
and  joined  the  Lamanites  in  this  part  of  the  land; 

7  And  thus  being  exceeding  numerous,  yea,  and  receiving 
strength  from  day  to  day,  by  the  command  of  Ammoron,  they 
came  forth  against  the  people  of  Nephihah,  and  they  did  be- 
gin to  slay  them  with  an  exceeding  great  slaughter. 

8  And  their  armies  were  so  numerous,  that  the  remainder 
of  the  people  of  Nephihah  were  obliged  to  flee  before  them; 
and  they  came  even  and  joined  the  army  of  Moroni. 

9  And  now  as  Moroni  had  supposed  that  there  should  be 
men  sent  to  the  city  of  Nephihah,  to  the  assistance  of  the 


526  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  27. 

people  to  maintain  that  city,  and  knowing  that  it  was  easier 
to  keep  the  city  from  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  Lamanites, 
than  to  retake  it  from  them,  he  supposed  that  they  would 
easily  maintain  that  city; 

10  Therefore  he  retained  all  his  force  to  maintain  those 
places  which  he  had  recovered. 

11  TJAnd  now  when  Moroni  saw  that  the  city  of  Nephihah 
was  lost,  he  was  exceeding  sorrowful,  and  began  to  doubt, 
because  of  the  wickedness  of  the  people,  whether  they  should 
not  fall  into  the  hands  of  their  brethren. 

12  Now  this  was  the  case  with  all  his  chief  captains.  They 
doubted  and  marveled  also,  because  of  the  wickedness  of  the 
people;  and  this  because  of  the  success  of  the  Lamanites  over 
them. 

13  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Moroni  was  angry  with  the 
government,  because  of  their  indifference  concerning  the  free- 
dom of  their  country. 

14  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  he  wrote  again  to  the  gov- 
ernor of  the  land,  who  was  Pahoran,  and  these  are  the  words 
which  he  wrote,  saying.  Behold,  I  direct  mine  epistle  to  Pa- 
horan, in  the  city  of  Zarahemla,  who  is  the  chief  judge  and 
the  governor  over  the  land,  and  also  to  all  those  who  have 
been  chosen  by  this  people  to  govern  and  manage  the  affairs 
of  this  war; 

15  For  behold,  I  have  somewhat  to  say  unto  them  by  the 
way  of  condemnation;  for  behold,  ye  yourselves  know  that  ye 
have  been  appointed  to  gather  together  men,  and  arm  them 
with  swords,  and  with  cimeters,  and  all  manner  of  weapons 
of  war,  of  every  kind,  and  send  forth  against  the  Lamanites, 
in  whatsoever  parts  they  should  come  into  our  land. 

16  And  now  behold,  I  say  unto  you,  that  myself,  and  also 
my  men,  and  also  Helaman  and  his  men,  have  suffered  ex- 
ceeding great  sufferings;  yea,  even  hunger,  thirst,  and  fa- 
tigue, and  all  manner  of  afflictions  of  every  kind. 

17  But  behold,  were  this  all  we  had  suffered,  we  would 
not  murmur  nor  complain;  but  behold,  great  has  been  the 
slaughter  among  our  people: 

18  Yea,  thousands  have  fallen  by  the  sword,  while  it  might 


CHAP.  27.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  527 

have  otherwise  been,  if  ye  had  rendered  unto  our  armies  suf- 
ficient strength  and  succor  for  them. 

19  Yea,  great  has  been  your  neglect  towards  us.  And  now 
behold,  we  desire  to  know  the  cause  of  this  exceeding  great 
neglect;  yea,  we  desire  to  knoAV  the  cause  of  your  thoughtless 
state. 

20  Can  you  think  to  sit  upon  your  thrones,  in  a  state  of 
thoughtless  stupor,  while  your  enemies  are  spreading  the 
work  of  death  around  you? 

21  Yea,  while  they  are  murdering  thousands  of  your  breth- 
ren; yea,  even  they  who  have  looked  up  to  you  for  protection, 
yea,  have  placed  you  in  a  situation  that  ye  might  have  suc- 
cored them; 

22  Yea,  ye  might  have  sent  armies  unto  them,  to  have 
strengthened  them,  and  have  saved  thousands  of  them  from 
falling  by  the  sword! 

23  But  behold,  this  is  not  all,  ye  have  withheld  your  pro- 
visions from  them,  insomuch  that  many  have  fought  and  bled 
out  their  lives  because  of  their  great  desires  which  they  had 
for  the  welfare  of  this  people; 

24  Yea,  and  this  they  have  done,  when  they  were  about  to 
perish  with  hunger,  because  of  your  exceeding  great  neglect 
towards  them. 

25  And  now,  my  beloved  brethren;  for  ye  had  ought  to  be 
beloved;  yea,  and  ye  had  ought  to  have  stirred  yourselves 
more  diligently  for  the  welfare  and  the  freedom  of  this  peo- 
ple; 

26  But  behold,  ye  have  neglected  them,  insomuch  that  the 
blood  of  thousands  shall  come  upon  your  heads  for  venge- 
ance; yea,  for  known  unto  God  were  all  their  cries,  and  all 
their  sufferings. 

27  Behold,  could  ye  suppose  that  ye  could  sit  upon  your 
thrones,  and  because  of  the  exceeding  goodness  of  God,  ye 
could  do  nothing,  and  he  would  deliver  you?  Behold,  if  ye 
have  supposed  this,  ye  have  supposed  in  vain. 

28  Do  ye  suppose  that,  because  so  many  of  your  brethren 
have  been  killed  because  of  their  wickedness?  I  say  unto 
you,  If  ye  have  supposed  this,  ye  have  supposed  in  vain;  for 


528  BOOK    OF    ALMA.    "  [chap.  27. 

I  say  unto  you,  There  are  many  who  have  fallen  by  the  sword; 

29  And  behold,  it  is  to  your  condemnation;  for  the  Lord 
suffereth  the  righteous  to  be  slain,  that  his  justice  and  judg- 
ment may  come  upon  the  wicked;  therefore  ye  need  not  sup- 
pose that  the  righteous  are  lost  because  they  are  slain;  but 
behold,  they  do  enter  into  the  rest  of  the  Lord  their  God. 

30  And  now  behold,  I  say  unto  you,  I  fear  exceedingly 
that  the  judgments  of  God  will  come  upon  this  people,  be- 
cause of  their  exceeding  slothfulness;  yea,  even  the  slothful- 
ness  of  our  government,  and  their  exceeding  great  neglect 
towards  their  brethren,  yea,  towards  those  who  have  been 
slain : 

31  For  were  it  not  for  the  wickedness  which  first  com- 
menced at  our  head,  we  could  have  withstood  our  enemies, 
that  they  could  have  gained  no  power  over  us;  yea,  had  it 
not  been  for  the  war  which  broke  out  among  ourselves; 

32  Yea  were  it  not  for  those  king-men,  who  caused  so  much 
bloodshed  among  ourselves;  yea,  at  the  time  we  were  contend- 
ing among  ourselves,  if  we  had  united  our  strength,  as  we 
hitherto  have  done; 

33  Yea,  had  it  not  been  for  the  desire  of  power  and  au- 
thority which  those  king-men  had  over  us;  had  they  been 
true  to  the  cause  of  our  freedom,  and  united  with  us,  and 
gone  forth  against  our  enemies,  instead  of  taking  up  their 
swords  against  us,  which  was  the  cause  of  so  much  bloodshed 
among   ourselves; 

34  Yea,  if  we  had  gone  forth  against  them,  in  the  strength 
of  the  Lord,  we  should  have  dispersed  our  enemies;  for  it 
would  have  been  done  according  to  the  fulfilling  of  his  word. 

35  But  behold,  now  the  Lamanites  are  coming  upon  us,  and 
they  are  murdering  our  people  with  the  sword;  yea,  our 
women  and  our  children;  taking  possession  of  our  lands,  and 
also  carrying  them  away  captive;  causing  them  that  they 
should  suffer  all  manner  of  afflictions;  and  this  because  of 
the  great  wickedness  of  those  who  are  seeking  for  power  and 
authority;  yea,  even  those  king-men. 

36  But  why  should  I  say  much  concerning  this  matter,  for 
we   know  not  but  what  ye  yourselves   are   seeking   for   au- 


CHAP.  27.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  529 

thority?     We  know  not  but  what  ye  are  also  traitors  to  your 
country? 

37  Or  is  it  that  ye  have  neglected  us  because  ye  are  in  the 
heart  of  our  country,  and  ye  are  surrounded  by  security,  that 
ye  do  not  cause  food  to  be  sent  unto  us,  and  also  men  to 
strengthen  our  armies? 

38  Have  ye  forgot  the  commandments  of  the  Lord  your 
God?     Yea,  have  ye  forgot  the  captivity  of  our  fathers? 

39  Have  ye  forgot  the  many  times  we  have  been  delivered 
out  of  the  hands  of  our  enemies? 

40  Or  do  ye  suppose  that  the  Lord  will  still  deliver  us, 
while  we  sit  upon  our  thrones,  and  do  not  make  use  of  the 
means  which  the  Lord  has  provided  for  us? 

41  Yea,  will  ye  sit  in  idleness,  while  ye  are  surrounded 
with  thousands  of  those,  yea,  and  tens  of  thousands,  who  do 
also  sit  in  idleness,  while  there  are  thousands  round  about  in 
the  borders  of  the  land,  who  are  falling  by  the  sword,  yea, 
wounded  and  bleeding? 

42  Do  ye  suppose  that  God  will  look  upon  you  as  guiltless, 
while  ye  sit  still  and  behold  these  things?  Behold,  I  say 
unto  you.  Nay. 

43  Now  I  would  that  ye  should  remember  that  God  has 
said  that  the  inward  vessel  shall  be  cleansed  first,  and  then 
shall  the  outer  vessel  be  cleansed  also. 

44  And  now  except  ye  do  repent  of  that  which  ye  have 
done,  and  begin  to  be  up  and  doing,  and  send  forth  food  and 
men  unto  us,  and  also  unto  Helaman,  that  he  may  support 
those  parts  of  our  country  which  he  has  retained,  and  that 
we  may  also  recover  the  remainder  of  our  possessions  in 
these  parts,  behold,  it  will  be  expedient  that  we  contend  no 
more  with  the  Lamanites  until  we  have  first  cleansed  our  in- 
ward vessel;  yea,  even  the  great  head  of  our  government; 

45  And  except  ye  grant  mine  epistle,  and  come  out  and 
shew  unto  me  a  true  spirit  of  freedom,  and  strive  to 
strengthen  and  fortify  our  armies,  and  grant  unto  them  food 
for  their  support,  behold,  I  will  leave  a  part  of  my  freemen 
to  maintain  this  part  of  our  land,  and  I  will  leave  the  strength 
and  the  blessings  of  God  upon  them,  that  none  other  power 


530  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  27. 

can  operate  against  them;    and  this  because  of  their  exceed- 
ing faith  and  their  patience  in  their  tribulations; 

46  And  I  will  come  unto  you,  and  if  there  be  any  among 
you  that  has  a  desire  for  freedom,  yea,  if  there  be  even  a 
spark  of  freedom  remaining,  behold  I  will  stir  up  insurrec- 
tions among  you,  even  until  those  who  have  desires  to  usurp 
power  and  authority,  shall  become  extinct; 

47  Yea,  behold  I  do  not  fear  your  power  nor  your  au- 
thority, but  it  is  my  God  whom  I  fear,  and  it  is  according  to 
his  commandments  that  I  do  take  my  sword  to  defend  the 
cause  of  my  country,  and  it  is  because  of  your  iniquity  that 
we  have  suffered  so  much  loss. 

48  Behold  it  is  time;  yea,  the  time  is  now  at  hand,  that 
except  ye  do  bestir  yourselves  in  the  defense  of  your  country 
and  your  little  ones,  the  sword  of  justice  doth  hang  over  you: 
yea,  and  it  shall  fall  upon  you  and  visit  you  even  to  your 
utter  destruction. 

49  Behold,  I  wait  for  assistance  from  you,  and  except  ye  do 
administer  unto  our  relief,  behold  I  come  unto  you  even  into 
the  land  of  Zarahemla,  and  smite  you  with  the  sword,  inso- 
much that  ye  can  have  no  more  power  to  impede  the  progress 
of  this  people  in  the  cause  of  our  freedom; 

50  For  behold  the  Lord  will  not  suffer  that  ye  shall  live 
and  wax  strong  in  your  iniquities,  to  destroy  his  righteous 
people. 

51  Behold,  can  you  suppose  that  the  Lord  will  spare  you 
and  come  out  in  judgment  against  the  Lamanites,  when  it  is 
the  tradition  of  their  fathers  that  has  caused  their  hatred; 

52  Yea,  and  it  has  been  redoubled  by  those  who  have  dis- 
sented from  us,  while  your  iniquity  is  for  the  cause  of  your 
love  of  glory,  and  the  vain  things  of  the  world? 

53  Ye  know  that  ye  do  transgress  the  laws  of  God,  and  ye 
do  know  that  ye  do  trample  them  under  your  feet. 

54  Behold,  the  Lord  saith  unto  me.  If  those  whom  ye  have 
appointed  your  governors,  do  not  repent  of  their  sins  and 
iniquities,  ye  shall  go  up  to  battle  against  them. 

55  And  now  behold,  I  Moroni  am  constrained,  according  to 
the  covenant  which  I  have  made  to  keep  the  commandments 


CHAP.  28.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  531 

of  my  God;  therefore  I  would  that  ye  should  adhere  to  the 
word  of  God,  and  send  speedily  unto  me  of  your  provisions 
and  of  your  men,  and  also  to  Helaman. 

56  And  behold  if  ye  will  not  do  this,  I  come  unto  you 
speedily;  for  behold,  God  will  not  suffer  that  we  should  perish 
with  hunger;  therefore  he  will  give  unto  us  of  your  food,  even 
if  it  must  be  by  the  sword. 

57  Now  see  that  ye  fulfill  the  word  of  God. 

58  Behold,  I  am  Moroni,  your  chief  captain.  I  seek  not 
for  power  but  to  pull  it  down. 

59  I  seek  not  for  honor  of  the  world,  but  for  the  glory  of 
my  God,  and  the  freedom  and  welfare  of  my  country.  And 
thus  I  close  mine  epistle. 


CHAPTER  28. 

1  TJBehold,  now  it  came  to  pass  that  soon  after  Moroni  had 
sent  his  epistle  unto  the  chief  governor,  he  received  an  epistle 
from  Pahoran,  the  chief  governor. 

2  And  these  are  the  words  which  he  received:  I,  Pahoran, 
who  am  the  chief  governor  of  this  land,  do  send  these  words 
unto  Moroni,  the  chief  captain  over  the  army:  Behold  I  say 
unto  you,  Moroni,  that  I  do  not  joy  in  your  great  afflictions; 
yea,  it  grieves  my  soul. 

3  But  behold,  there  are  those  who  do  joy  in  your  afflictions; 
yea,  insomuch  that  they  have  risen  up  in  rebellion  against 
me,  and  also  those  of  my  people  who  are  freemen;  yea,  and 
those  who  have  risen  up  are  exceeding  numerous. 

4  And  it  is  those  who  have  sought  to  take  away  the  judg- 
ment seat  from  me,  that  have  been  the  cause  of  this  great 
iniquity; 

5  For  they  have  used  great  flattery;  and  they  have  led 
away  the  hearts  of  many  people,  which  will  be  the  cause  of 
sore  affliction  among  us;  they  have  withheld  our  provisions, 
and  have  daunted  our  freemen,  that  they  have  not  come  unto 
you. 

6  And  behold,  they  have  driven  me  out  before  them,  and  I 


532  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  28. 

have  fled  to  the  land  of  Gideon,  with  as  many  men  as  it  were 
possible  that  I  could  get. 

7  And  behold,  I  have  sent  a  proclamation  throughout  this 
part  of  the  land;  and  behold,  they  are  flocking  to  us  daily,  to 
their  arms,  in  the  defense  of  their  country,  and  their  freedom, 
and  to  avenge  our  wrongs. 

8  And  they  have  come  unto  us,  insomuch  that  those  who 
have  risen  up  in  rebellion  against  us,  are  set  at  defiance; 
yea,  insomuch  that  they  do  fear  us,  and  durst  not  come  out 
against  us  to  battle. 

9  They  have  got  possession  of  the  land,  or  the  city  of 
Zarahemla:  they  have  appointed  a  king  over  them,  and  he 
hath  written  unto  the  king  of  the  Lamanites,  in  the  which  he 
hath  joined  an  alliance  with  him; 

10  In  the  which  alliance,  he  hath  agreed  to  maintain  the 
city  of  Zarahemla,  which  maintenance  he  supposeth  will  en- 
able the  Lamanites  to  conquer  the  remainder  of  the  land,  and 
he  shall  be  placed  king  over  this  people,  when  they  shall  be 
conquered  under  the  Lamanites. 

11  And  now,  in  your  epistle  you  have  censured  me;  but  it 
mattereth  not,  I  am  not  angry,  but  do  rejoice  in  the  greatness 
of  your  heart. 

12  I,  Pahoran,  do  not  seek  for  power,  save  only  to  retain 
my  judgment  seat,  that  I  m.ay  preserve  the  rights  and  the 
liberty  of  my  people. 

13  My  soul  standeth  fast  in  that  liberty,  in  the  which  God 
hath  made  us  free. 

14  ^And  now  behold  we  will  resist  wickedness,  even  unto 
bloodshed. 

15  We  would  not  shed  the  blood  of  the  Lamanites,  if  they 
would  stay  in  their  own  land. 

16  We  would  not  shed  the  blood  of  our  brethren,  if  they 
would  not  rise  up  in  rebellion  and  take  the  sword  against  us. 

17  We  would  subject  ourselves  to  the  yoke  of  bondage,  if 
it  were  requisite  with  the  justice  of  God,  or  if  he  should  com- 
mand us  so  to  do. 

18  But  behold  he  doth  not  command  us  that  we  shall  sub- 


CHAP.  28.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  533 

ject  ourselves  to  our  enemies,  but  that  we  should  put  our  trust 
in  him  and  he  will  deliver  us. 

19  Therefore  my  beloved  brother  Moroni,  let  us  resist  evil; 
and  whatsoever  evil  we  can  not  resist  with  our  words,  yea, 
such  as  rebellions  and  dissensions,  let  us  resist  them  with  our 
swords,  that  we  may  retain  our  freedom,  that  we  may  rejoice 
in  the  great  privilege  of  our  church  and  in  the  cause  of  our 
Redeemer  and  our  God. 

20  Therefore  come  unto  me  speedily,  with  a  few  of  your 
men,  and  leave  the  remainder  in  the  charge  of  Lehi  and  Tean- 
cum;  give  unto  them  power  to  conduct  the  war  in  that  part 
of  the  land,  according  to  the  Spirit  of  God,  which  is  also  the 
spirit  of  freedom  which  is  in  them. 

21  Behold  I  have  sent  a  few  provisions  unto  them,  that 
they  may  not  perish  until  ye  can  come  unto  me. 

22  Gather  together  whatsoever  force  ye  can  upon  your 
march  hither,  and  we  will  go  speedily  against  those  dissent- 
ers, in  the  strength  of  our  God,  according  to  the  faith  which 
is  in  us. 

23  And  we  will  take  possession  of  the  city  of  Zarahemla, 
that  we  may  obtain  more  food  to  send  forth  unto  Lehi  and 
Teancum;  yea,  we  will  go  forth  against  them  in  the  strength 
of  the  Lord,  and  we  will  put  an  end  to  this  great  iniquity. 

24  IJAnd  now,  Moroni,  T  do  joy  in  receiving  your  epistle; 
for  I  was  somewhat  worried  concerning  what  we  should  do. 
whether  it  should  be  just  in  us  to  go  against  our  brethren. 

25  But  ye  have  said,  Except  they  repent,  the  Lord  hath 
commanded  you  that  ye  should  go  against  them. 

26  See  that  ye  strengthen  Lehi  and  Teancum  in  the  Lord; 
tell  them  to  fear  not,  for  God  will  deliver  them;  yea,  and  also 
all  those  who  stand  fast  in  that  liberty  wherewith  God  hath 
made  them  free. 

27  And  now  I  close  mine  epistle  to  my  beloved  brother 
Moroni. 


534  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  29. 

CHAPTER  29. 

1  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Moroni  had  re- 
ceived this  epistle,  his  heart  did  take  courage,  and  was  filled 
with  exceeding  great  joy,  because  of  the  faithfulness  of  Pa- 
horan,  that  he  was  not  also  a  traitor  to  the  freedom  and 
cause  of  his  country. 

2  But  he  did  also  mourn  exceedingly,  because  of  the  iniq- 
uity of  those  who  have  driven  Pahoran  from  the  judgment 
seat;  yea,  in  fine,  because  of  those  who  had  rebelled  against 
their  country  and  also  their  God. 

3  ^[And  it  came  to  pass  that  Moroni  took  a  small  number 
of  men  according  to  the  desire  of  Pahoran,  and  gave  Lehi  and 
Teancum  command  over  the  remainder  of  his  army,  and  took 
his  march  towards  the  land  of  Gideon. 

4  And  he  did  raise  the  standard  of  liberty  in  whatsoever 
place  he  did  enter,  and  gained  whatsoever  force  he  could  in 
all  his  march  towards  the  land  of  Gideon. 

5  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  thousands  did  flock  unto  his 
standard,  and  did  take  up  their  swords  in  the  defense  of  their 
freedom,  that  they  might  not  come  into  bondage. 

6  And  thus  when  Moroni  had  gathered  together  whatso- 
ever men  he  could  in  all  his  march,  he  came  to  the  land  of 
Gideon;  and  uniting  his  forces  with  that  of  Pahoran,  they 
became  exceeding  strong,  even  stronger  than  the  men  of  Pa- 
chus,  who  was  the  king  of  those  dissenters  who  had  driven 
out  the  freemen  out  of  the  land  of  Zarahemla,  and  had  taken 
possession  of  the  land. 

7  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Moroni  and  Pahoran  went 
down  with  their  armies"  into  the  land  of  Zarahemla,  and  went 
forth  against  the  city,  and  did  meet  the  men  of  Pachus,  inso- 
much that  they  did  come  to  battle. 

8  And  behold,  Pachus  was  slain,  and  his  men  were  taken 
prisoners;  and  Pahoran  was  restored  to  his  judgment  seat. 

9  And  the  men  of  Pachus  received  their  trial,  according  to 
the  law,  and  also  those  king-men  who  had  been  taken  and 
cast  into  prison;  and  they  were  executed  according  to  the  law; 

10  Yea,  those  men  of  Pachus,  and  those  king-men,  whoso^ 


CHAP.  29.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  535 

ever  would  not  take  up  arms  in  the  defense  of  their  country, 
but  would  fight  against  it,  were  put  to  death. 

11  And  thus  it  became  expedient  that  this  law  should  be 
strictly  observed,  for  the  safety  of  their  country;  yea,  and 
whosoever  was  found  denying  their  freedom,  was  speedily 
executed  according  to  the  law. 

12  And  thus  ended  the  thirtieth  year  of  the  reign  of  the 
Judges  over  the  people  of  Nephi:  Moroni  and  Pahoran  hav- 
ing restored  peace  to  the  land  of  Zarahemla,  among  their  own 
people,  having  inflicted  death  upon  all  those  who  were  not 
true  to  the  cause  of  freedom. 

13  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  in  the  commencement  of  the  thirty 
and  first  year  of  the  reign  of  the  Judges  over  the  people  of 
Nephi,  Moroni  immediately  caused  that  provisions  should  be 
sent,  and  also  an  army  of  six  thousand  men  should  be  sent 
unto  Helaman,  to  assist  him  in  preserving  that  part  of  the 
land; 

14  And  he  also  caused  that  an  army  of  six  thousand  men, 
with  a  sufficient  quantity  of  food,  should  be  sent  to  the  armies 
of  Lehi  and  Teancum. 

15  And  it  came  to  pass  that  this  was  done,  to  fortify  the 
land  against  the  Lamanites. 

16  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Moroni  and  Pahoran,  leaving 
a  large  body  of  men  in  the  land  of  Zarahemla,  took  their 
march  with  a  large  body  of  men  towards  the  land  of  Nephi- 
hah,  being  determined  to  overthrow  the  Lamanites  in  that 
city. 

17  TlAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  as  they  were  marching  to- 
wards the  land,  they  took  a  large  body  of  men  of  the  La- 
manites, and  slew  many  of  them,  and  took  their  provisions, 
and  their  weapons  of  war. 

18  And  it  came  to  pass  after  they  had  took  them,  they 
caused  them  to  enter  into  a  covenant,  that  they  would  no 
more  take  up  their  weapons  of  war  against  the  Nephites. 

19  And  when  they  had  entered  into  this  covenant,  they  sent 
them  to  dwell  with  the  people  of  Ammon;  and  they  were  in 
number  about  four  thousand  who  had  not  been  slain. 

20  HAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  when  they  had  sent  them 


536  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  29. 

away,  they  pursued  their  march  towards  the  land  of  Nephi- 
hah. 

21  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  they  had  come  to  the 
city  Nephihah,  they  did  pitch  their  tents  in  the  plains  of  Ne- 
phihah,  which  is  near  the  city  Nephihah. 

22  Now  Moroni  was  desirous  that  the  Lamanites  should 
come  out  to  battle  against  them,  upon  the  plains;  but  the 
Lamanites  knowing  of  their  exceeding  great  courage,  and  be- 
holding the  greatness  of  their  numbers,  therefore  they  durst 
not  come  out  against  them;  therefore  they  did  not  come  to 
battle  in  that  day. 

23  And  when  the  night  came,  Moroni  went  forth  in  the 
darkness  of  the  night,  and  came  upon  the  top  of  the  wall  to 
spy  out  in  what  part  of  the  city  the  Lamanites  did  camp  with 
their  army. 

24  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  they  were  on  the  east,  by  the 
entrance;  and  they  were  all  asleep. 

25  And  now  Moroni  returned  to  his  army,  and  caused  that 
they  should  prepare  in  haste  strong  cords  and  ladders,  to  be 
let  down  from  the  top  of  the  wall  into  the  inner  part  of  the 
wall. 

26  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Moroni  caused  that  his  men 
should  march  forth  and  come  upon  the  top  of  the  wall,  and 
let  themselves  down  into  that  part  of  the  city,  yea,  even  on 
the  west,  where  the  Lamanites  did  not  camp  with  their  armies. 

27  11  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  were  all  let  down  into 
the  city  by  night,  by  the  means  of  their  strong  cords  and  their 
ladders;  thus  when  the  morning  came,  they  were  all  within 
the  walls  of  the  city. 

28  And  now  when  the  Lamanites  awoke,  and  saw  that  the 
armies  of  Moroni  were  within  the  walls,  they  were  affrighted 
exceedingly,  insomuch  that  they  did  flee  out  by  the  pass. 

29  And  now  when  Moroni  saw  that  they  were  fleeing  be- 
fore him,  he  did  cause  that  his  men  should  march  forth 
against  them,  and  slew  many,  and  surrounded  many  others 
and  took  them  prisoners;  and  the  remainder  of  them  fled  into 
the  land  of  Moroni,  which  was  in  the  borders  of  the  sea-shore. 

30  Thus  had  Moroni  and  Pahoran  obtained  the  possession 


CHAP.  29.]  BOOK  OF  ALMA.  537 

of  the  city  of  Nephihah,  without  the  loss  of  one  soul;   and 
there  were  many  of  the  Lamanites  who  were  slain. 

31  ^Now  it  came  to  pass  that  many  of  the  Lamanites  who 
were  prisoners,  were  desirous  to  join  the  people  of  Ammon, 
and  become  a  free  people. 

32  And  it  came  to  pass  that  as  many  as  were  desirous,  unto 
them  it  was  granted,  according  to  their  desires;  therefore  all 
the  prisoners  of  the  Lamanites  did  join  the  people  of  Ammon, 
and  did  begin  to  labor  exceedingly,  tilling  the  ground,  rais- 
ing all  manner  of  grain,  and  flocks,  and  herds  of  every  kind; 

33  And  thus  were  the  Nephites  relieved  from  a  great  bur- 
then; yea,  insomuch  that  they  were  relieved  from  all  the 
prisoners  of  the  Lamanites. 

34  ^Now  it  came  to  pass  that  Moroni,  after  he  had  ob- 
tained possession  of  the  city  of  Nephihah,  having  taken  many 
prisoners,  which  did  reduce  the  armies  of  the  Lamanites  ex- 
ceedingly, and  having  retained  many  of  the  Nephites  who 
had  been  taken  prisoners,  which  did  strengthen  the  army  of 
Moroni  exceedingly;  therefore  Moroni  went  forth  from  the 
land  of  Nephihah  to  the  land  of  Lehi. 

35  T[And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  the  Lamanites  s-aw  that 
Moroni  was  coming  against  them,  they  were  again  frightened, 
and  fled  before  the  army  of  Moroni. 

36  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Moroni  and  his  army  did  pur- 
sue them  from  city  to  city,  until  they  were  met  by  Lehi  and 
Teancum;  and  the  Lamanites  fled  from  Lehi  and  Teancum, 
even  down  upon  the  borders  by  the  sea-shore,  until  they  came 
to  the  land  of  Moroni. 

37  And  the  armies  of  the  Lamanites  were  all  gathered  to- 
gether, insomuch  that  they  were  all  in  one  body,  in  the  land 
of  Moroni. 

38  Now  Ammoron,  the  king  of  the  Lamanites,  was  also 
with  them. 

39  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Moroni,  and  Lehi,  and  Tean- 
cum, did  encamp  with  their  armies  round  about  in  the  borders 
of  the  land  of  Moroni,  insomuch  that  the  Lamanites  were  en- 
circled about  in  the  borders  by  the  wilderness,  on  the  south, 


538  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  29. 

and  in  the  borders  by  the  wilderness,  on  the  east;  and  thus 
they  did  encamp  for  the  night. 

40  For  behold,  the  Nephites  and  the  Lamanites  also,  were 
weary  because  of  the  greatness  of  the  march;  therefore  they 
did  not  resolve  upon  any  stratagem  in  the  night  time,  save  it 
were  Teancum: 

41  For  he  was  exceeding  angry  with  Ammoron,  insomuch 
that  he  considered  that  Ammoron  and  Amalickiah  his  brother, 
had  been  the  cause  of  this  great  and  lasting  war  between 
them  and  the  Lamanites,  which  had  been  the  cause  of  so  much 
war  and  bloodshed,  yea,  and  so  much  famine. 

42  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Teancum  in  his  anger  did  go 
forth  into  the  camp  of  the  Lamanites,  and  did  let  himself 
down  over  the  walls  of  the  city. 

43  And  he  went  forth  with  a  cord,  from  place  to  place,  in- 
somuch that  he  did  find  the  king;  and  he  did  cast  a  javelin 
at  him,  which  did  pierce  him  near  the  heart. 

44  But  behold,  the  king  did  awake  his  servant  before  he 
died,  insomuch  that  they  did  pursue  Teancum,  and  slew  him. 

45  ^Now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Lehi  and  Moroni  knew 
that  Teancum  was  dead,  they  were  exceeding  sorrowful:  for 
behold,  he  had  been  a  man  who  had  fought  valiantly  for  his 
country,  yea,  a  true  friend  to  liberty;  and  he  had  suffered 
very  many  exceeding  sore  afflictions.' 

46  But  behold,  he  was  dead,  and  had  gone  the  way  of  all 
the  earth. 

47  TJNow  it  came  to  pass  that  Moroni  marched  forth  on  the 
morrow,  and  came  upon  the  Lamanites,  insomuch  that  they 
did  slay  them  with  a  great  slaughter ;  and  they  did  drive  them 
out  of  the  land:  and  they  did  flee,  even  that  they  did  not  re- 
turn at  that  time  against  the  Nephites. 

48  And  thus  ended  the  thirty  and  first  year  of  the  reign  of 
the  Judges  over  the  people  of  Nephi;  and  thus  they  had  had 
wars,  and  bloodsheds,  and  famine,  and  affliction  for  the  space 
of  many  years. 

49  And  there  had  been  murders,  and  contentions,  and  dis- 
sensions, and  all  manner  of  iniquity  among  the  people  of  Ne- 


CHAP.  29.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  539 

phi;  nevertheless,  for  the  righteous'  sake,  yea,  because  of  the 
prayers  of  the  righteous,  they  were  spared. 

50  But  behold,  because  of  the  exceeding  great  length  of 
the  war  between  the  Nephites  and  the  Lamanites,  many  had 
become  hardened,  because  of  the  exceeding  great  length  of  the 
war; 

51  And  many  were  softened,  because  of  their  afflictions,  in- 
somuch that  they  did  humble  themselves  before  God,  even  in 
the  depth  of  humility. 

52  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  after  Moroni  had  fortified 
those  parts  of  the  land  which  were  most  exposed  to  the  La- 
manites, until  they  were  sufficiently  strong,  he  returned  to 
the  city  of  Zarahemla,  and  also  Helaman  returned  to  the  place 
of  his  inheritance;  and  there  was  once  more  peace  established 
among  the  people  of  Nephi. 

53  And  Moroni  yielded  up  the  command  of  his  armies  into 
the  hands  of  his  son,  whose  name  was  Moronihah;  and  he  re- 
tired to  his  own  house  that  he  might  spend  the  remainder  of 
his  days  in  peace. 

54  And  Pahoran  did  return  to  his  judgment  seat;  and 
Helaman  did  take  upon  him  again  to  preach  unto  the  people 
the  word  of  God:  for  because  of  so  many  wars  and  conten- 
tions, it  had  become  expedient  that  a  regulation  should  be 
made  again  in  the  church; 

55  Therefore  Helaman  and  his  brethren  went  forth,  and 
did  declare  the  word  of  God  with  much  power,  unto  the  con- 
vincing of  many  people  of  their  wickedness,  which  did  cause 
them  to  repent  of  their  sins,  and  to  be  baptized  unto  the  Lord 
their  God. 

56  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  establish  again  the 
church  of  God,  throughout  all  the  land;  yea,  and  regulations 
were  made  concerning  the  law. 

57  And  their  judges,  and  their  chief  judges  were  chosen. 

58  And  the  people  of  Nephi  began  to  prosper  again  in  the 
land,  and  began  to  multiply  and  to  wax  exceeding  strong 
again  in  the  land. 

59  And  they  began  to  grow  exceeding  rich;  but  notwith- 
standing their  riches,  or  their  strength,  or  their  prosperity, 


540  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  [chap.  30. 

they  were  not  lifted  up  in  the  pride  of  their  eyes;  neither  were 
they  slow  to  remember  the  Lord  their  God:  but  they  did  hum- 
ble themselves  exceedingly  before  him; 

60  Yea,  they  did  remember  how  great  things  the  Lord  had 
done  for  them,  that  he  had  delivered  them  from  death,  and 
from  bonds,  and  from  prisons,  and  from  all  manner  of  afflic- 
tions; and  he  had  delivered  them  out  of  the  hands  of  their 
enemies. 

61  And  they  did  pray  unto  the  Lord  their  God  continually, 
insomuch  that  the  Lord  did  bless  them  according  to  his  word, 
so  that  they  did  wax  strong,  and  prosper  in  the  land. 

62  And  it  came  to  pass  that  all  these  things  were  done. 

63  And  Helaman  died,  in  the  thirty  and  fifth  year  of  the 
reign  of  the  Judges  over  the  people  of  Nephi. 


CHAPTER  30. 

1  ^And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  commencement  of  the  thirty 
and  sixth  year  of  the  reign  of  the  Judges  over  the  people  of 
Nephi,  that  Shiblon  took  possession  of  those  sacred  things 
which  had  been  delivered  unto  Helaman  by  Alma; 

2  And  he  was  a  just  man,  and  he  did  walk  uprightly  be- 
fore God;  and  he  did  observe  to  do  good  continually,  to  keep 
the  commandments  of  the  Lord  his  God;  and  also  did  his 
bi*other. 

3  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  Moroni  died  also. 

4  And  thus  ended  the  thirty  and  sixth  year  of  the  reign  of 
the  Judges. 

5  And  it  came  to  pass  that  in  the  thirty  and  seventh  year 
of  the  reign  of  the  Judges,  there  was  a  large  company  of  men, 
even  to  the  amount  of  five  thousand  and  four  hundred  men, 
with  their  wives  and  their  children,  departed  out  of  the  land 
of  Zarahemla,  into  the  land  which  was  northward. 

6  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  Hagoth,  he  being  an  exceeding 
curious  man,  therefore  he  went  forth,  and  built  him  an  ex- 
ceeding large  ship,  on  the  borders  of  the  land  Bountiful,  by 
the  land  Desolation,  and  launched  it  forth  into  the  west  sea, 
by  the  narrow  neck  which  led  into  the  land  nc^^hward. 


CHAP.  30.]  BOOK    OF    ALMA.  541 

7  And  behold  there  were  many  of  the  Nephites  who  did 
enter  therein,  and  did  sail  forth  with  much  provisions,  and 
also  many  women  and  children;  and  they  took  their  course 
northward.  4.. 

8  And  thus  ended  the  thirty  and  seventh  year. 

9  And  in  the  thirty  and  eighth  year,  this  man  built  other 
ships. 

10  And  the  first  ship  did  also  return,  and  many  more  peo- 
ple did  enter  into  it;  and  they  also  took  much  provisions,  and 
set  out  again  to  the  land  northward. 

11  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  were  never  heard  of 
more.  And  we  suppose  that  they  were  drowned  up  in  the 
depths  of  the  sea. 

12  And  it  came  to  pass  that  one  other  ship  also  did  sail 
forth;  and  whither  she  did  go  we  know  not. 

13  And  it  came  to  pass  that  in  this  year,  there  were  many 
people  who  went  forth  into  the  land  northward.  And  thus 
ended  the  thirty  and  eighth  year. 

14  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  in  the  thirty  and  ninth  year  of  the 
reign  of  the  Judges,  Shiblon  died  also,  and  Corianton  had 
gone  forth  to  the  land  northward,  in  a  ship,  to  carry  forth 
provisions  unto  the  people  who  had  gone  forth  into  that  land; 

15  Therefore  it  became  expedient  for  Shiblon  to  confer 
those  sacred  things,  before  his  death,  upon  the  son  of  Hela- 
man,  who  was  called  Helaman,  being  called  after  the  name  of 
his  father. 

16  Now  behold,  all  those  engravings  which  were  in  the  pos- 
session of  Helaman,  were  written  and  sent  forth  among  the 
children  of  men  throughout  all  the  land,  save  it  were  those 
parts  which  had  been  commanded  by  Alma  should  not  go 
forth. 

17  Nevertheless  these  things  were  to  be  kept  sacred,  and 
handed  down  from  one  generation  to  another;  therefore,  in 
this  year  they  had  been  conferred  upon  Helaman,  before  the 
death  of  Shiblon. 

18  And  it  came  to  pass  also  in  this  year,  that  there  were 
some  dissenters  who  had  gone  forth  unto  the  Lamanites;  and 
they  were  stirred  up  again  to  anger  against  the  Nephites. 


542  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  [chap.  1. 

19  And  also  in  this  same  year,  they  came  down  with  a 
numerous  army  to  war  against  the  people  of  Moronihah,  or 
against  the  army  of  Moronihah,  in  the  which  they  were 
beaten,  and  driven  back  again  to  their  own  lands,  suffering 
great  loss. 

20  And  thus  ended  the  thirty  and  ninth  year  of  the  reign 
of  the  Judges  over  the  people  of  Nephi. 

21  And  thus  ended  the  account  of  Alma,  and  Helaman  his 
son,  and  also  Shiblon,  who  was  his  son. 


THE  BOOK  OF  HELAMAN. 


iiijii.. 


'audi  ! 

CHAPTER  1. 

An  account  of  the  Nephites.  Their  wars  and  contentions,  and 
their  dissensions.  And  also  the  prophecies  of  many  holy 
prophets,  before  the  coming  of  Christ,  according  to  the  rec- 
ord of  Helaman,  who  was  the  son  of  Helaman,  and  also 
according  to  the  records  of  his  sons,  even  down  to  the  com- 
ing of  Christ.  And  also  many  of  the  Lamanites  are  con- 
verted. An  account  of  their  conversion.  An  account  of 
the  righteousness  of  the  Lamanites,  and  the  wickedness  and 
'''  abominations  of  the  Nephites,  according  to  the  record  of 
Helaman  and  his  sons,  even  down  to  the  coming  of  Christ, 
which  is  called  the  book  of  Helaman,  etc. 

1  ^And  now  behold,  it  came  to  pass  in  the  commencement 
of  the  fortieth  year  of  the  reign  of  the  Judges  over  the  peo- 
ple of  Nephi,  there  began  to  be  a  serious  difficulty  among  the 
people  of  the  Nephites. 

2  For  behold,  Pahoran  had  died,  and  gone  the  way  of  all 
the  earth;  therefore  there  began  to  be  a  serious  contention 
concerning  who  should  have  the  judgment  seat  among  the 
brethren,  who  were  the  sons  of  Pahoran. 

3  Now  these  are  their  names  who  did  contend  for  the  judg- 


CHAP.  l.J  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  543 

ment  seat,  who  did  also  cause  the  people  to  contend:   Paho- 
ran,  Paanchi,  and  Pacumeni. 

4  Now  these  are  not  all  the  sons  of  Pahoran,  (for  he  had 
many,)  but  these  are  they  who  did  contend  for  the  judgment 
seat;  therefore,  they  did  cause  three  divisions  among  the 
people. 

5  Nevertheless,  it  came  to  pass  that  Pahoran  was  ap- 
pointed by  the  voice  of  the  people  to  be  chief  judge  and  a 
governor  over  the  people  of  Nephi. 

6  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Pacumeni,  when  he  saw  that 
he  could  not  obtain  the  judgment  seat,  he  did  unite  with  the 
voice  of  the  people. 

7  But  behold,  Paanchi,  and  that  part  of  the  people  that 
were  desirous  that  he  should  be  their  governor,  was  exceed- 
ing wroth;  therefore,  he  was  about  to  flatter  away  those  peo- 
ple to  rise  up  in  rebellion  against  their  brethren. 

8  ^And  it  came  to  pass  as  he  was  about  to  do  this,  behold, 
he  was  taken,  and  was  tried  according  to  the  voice  of  the  peo- 
ple, and  condemned  unto  death;  for  he  had  raised  up  in  re- 
bellion, and  sought  to  destroy  the  liberty  of  the  people. 

9  Now  when  those  people  who  were  desirous  that  he  should 
be  their  governor,  saw  that  he  was  condemned  unto  death, 
therefore  they  Were  angry;  and  behold  they  sent  forth  one 
Kishkumen,  even  to  the  judgment  seat  of  Pahoran,  and  mur- 
dered Pahoran  as  he  sat  upon  the  judgment  seat. 

10  And  he  was  pursued  by  the  servants  of  Pahoran;  but 
behold,  so  speedy  was  the  flight  of  Kishkumen,  that  no  man 
could  overtake  him. 

11  And  he  went  unto  those  that  sent  him,  and  they  all  en- 
tered into  a  covenant,  yea,  swearing  by  their  everlasting 
Maker,  that  they  would  tell  no  man  that  Kishkumen  had 
murdered  Pahoran;  therefore  Kishkumen  was  not  known 
among  the  people  of  Nephi,  for  he  was  in  disguise  at  the 
time  that  he  murdered  Pahoran. 

12  And  Kishkumen,  and  his  band  who  had  covenanted  with 
him,  did  mingle  themselves  among  the  people,  in  a  manner 
that  they  all  could  not  be  found;  but  as  many  as  were  found, 
were  condemned  unto  death. 


544  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  [chap.  1. 

13  And  now  behold,  Pacumeni  was  appointed,  according  to 
the  voice  of  the  people,  to  be  a  chief  judge  and  a  governor 
over  the  people,  to  reign  in  the  stead  of  his  brother  Pahoran : 
and  it  was  according  to  his  right. 

14  And  all  this  was  done,  in  the  fortieth  year  of  the  reign 
of  the  Judges;  and  it  had  an  end. 

15  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  in  the  forty  and  first  year  of  the 
reign  of  the  Judges,  that  the  Lamanites  had  gathered  to- 
gether an  innumerable  army  of  men,  and  armed  them  with 
swords,  and  with  cimeters,  and  with  bows,  and  with  arrows, 
and  with  head-plates,  and  with  breastplates,  and  with  all  man- 
ner of  shields  of  every  kind;  and  they  came  down  again,  that 
they  might  pitch  battle  against  the  Nephites. 

16  And  they  were  led  by  a  man  whose  name  was  Corian- 
tumr;  and  he  was  a  descendant  of  Zarahemla;  and  he  was  a 
dissenter  from  among  the  Nephites;  and  he  was  a  large  and 
a  mighty  man; 

17  Therefore  the  king  of  the  Lamanites,  whose  name  was 
Tubaloth,  who  was  the  son  of  Ammoron,  supposing  that  Cori- 
antumr,  being  a  mighty  man,  could  stand  against  the  Ne- 
phites, insomuch  with  his  strength  and  also  with  his  great 
wisdom,  that  by  sending  him  forth,  he  should  gain  power  over 
the  Nephites; 

18  Therefore  he  did  stir  them  up  to  anger,  and  he  did 
gather  together  his  armies,  and  he  did  appoint  Coriantumr  to 
be  their  leader,  and  did  cause  that  they  should  march  down  to 
the  land  of  Zarahemla,  to  battle  against  the  Nephites. 

19  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  because  of  so  much  conten- 
tion and  so  much  difficulty  in  the  government,  that  they  had 
not  kept  sufficient  guards  in  the  land  of  Zarahemla;  for  they 
had  supposed  that  the  Lamanites  durst  not  come  into  the 
heart  of  their  lands  to  attack  that  great  city  Zarahemla. 

20  But  it  came  to  pass  that  Coriantumr  did  march  forth 
at  the  head  of  his  numerous  host,  and  came  upon  the  inhabit- 
ants of  the  city,  and  their  march  was  with  such  exceeding 
great  speed,  that  there  was  no  time  for  the  Nephites  to  gather 
together  their  armies; 

21  Therefore  Coriantumr  did  cut  down  the  watch  by  the 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  545 

entrance  of  the  city,  and  did  march  forth  with  his  whole 
army  into  the  city,  and  they  did  slay  every  one  who  did  oppose 
them,  insomuch  that  they  did  take  possession  of  the  whole  city. 

22  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Pacumeni,  who  was  the  chief 
judge,  did  flee  before  Coriantumr,  even  to  the  walls  of  the  city. 

23  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Coriantumr  did  smite  him 
against  the  wall,  insomuch  that  he  died.  And  thus  ended  the 
days  of  Pacumeni. 

24  And  now  wh^n  Coriantumr  saw  that  he  was  in  posses- 
sion of  the  city  of  Zarahemla,  and  saw  that  the  Nephites  had 
fled  before  them,  and  were  slain,  and  were  taken,  and  were 
cast  into  prison,  and  that  he  had  obtained  the  possession  of 
the  strongest  hold  in  all  the  land,  his  heart  took  courage,  in- 
somuch that  he  was  about  to  go  forth  against  all  the  land. 

25  And  now  he  did  not  tarry  in  the  land  of  Zarahemla,  but 
he  did  march  forth  with  a  large  army,  even  towards  the  city 
of  Bountiful ;  for  it  was  his  determination  to  go  forth  and  cut 
his  way  through  with  the  sword,  that  he  might  obtain  the 
north  parts  of  the  land, 

26  And  supposing  that  their  greatest  strength  was  in  the 
center  of  the  land,  therefore  he  did  march  forth,  giving  them 
no  time  to  assemble  themselves  together,  save  it  were  in  small 
bodies;  and  in  this  manner  they  did  fall  upon  them  and  cut 
them  down  to  the  earth. 

27  But  behold,  this  march  of  Coriantumr  through  the  cen- 
ter of  the  land,  gave  Moronihah  great  advantage  over  them, 
notwithstanding  the  greatness  of  the  number  of  the  Nephites 
who  were  slain; 

28  For  behold,  Moronihah  had  supposed  that  the  Lamanites 
durst  not  come  into  the  center  of  the  land,  but  that  they  would 
attack  the  cities  round  about  in  the  borders  as  they  had 
hitherto  done;  therefore  Moronihah  had  caused  that  their 
strong  armies  should  maintain  those  parts  round  about  by 
the  borders. 

29  But  behold,  the  Lamanites  were  not  frightened  accord- 
ing to  his  desire,  but  they  had  come  into  the  center  of  the 
land,  and  had  taken  the  capital  city,  which  was  the  city  of 
Zarahemla,  and  were  marching  through  the  most  capital  parts 


546  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  [chap.  1. 

of  the  land,  slaying  the  people  with  a  great  slaughter,  both 
men,  women  and  children,  taking  possession  of  many  cities 
and  of  many  strongholds. 

30  But  when  Moronihah  had  discovered  this,  he  immedi- 
ately sent  forth  Lehi  with  an  army  round  about  to  head  them, 
before  they  should  come  to  the  land  Bountiful. 

31  And  thus  he  did;  and  he  did  head  them,  before  they 
came  to  the  land  Bountiful,  and  gave  unto  them  battle  inso- 
much that  they  began  to  retreat  back  towards  the  land  of 
Zarahemla. 

32  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Moronihah  did  head  them  in 
their  retreat,  and  did  give  unto  them  battle  insomuch  that  it 
became  an  exceeding  bloody  battle;  yea,  many  were  slain; 
and  among  the  number  who  were  slain,  Coriantumr  was  also 
found. 

33  And  now  behold  the  Lamanites  could  not  retreat  either 
way;  neither  on  the  north,  nor  on  the  south,  nor  on  the  east, 
nor  on  the  west,  for  they  were  surrounded  on  every  hand  by 
the  Nephites. 

34  And  thus  had  Coriantumr  plunged  the  Lamanites  into 
the  midst  of  the  Nephites,  insomuch  that  they  were  in  the 
power  of  the  Nephites,  and  he  himself  was  slain,  and  the 
Lamanites  did  yield  themselves  into  the  hands  of  the  Ne- 
phites. 

35  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  Moronihah  took  possession  of 
the  city  of  Zarahemla  again,  and  caused  that  the  Lamanites 
who  had  been  taken  prisoners  should  depart  out  of  the  land 
in  peace. 

36  And  thus  ended  the  forty  and  first  year  of  the  reign  of 
the  Judges. 

37  T^And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  forty  and  second  year  of 
the  reign  of  the  Judges,  after  Moronihah  had  established 
again  peace  between  the  Nephites  and  the  Lamanites,  behold 
there  was  no  one  to  fill  the  judgment  seat;  therefore  there 
began  to  be  a  contention  among  the  people  concerning  who 
should  fill  the  judgment  seat. 

38  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Helaman,  who  was  the  son  of 


CHAF.  1.]  .BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  547 

Helaman,  was  appointed  to  fill  the  judgment  seat,  by  the  voice 
of  the  people; 

39  But  behold,  Kishkumen,  who  had  murdered  Pahoran, 
did  lay  wait  to  destroy  Helaman  also;  and  he  was  upheld  by 
his  band,  who  had  entered  into  a  covenant  that  no  one  should 
know  his  wickedness; 

40  For  there  was  one  Gadianton  who  was  exceeding  ex- 
pert in  many  words,  and  also  in  his  craft,  to  carry  on  the 
secret  work  of  murder  and  of  robbery;  therefore  he  became 
the  leader  of  the  band  of  Kishkumen; 

41  Therefore  he  did  flatter  them,  and  also  Kishkumen,  that 
if  they  would  place  him  in  the  judgment  seat,  he  would  grant 
unto  those  who  belonged  to  his  band  that  they  should  be  placed 
in  power  and  authority  among  the  people;  therefore  Kishku- 
men sought  to  destroy  Helaman. 

42  ^And  it  came  to  pass  as  he  went  forth  towards  the 
judgment  seat,  to  destroy  Helaman,  behold  one  of  the  serv- 
ants of  Helaman,  having  been  out  by  night,  and  having  ob- 
tained, through  disguise,  a  knowledge  of  those  plans  which 
had  been  laid  by  his  band  to  destroy  Helaman. 

43  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  met  Kishkumen  and  he 
gave  unto  him  a  sign ;  therefore  Kishkumen  made  known  unto 
him  the  object  of  his  desire,  desiring  that  he  would  conduct 
him  to  the  judgment  seat,  that  he  might  murder  Helaman; 

44  And  when  the  servant  of  Helaman  had  known  all  the 
heart  of  Kishkumen,  and  how  that  it  was  his  object  to  mur- 
der, and  also  that  it  was  the  object  of  all  those  who  belonged 
to  his  band,  to  murder,  and  to  rob,  and  to  gain  power,  (and 
this  was  their  secret  plan  and  their  combination,)  the  servant 
of  Helaman  saith  unto  Kishkumen,  Let  us  go  forth  unto  the 
judgment  seat. 

45  Now  this  did  please  Kishkumen  exceedingly,  for  he  did 
suppose  that  he  should  accomplish  his  design;  but  behold, 
the  servant  of  Helaman,  as  they  were  going  forth  unto  the 
judgment  seat,  did  stab  Kishkumen,  even  to  the  heart  that  he 
fell  dead  without  a  groan. 

46  And  he  ran  and  told  Helaman  all  the  things  which  he 
had  seen,  and  heard,  and  done. 


548  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN..  [chap.  2. 

47  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  Helaman  did  send  forth  to 
take  this  band  of  robbers  and  secret  murderers,  that  they 
might  be  executed  according  to  the  law. 

48  But  behold,  when  Gadianton  had  found  that  Kishkumen 
did  not  return,  he  feared  lest  that  he  should  be  destroyed; 
therefore  he  caused  that  his  band  should  follow  him. 

49  And  they  took  their  flight  out  of  the  land,  by  a  secret 
way,  into  the  wilderness;  and  thus  when  Helaman  sent  forth 
to  take  them,  they  could  nowhere  be  found.  And  more  of 
this  Gadianton  shall  be  spoken  hereafter. 

50  And  thus  ended  the  forty  and  second  year  of  the  reign 
of  the  Judges  over  the  people  of  Nephi. 

51  And  behold,  in  the  end  of  this  book,  ye  shall  see  that 
this  Gadianton  did  prove  the  overthrow,  yea,  almost  the  entire 
destruction  of  the  people  of  Nephi. 

52  Behold  I  do  not  mean  the  end  of  the  book  of  Helaman, 
but  I  mean  the  end  of  the  book  of  Nephi,  from  which  I  have 
taken  all  the  account  which  I  have  written. 


CHAPTER  2. 

1  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  in  the  forty  and  third  year  of 
the  reign  of  the  Judges,  there  was  no  contention  among  the 
people  of  Nephi,  save  it  were  a  little  pride  which  was  in  the 
church,  which  did  cause  some  little  dissensions  among  the 
people,  which  affairs  were  settled  in  the  ending  of  the  forty 
and  third  year. 

2  And  there  was  no  contention  among  the  people  in  the 
forty  and  fourth  year;  neither  was  there  much  contention  in 
the  forty  and  fifth  year. 

3  And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  forty  and  sixth,  yea,  there 
were  much  contentions  and  many  dissensions;  in  the  which 
there  were  an  exceeding  great  many  who  departed  out  of  the 
land  of  Zarahemla,  and  went  forth  unto  the  land  northward, 
to  inherit  the  land; 

4  And  they  did  travel  to  an  exceeding  great  distance,  inso- 
much that  they  came  to  large  bodies  of  water,  and  many 
rivers; 


CHAP.  2.]  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  549 

5  Yea,  and  even  they  did  spread  forth  into  all  parts  of  the 
land,  into  whatever  parts  it  had  not  been  rendered  desolate, 
and  without  timber,  because  of  the  many  inhabitants  who 
had  before  inherited  the  land. 

6  And  now  no  part  of  the  land  was  desolate,  save  it  were 
for  timber,  etc.;  but  because  of  the  greatness  of  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  people  who  had  before  inhabited  the  land,  it  was 
called   desolate. 

7  And  there  being  but  little  timber  upon  the  face  of  the 
land,  nevertheless  the  people  who  went  forth  became  exceed- 
ing expert  in  the  working  of  cement:  therefore  they  did  build 
houses  of  cement,  in  the  which  they  did  dwell. 

8  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  multiply  and  spread, 
and  did  go  forth  from  the  land  southward  to  the  land  north- 
ward, and  did  spread  insomuch  that  they  began  to  cover  the 
face  of  the  whole  earth,  from  the  sea  south,  to  the  sea  north, 
from  the  sea  west,  to  the  sea  east. 

9  And  the  people  who  were  in  the  land  northward,  did 
dwell  in  tents,  and  in  houses  of  cement,  and  they  did  suffer 
whatsoever  tree  should  spring  up  upon  the  face  of  the  land, 
that  it  should  grow  up,  that  in  time  they  might  have  timber 
to  build  their  houses,  yea,  their  cities  and  their  temples,  and 
their  synagogues,  and  their  sanctuaries,  and  all  manner  of 
their  buildings. 

10  ^And  it  came  to  pass  as  timber  was  exceeding  scarce  in 
the  land  northward,  they  did  send  forth  much  by  the  way 
of  shipping;  and  thus  they  did  enable  the  people  in  the  land 
northward,  that  they  might  build  many  cities,  both  of  wood 
and  of  cement. 

11  And  it  came  to  pass  that  there  were  many  of  the  people 
of  Ammon  who  were  Lamanites  by  birth,  did  also  go  forth 
into  this  land. 

12  IJAnd  now  there  are  many  records  kept  of  the  proceed- 
ings of  this  people,  by  many  of  this  people,  which  are  par- 
ticular and  very  large,  concerning  them; 

13  But  behold  a  hundredth  part  of  the  proceedings  of  this 
people,  yea,  the  account  of  the  Lamanites,  and  of  the  Ne- 
phites,  and  their  wars,  and  contentions,  and  dissensions,  and 


560  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  [chap.  2. 

their  preaching,  and  their  prophecies,  and  their  shipping,  and 
their  building  of  ships,  and  their  building  of  temples,  and  of 
synagogues,  and  their  sanctuaries,  and  their  righteousness, 
and  their  wickedness,  and  their  murders,  and  their  robbings, 
and  their  plundering,  and  all  manner  of  abominations  and 
whoredoms,  can  not  be  contained  in  this  work; 

14  But  behold,  there  are  many  books  and  many  records  of 
.every  kind,  and  they  have  been  kept  chiefly  by  the  Nephites; 

and  they  have  been  handed  down  from  one  generation  to  an- 
other, by  the  Nephites,  even  until  they  have  fallen  into  trans- 
gression, and  have  been  murdered,  plundered  and  hunted,  and 
driven  forth,  and  slain,  and  scattered  upon  the  face  of  the 
earth,  and  mixed  with  the  Lamanites  until  they  are  no  more 
called  the  Nephites,  becoming  wicked,  and  wild,  and  fero- 
cious, yea,  even  becoming  Lamanites. 

15  ^And  now  I  return  again  to  mine  account;  therefore 
what  I  have  spoken  had  passed  after  there  had  been  great 
contentions,  and  disturbances,  and  wars,  and  dissensions 
among  the  people  of  Nephi. 

16  The  forty  and  sixth  year  of  the  reign  of  the  Judges 
ended. 

17  And  it  came  to  pass  that  there  was  still  great  conten- 
tions in  the  land,  yea,  even  in  the  forty  and  seventh  year,  and 
also  in  the  forty  and  eighth  year; 

18  Nevertheless,  Helaman  did  fill  the  judgment  seat  with 
justice  and  equity;  yea,  he  did  observe  to  keep  the  statutes, 
and  the  judgments,  and  the  commandments  of  God;  and  he 
did  do  that  which  was  right  in  the  sight  of  God  continually; 
and  he  did  walk  after  the  ways  of  his  father,  insomuch  that 
he  did  prosper  in  the  land. 

19  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  had  two  sons.  He  gave 
unto  the  eldest  the  name  of  Nephi,  and  unto  the  youngest 
the  name  of  Lehi.    And  they  began  to  grow  up  unto  the  Lord. 

20  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  wars  and  contentions  began 
to  cease,  in  a  small  degree,  among  the  people  of  the  Nephites, 
in  the  latter  end  of  the  forty  and  eighth  year  of  the  reign  of 
the  Judges  over  the  people  of  Nephi. 

21  And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  forty  and  ninth  year  of  the 


CHAP.  2.]  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  ^  551 

reign  of  the  Judges,  there  was  continual  peace  established  in 
the  land,  all  save  it  were  the  secret  combinations  which  Gadi- 
anton  the  robber  had  established,  in  the  more  settled  parts  of 
the  land,  which  at  that  time  were  not  known  unto  those  who 
were  at  the  head  of  government;  therefore  they  were  not  de- 
stroyed out  of  the  land. 

22  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  in  this  same  year,  there  was 
exceeding  great  prosperity  in  the  church,  insomuch  that  there 
were  thousands  who  did  join  themselves  unto  the  church,  and 
were  baptized  unto  repentance; 

23  And  so  great  was  the  prosperity  of  the  church,  and  so 
many  the  blessings  which  were  poured  out  upon  the  people, 
that  even  the  high  priests  and  the  teachers  were  themselves 
astonished  beyond  measure. 

24  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  work  of  the  Lord  did  pros- 
per unto  the  baptizing  and  uniting  to  the  church  of  God,  many 
souls;  yea,  even  tens  of  thousands. 

25  Thus  we  may  see  that  the  Lord  is  merciful  unto  all 
who  will  in  the  sincerity  of  their  hearts,  call  upon  his  holy 
name;  yea,  thus  we  see  that  the  gate  of  heaven  is  open  unto 
all,  even  to  those  who  will  believe  on  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ, 
who  is  the  Son  of  God; 

26  Yea,  we  see  that  whosoever  will  lay  hold  upon  the  word 
of  God  which  is  quick  and  powerful,  which  shall  divide 
asunder  all  the  cunning,  and  the  snares,  and  the  wiles  of  the 
devil,  and  lead  the  man  of  Christ  in  a  straight  and  narrow 
course  across  that  everlasting  gulf  of  misery  which  is  pre- 
pared to  engulf  the  wicked,  and  land  their  souls,  yea,  their 
immortal  souls,  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  in  the  kingdom  of 
heaven,  to  sit  down  with  Abraham,  and  Isaac,  and  with  Jacob, 
and  with  all  our  holy  fathers,  to  go  no  more  out. 

27  And  in  this  year  there  were  continual  rejoicing  in  the 
land  of  Zarahemla,  and  in  all  the  regions  round  about,  even 
in  all  the  land  which  was  possessed  by  the  Nephites. 

28  And  it  came  to  pass  that  there  was  peace  and  exceed- 
ing great  joy  in  the  remainder  of  the  forty  and  ninth  year; 
yea,  and  also  there  was  continual  peace  and  great  joy  in  the 
fiftieth  year  of  the  reign  of  the  Judges. 


552  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  [chap.  2. 

29  And  in  the  fifty  and  first  year  of  the  reign  of  the 
Judges,  there  was  peace  also,  save  it  were  the  pride  which 
began  to  enter  into  the  church;  not  into  the  church  of  God, 
but  into  the  hearts  of  the  people  who  professed  to  belong  to 
the  church  of  God;  and  they  were  lifted  up  in  pride,  even  to 
the  persecution  of  many  of  their  brethren. 

30  Now  this  was  a  great  evil,  which  did  cause  the  more 
humble  part  of  the  people  to  suffer  great  persecutions,  and  to 
wade  through  much  affliction; 

31  Nevertheless,  they  did  fast  and  pray  oft,  and  did  wax 
stronger  and  stronger  in  their  humility,  and  firmer  and  firmer 
in  the  faith  of  Christ,  unto  the  filling  their  souls  with  joy  and 
consolation,  yea,  even  to  the  purifying  and  the  sanctification 
of  their  hearts,  which  sanctification  cometh  because  of  their 
yielding  their  hearts  unto  God. 

32  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  fifty  and  second  year  ended 
in  peace  also,  save  it  were  the  exceeding  great  pride  which 
had  gotten  into  the  hearts  of  the  people;  and  it  was  because 
of  their  exceeding  great  riches,  and  their  prosperity  in  the 
land;  and  it  did  grow  upon  them  from  day  to  day. 

33  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  in  the  fifty  and  third  year  of  the 
reign  of  the  Judges,  Helaman  died,  and  his  eldest  son  Nephi 
began  to  reign  in  his  stead. 

34  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  did  fill  the  judgment  seat 
with  justice  and  equity;  yea,  he  did  keep  the  commandments 
of  God,  and  did  walk  in  the  ways  of  his  father. 

35  And  it  came  to  pais  in  the  fifty  and  fourth  year,  there 
were  many  dissensions  in  the  church,  and  there  was  also  a 
contention  among  the  people,  insomuch  that  there  was  much 
bloodshed;  and  the  rebellious  part  were  slain  and  driven  out 
of  the  land,  and  they  did  go  unto  the  king  of  the  Lamanites. 

36  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  endeavor  to  stir  up 
the  Lamanites  to  war  against  the  Nephites;  but  behold,  the 
Lamanites  were  exceeding  fraid,  insomuch  that  they  would 
not  hearken  to  'the  words  of  those  dissenters. 

37  But  it  came  to  pass  in  the  fifty  and  sixth  year  of  the 
reign  of  the  Judges,  there  were  dissenters  who  went  up  from 
the  Nephites  unto  the  Lamanites;  and  they  succeeded  with 


CHAP.  2.]  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  553 

those  others  in  stirring  them  up  to  anger  against  the  Ne- 
phites;  and  they  were  all  that  year  preparing  for  war. 

38  And  in  the  fifty  and  seventh  year,  they  did  come  down 
against  the  Nephites  to  battle;  and  they  did  commence  the 
work  of  death;  yea,  insomuch  that  in  the  fifty  and  eighth  year 
of  the  reign  of  the  Judges,  they  succeeded  in  obtaining  pos- 
session of  the  land  of  Zarahemla :  yea,  and  also  all  the  lands, 
even  unto  the  land  which  was  near  the  land  Bountiful; 

39  And  the  Nephites,  and  the  armies  of  Moronihah,  were 
driven  even  into  the  land  of  Bountiful;  and  there  they  did 
fortify  against  the  Lamanites,  from  the  west  sea,  even  unto 
the  east;  it  being  a  day's  journey  for  a  Nephite,  on  the  line 
which  they  had  fortified  and  stationed  their  armies  to  defend 
their  north  country. 

40  And  thus  those  dissenters  of  the  Nephites,  with  the  help 
of  a  numerous  army  of  the  Lamanites,  had  obtained  all  the 
possession  of  the  Nephites  which  was  in  the  land  southward. 

41  And  all  this  was  done  in  the  fifty  and  eighth  and  ninth 
years  of  the  reign  of  the  Judges. 

42  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  in  the  sixtieth  year  of  the  reign 
of  the  Judges,  Moronihah  did  succeed  with  his  armies,  in 
obtaining  many  parts  of  the  land;  yea,  they  retained  many 
cities  which  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  Lamanites. 

43  ^And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  sixty  and  first  year  of  the 
reign  of  the  Judges,  they  succeeded  in  retaining  even  the  half 
of  all  their  rossessions. 

44  Now  this  great  loss  of  the  Nephites,  and  the  great 
slaughter  which  was  among  them,  would  not  have  happened, 
had  it  not  been  for  their  wickedness  and  their  abomination 
which  was  among  them;  yea,  and  it  was  among  those  also 
who  professed  to  belong  to  the  church  of  God: 

45  And  it  was  because  of  the  pride  of  their  hearts,  because 
of  their  exceeding  riches,  yea,  it  was  because  of  their  oppres- 
sion to  the  poor,  withholding  their  food  from  the  hungry, 
withholding  their  clothing  from  the  naked,  and  smiting  their 
humble  brethren  upon  the  cheek,  making  a  mock  of  that  which 
was  sacred,  denying  the  spirit  of  prophecy  and  of  revelation, 
murdering,  plundering,  lying,   stealing,  committing  adultery. 


554  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  [chap.  2. 

rising  up  in  great  contentions,  and  deserting  away  into  the 
land  of  Nephi,  among  the  Lamanites; 

46  And  because  of  this  their  great  wickedness,  and  their 
boastings  in  their  own  strength,  they  were  left  in  their  own 
strength;  therefore  they  did  not  prosper,  but  were  afflicted 
and  smitten,  and  driven  before  the  Lamanites,  until  they  had 
lost  possession  of  almost  all  their  lands. 

47  But  behold,  Moronihah  did  preach  many  things  unto  the 
people,  because  of  their  iniquity,  and  also  Nephi  and  Lehi, 
who  were  the  sons  of  Helaman,  did  preach  many  things  unto 
the  people; 

48  Yea,  and  did  prophesy  many  things  unto  them  concern- 
ing their  iniquities,  and  what  should  come  unto  them  if  they 
did  not  repent  of  their  sins. 

49  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  repent,  and  inasmuch 
as  they  did  repent,  they  did  begin  to  prosper; 

50  For  when  Moronihah  saw  that  they  did  repent,  he  did 
venture  to  lead  them  forth  from  place  to  place,  and  from  city 
to  city,  even  until  they  had  retained  the  one  half  of  their 
property,  and  the  one  half  of  all  their  lands. 

51  And  thus  ended  the  sixty  and  first  year  of  the  reign  of 
the  Judges. 

52  ^And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  sixty  and  second  year  of 
the  reign  of  the  Judges,  that  Moronihah  could  obtain  no  more 
possessions  over  the  Lamanites; 

53  Therefore  they  did  abandon  their  design  to  obtain  the 
remainder  of  their  lands,  for  so  numerous  were  the  Lamanites 
that  it  became  impossible  for  the  Nephites  to  obtain  more 
power  over  them;  therefore  Moronihah  did  employ  all  his 
armies  in  maintaining  those  parts  which  he  had  taken. 

54  lIAnd  it  came  to  pass  because  of  the  greatness  of  the 
number  of  the  Lamanites,  the  Nephites  were  in  great  fear, 
lest  they  should  be  overpowered,  and  trodden  down,  and  slain, 
and  destroyed; 

55  Yea,  they  began  to  remember  the  prophecies  of  Alma, 
and  also  the  words  of  Mosiah;  and  they  saw  that  they  had 
been  a  stiff-necked  people,  and  that  they  had  set  at  nought 
the  commandments  of  God; 


CHAP.  2.]  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  555 

56  And  that  they  had  altered  and  trampled  under  their 
feet  the  laws  of  Mosiah,  or  that  which  the  Lord  commanded 
him  to  give  unto  the  people; 

57  And  thus  seeing  that  their  laws  had  become  corrupted, 
and  that  they  had  become  a  wicked  people,  insomuch  that  they 
were  wicked  even  like  unto  the  Lamanites. 

58  Aiid  because  of  their  iniquity,  the  church  had  began  to 
dwindle;  and  they  began  to  disbelieve  in  the  spirit  of 
prophecy,  and  in  the  spirit  of  revelation;  and  the  judgments 
of  God  did  stare  them  in  the  face. 

59  And  they  saw  that  they  had  become  weak,  like  unto 
their  brethren,  the  Lamanites,  and  that  the  Spirit  of  the 
Lord  did  no  more  preserve  them;  yea,  it  had  withdrawn  from 
them,  because  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  doth  not  dwell  in  unholy 
temples ; 

60  Therefore  the  Lord  did  cease  to  preserve  them  by  his 
miraculous  and  matchless  power,  for  they  had  fallen  into  a 
state  of  unbelief  and  awful  wickedness;  and  they  saw  that 
the  Lamanites  were  more  exceeding  numerous  than  they,  and 
except  they  should  cleave  unto  the  Lord  their  God,  they  must 
unavoidably  perish. 

61  For  behold,  they  saw  that  the  strength  of  the  Lamanites 
was  as  great  as  their  strength,  even  man  for  man. 

62  And  thus  had  they  fallen  into  this  great  transgression; 
yea,  thus  had  they  become  weak,  because  of  their  transgres- 
sion, in  the  space  of  not  many  years. 

63  l|And  it  came  to  pass  that  in  this  same  year,  behold, 
Nephi  delivered  up  the  judgment  seat,  to  a  man  whose  name 
was   Cezoram. 

64  For  as  their  laws  and  their  governments  were  estab- 
lished by  the  voice  of  the  people,  and  they  who  chose  evil  were 
more  numerous  than  they  who  chose  good,  therefore  they 
were  ripening  for  destruction,  for  the  laws  had  become  cor- 
rupted ; 

65  Yea,  and  this  was  not  all;  they  were  a  stiff-necked  peo- 
ple, insomuch  that  they  could  not  be  governed  by  the  law  nor 
justice,  save  it  were  to  their  destruction. 

66  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Nephi  had  become  weary,  be- 


556  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  [chap.  2. 

cause  of  their  iniquity;  and  he  yielded  up  the  judgment  seat, 
and  took  it  upon  him  to  preach  the  word  of  God  all  the  re- 
mainder of  his  days,  and  his  brother  Lehi  also,  all  the  re- 
mainder of  his  days;  for  they  remembered  the  words  which 
their  father  Helaman  spake  unto  them. 

67  And  these  are  the  words  which  he  spake:  Behold,  my 
sons,  I  desire  that  ye  should  remember  to  keep  the  command- 
ments of  God;  and  I  would  that  ye  should  declare  unto  the 
people  these  words; 

68  Behold  I  have  given  unto  you  the  names  of  our  first 
parents,  who  came  out  of  the  land  of  Jerusalem;  and  this  I 
have  done,  that  when  ye  remember  your  names,  that  ye  may 
remember  them;  and  when  ye  may  remember  them,  ye  may 
remember  their  works;  and  when  ye  remember  their  works, 
ye  may  know  how  that  it  is  said,  and  also  written,  that  they 
were  good: 

69  Therefore,  my  sons,  I  would  that  ye  should  do  that  which 
is  good,  that  it  may  be  said  of  you,  and  also  written,  even  as 
it  has  been  said  and  written  of  them; 

70  And  now,  my  sons,  behold,  I  have  somewhat  more  to  de- 
sire of  you,  which  desire  is,  that  ye  may  not  do  these  things 
that  ye  may  boast,  but  that  ye  may  do  these  things  to  lay  up 
for  yourselves  a  treasure  in  heaven,  yea,  which  is  eternal,  and 
which  fadeth  not  away;  yea,  that  ye  may  have  that  precious 
gift  of  eternal  life,  which  we  have  reason  to  suppose  hath 
been  given  to  our  fathers. 

71  IJO  remember,  remember,  my  sons,  the  words  which  King 
Benjamin  spake  unto  his  people;  yea,  remember  that  there  is 
no  other  way  nor  means  whereby  man  can  be  saved,  only 
through  the  atoning  blood  of  Jesus  Christ,  who  shall  come; 
yea,  remember  that  he  cometh  to  redeem  the  world. 

72  And  remember  also,  the  words  which  Amulek  spake 
unto  Zeezrom,  in  the  city  of  Ammonihah;  for  he  said  unto 
him,  that  the  Lord  surely  should  come  to  redeem  his  people; 
but  that  he  should  not  come  to  redeem  them  in  their  sins,  but 
to  redeem  them  from  their  sins. 

73  And  he  hath  power  given  unto  him  from  the  Father,  to 
redeem  them  from  their  sins,  because  of  repentance;  therefore 


CHAP.  2.]  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  557 

he  hath  sent  his  angels  to  declare  the  tidings  of  the  conditions 
of  repentance,  which  bringeth  unto  the  power  of  the  Re- 
deemer, unto  the  salvation  of  their  souls. 

74  And  now  my  sons,  remember,  remember  that  it  is  upon 
the  rock  of  our  Redeemer,  who  is  Christ,  the  Son  of  God,  that 
ye  must  build  your  foundation,  that  when  the  devil  shall  send 
forth  his  mighty  winds;  yea,  his  shafts  in  the  whirlwind; 

75  Yea,  when  all  his  hail  and  his  mighty  storm  shall  beat 
upon  you,  it  shall  have  no  power  over  you,  to  drag  you  down 
to  the  gulf  of  misery  and  endless  wo,  because  of  the  rock  upon 
which  ye  are  built,  which  is  a  sure  foundation,  a  foundation 
whereon  if  men  build,  they  can  not  fall. 

76  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  these  were  the  words  which 
Helaman  taught  to  his  sons;  yea,  he  did  teach  them  many 
things  which  are  not  written,  and  also  many  things  which  are 
written. 

77  And  they  did  remember  his  words;  and  therefore  they 
went  forth,  keeping  the  commandments  of  God,  to  teach  the 
word  of  God  among  all  the  people  of  Nephi,  beginning  at  the 
city  Bountiful;  and  from  thence  forth  to  the  city  of  Gid;  and 
from  the  city  of  Gid  to  the  city  of  Mulek; 

78  And  even  from  one  city  to  another,  until  they  had  gone 
forth  among  all  the  people  of  Nephi,  who  were  in  the  land 
southward;  and  from  thence  into  the  land  of  Zarahemla, 
among  the  Lamanites. 

79  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  preach  with  great 
power,  insomuch  that  they  did  confound  many  of  those  dis- 
senters who  had  gone  over  from  the  Nephites,  insomuch  that 
they  came  forth  and  did  confess  their  sins,  and  were  bap- 
tized unto  repentance,  and  immediately  returned  to  the  Ne- 
phites, to  endeavor  to  repair  unto  them  the  wrongs  which 
they  had  done. 

80  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Nephi  and  Lehi  did  preach 
unto  the  Lamanites  with  such  great  power  and  authority,  for 
they  had  power  and  authority  given  unto  them  that  they 
might  speak;  and  they  also  had  what  they  should  speak  given 
unto  them; 

81  Therefore  they  did  speak  unto  the  great  astonishment 


658  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  [chap.  2. 

of  the  Lamanites,  to  the  convincing  them,  insomuch  that  there 
were  eight  thousand  of  the  Lamanites  who  were  in  the  land  of 
Zarahemla  and  round  about,  baptized  unto  repentance,  and 
were  convinced  of  the  wickedness  of  the  traditions  of  their 
fathers. 

82  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Nephi  and  Lehi  did  proceed 
from  thence  to  go  to  the  land  of  Nephi. 

83  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  were  taken  by  an  army 
of  the  Lamanites,  and  cast  into  prison;  yea,  even  in  that  same 
prison  in  which  Ammon  and  his  brethren  were  cast  by  the 
servants  of  Limhi. 

84  And  after  they  had  been  cast  into  prison  many  days 
without  food,  behold,  they  went  forth  into  the  prison  to  take 
them,  that  they  might  slay  them. 

85  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Nephi  and  Lehi  were  encircled 
about  as  if  by  fire,  even  insomuch  that  they  durst  not  lay 
their  hands  upon  them,  for  fear,  lest  they  should  be  burned. 

86  Nevertheless,  Nephi  and  Lehi  were  not  burned;  and 
they  were  as  standing  in  the  midst  of  fire,  and  were  not 
burned. 

87  And  when  they  saw  that  they  were  encircled  about  with 
a  pillar  of  fire  and  that  it  burned  them  not,  their  hearts  did 
take  courage. 

88  For  they  saw  that  the  Lamanites  durst  not  lay  their 
hands  upon  them;  neither  durst  they  come  near  unto  them, 
but  stood  as  if  they  were  struck  dumb  with  amazement. 

89  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Nephi  and  Lehi  did  stand 
forth,  and  began  to  speak  unto  them,  saying.  Fear  not,  for 
behold  it  is  God  that  has  shewn  unto  you  this  marvelous 
thing,  in  the  which  is  shewn  unto  you,  that  ye  can  not  lay 
your  hands  on  us  to  slay  us. 

90  And  behold,  when  they  had  said  these  words,  the  earth 
shook  exceedingly,  and  the  walls  of  the  prison  did  shake,  as 
if  they  were  about  to  tumble  to  the  earth;  but  behold,  they 
did  not  fall. 

91  And  behold,  they  that  were  in  the  prison,  were  Laman- 
ites, and  Nephites  who  were  dissenters. 

92  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  were  overshadowed  with  a 


CHAP.  2.]  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  559 

cloud  of  darkness,  and  an  awful,  solemn  fear  came  upon  them. 

93  And  it  came  to  pass  that  there  came  a  voice,  as  if  i^ 
were  above  the  cloud  of  darkness,  saying,  Repent  ye,  repent 
ye,  and  seek  no  more  to  destroy  my  servants  whom  I  have 
sent  unto  you  to  declare  good  tidings. 

94  ^And  it  came  to  pass  when  they  heard  this  voice,  and 
beheld  that  it  was  not  a  voice  of  thunder;  neither  was  it  a 
voice  of  a  great  tumultuous  noise,  but  behold,  it  was  a  still 
voice  of  perfect  mildness,  as  if  it  had  been  a  whisper,  and  it 
did  pierce  even  to  the  very  soul. 

95  And  notwithstanding  the  mildness  of  the  voice,  behold, 
the  earth  shook  exceedingly,  and  the  walls  of  the  prison  trem- 
bled again,  as  if  it  were  about  to  tumble  to  the  earth;  and 
behold  the  cloud  of  darkness  which  had  overshadowed  them, 
did  not  disperse. 

96  And  behold,  the  voice  came  again,  saying,  Repent  ye, 
repent  ye,  for  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  at  hand;  and  seek 
no  more  to  destroy  my  servants. 

97  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  earth  shook  ^gain,  and 
the  walls  trembled;  and  also  again  the  third  time  the  voice 
came,  and  did  speak  unto  them  marvelous  words,  which  can 
not  be  uttered  by  man;  and  the  walls  did  tremble  again,  and 
the  earth  shook  as  if  it  were  about  to  divide  asunder. 

98  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lamanites  could  not  flee, 
because  of  the  cloud  of  darkness  which  did  overshadow  them; 
yea,  and  also  they  were  immovable,  because  of  the  fear  which 
did  come  upon  them. 

99  Now  there  was  one  among  them  who  was  a  Nephite  by 
birth,  who  had  once  belonged  to  the  church  of  God,  but  had 
dissented  from  them. 

100  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  turned  him  about,  and  be- 
hold, he  saw  through  the  cloud  of  darkness  the  faces  of  Ne- 
phi  and  Lehi;  and  behold,  they  did  shine  exceedingly,  even  as 
the  faces  of  angels. 

101  And  he  beheld  that  they  did  lift  their  eyes  to  heaven; 
and  they  were  in  the  attitude  as  if  talking  or  lifting  their 
voices  to  some  being  whom  they  beheld. 


560  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  [chap.  2. 

102  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  this  man  did  cry  unto  the 
multitude,  that  they  might  turn  and  look. 

103  And  behold,  there  was  power  given  unto  them,  that 
they  did  turn  and  look;  and  they  did  behold  the  faces  of  Ne- 
phi  and  Lehi. 

104  And  they  said  unto  the  man,  Behold,  what  doth  all 
these  things  mean?  and  who  is  it  with  whom  these  men  do 
converse? 

105  Now  the  man's  name  was  Aminadab.  And  Aminadab 
said  unto  them.  They  do  converse  with  the  angels  of  God. 

106  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lamanites  said  unto  him. 
What  shall  we  do,  that  this  cloud  of  darkness  may  be  removed 
from  overshadowing  us? 

107  And  Aminadab  said  unto  them.  You  must  repent,  and 
cry  unto  the  voice,  even  until  ye  shall  have  faith  in  Christ, 
who  was  taught  unto  you  by  Alma,  and  Amulek,  and  Zeez- 
rom;  and  when  ye  shall  do  this,  the  cloud  of  darkness  shall 
be  removed  from  overshadowing  you. 

108  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  all  did  begin  to  cry  unto 
the  voice' of  him  who  had  shook  the  earth;  yea,  they  did  cry 
even  until  the  cloud  of  darkness  was  dispersed. 

109  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  they  cast  their  eyes 
about,  and  saw  that  the  cloud  of  darkness  was  dispersed  from 
overshadowing  them,  and  behold,  they  saw  that  they  were 
encircled  about,  yea,  every  soul,  by  a  pillar  of  fire. 

110  And  Nephi  and  Lehi  were  in  the  midst  of  them;  yea, 
they  were  encircled  about;  yea,  they  were  as  if  in  the  midst 
of  a  flaming  fire,  yet  it  did  harm  them  not,  neither  did  it  take 
hold  upon  the  walls  of  the  prison;  and  they  were  filled  with 
that  joy  which  is  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory. 

111  And  behold  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  did  come  down  from 
heaven,  and  did  enter  into  their  hearts,  and  they  were  filled 
as  if  with  fire;  and  they  could  speak  forth  marvelous  words. 

112  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  there  came  a  voice  unto 
them,  yea,  a  pleasant  voice,  as  if  it  were  a  whisper,  saying, 
Peace,  peace  be  unto  you,  because  of  your  faith  in  my  well 
beloved,  who  was  from  the  foundation  of  the  world. 

113  And  now  when  they  heard  this,  they  cast  up  their  eyes 


CHAP.  2.]  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  561 

as  if  to  behold  from  whence  the  voice  came;  and  behold,  they 
saw  the  heavens  open :  and  angels  came  down  out  of  heaven, 
and  ministered  unto  them. 

114  And  there  were  about  three  hundred  souls  who  saw 
and  heard  these  things;  and  they  were  bid  to  go  forth  and 
marvel  not,  neither  should  they  doubt. 

115  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  go  forth,  and  did 
minister  unto  the  people,  declaring  throughout  all  the  regions 
round  about,  all  the  things  which  they  had  heard  and  seen, 
insomuch  that  the  more  part  of  the  Lamanites  were  con- 
vinced of  them,  because  of  the  greatness  of  the  evidences 
which  they  had  received; 

116  And  as  many  as  were  convinced,  did  lay  down  their 
weapons  of  war,  and  also  their  hatred,  and  the  tradition  of 
their  fathers. 

117  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  yield  up  unto  the 
Nephites,  the  lands  of  their  possession. 

118  11  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  the  sixty  and  second 
year  of  the  reign  of  the  Judges  had  ended,  all  these  things 
had  happened,  and  the  Lamanites  had  become,  the  more  part 
of  them,  a  righteous  people,  insomuch  that  their  righteousness 
did  exceed  that  of  the  Nephites,  because  of  their  firmness, 
and  their  steadiness  in  the  faith. 

119  For  behold,  there  were  many  of  the  Nephites  who  had 
become  hardened,  and  impenitent,  and  grossly  wicked,  inso- 
much that  they  did  reject  the  word  of  God,  and  all  the  preach- 
ing and  prophesying  which  did  come  among  them. 

120  Nevertheless  the  people  of  the  church  did  have  great 
joy  because  of  the  conversion  of  the  Lamanites;  yea,  because 
of  the  church  of  God,  which  had  been  established  among  them. 

121  And  they  did  fellowship  one  with  another,  and  did  re- 
joice one  with  another,  and  did  have  great  joy. 

122  And  it  came  to  pass  that  many  of  the  Lamanites  did 
come  down  into  the  land  of  Zarahemla,  and  did  declare  unto 
the  people  of  the  Nephites  the  manner  of  their  conversion, 
and  did  exhort  them  to  faith  and  repentance; 

123  Yea,  and  many  did  preach  with  exceeding  great  power 
and  authority,  unto  the  bringing  down  many  of  them  into  the 


562  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  [chap.  2. 

depths  of  humility,  to  be  the  humble  followers  of  God  and  the 
Lamb. 

124  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  many  of  the  Lamanites  did 
go  into  the  land  northward;  and  also  Nephi  and  Lehi  went 
into  the  land  northward,  to  preach  unto  the  people. 

125  And  thus  ended  the  sixty  and  third  year. 

126  And  behold,  there  was  peace  in  all  the  land,  insomuch 
that  the  Nephites  did  go  into  whatsoever  part  of  the  land 
they  would,  whether  among  the  Nephites  or  the  Lamanites. 

127  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lamanites  did  also  go 
whithersoever  they  would,  whether  it  were  among  the  La- 
manites or  among  the  Nephites;  and  thus  they  did  have  free 
intercourse  one  with  another,  to  buy  and  to  sell,  and  to  get 
gain,  according  to  their  desire. 

128  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  became  exceeding  rich, 
both  the  Lamanites  and  the  Nephites;  and  they  did  have  an 
exceeding  plenty  of  gold,  and  of  silver,  and  of  all  manner  of 
precious  metals,  both  in  the  land  south,  and  in  the  land  north. 

129  Now  the  land  south  was  called  Lehi,  and  the  land  north 
was  called  Mulek,  which  was  after  the  son  of  Zedekiah;  for 
the  Lord  did  bring  Mulek  into  the  land  north,  and  Lehi  into 
the  land  south. 

130  And  behold,  there  was  all  manner  of  gold  in  both  these 
lands,  and  of  silver,  and  of  precious  ore  of  every  kind;  and 
there  were  also  curious  workmen,  who  did  work  all  kinds  of 
ore,  and  did  refine  it;  and  thus  they  did  become  rich. 

131  They  did  raise  grain  in  abundance,  both  in  the  north 
and  in  the  south.  And  they  did  flourish  exceedingly,  both  in 
the  north  and  in  the  south. 

132  And  they  did  multiply  and  wax  exceeding  strong  in 
the  land.  And  they  did  raise  many  flocks  and  herds,  yea, 
many  fatlings. 

133  Behold,  their  women  did  toil  and  spin,  and  did  make  all 
manner  of  cloth,  of  fine  twined  linen,  and  cloth  of  every  kind, 
to  clothe  their  nakedness. 

134  And  thus  the  sixty  and  fourth  year  did  pass  away  in 
peace. 

135  And  in  the  sixty  and  fifth  year,  they  did  also  have 


CHAP.  2.]  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  563 

great  joy  and  peace;  yea,  much  preaching,  and  many  prophe- 
cies concerning  that  which  was  to  come.  And  thus  passed 
away  the  sixty  and  fifth  year. 

136  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  in  the  sixty  and  sixth  year 
of  the  reign  of  the  Judges,  behold,  Cezoram  was  murdered  by 
an  unknown  hand,  as  he  sat  upon  the  judgment  seat. 

137  And  it  came  to  pass  that  in  the  same  year  that  his  son, 
who  had  been  appointed  by  the  people  in  his  stead,  was  also 
murdered.     And  thus  ended  the  sixty  and  sixth  year. 

138  And  in  the  commencement  of  the  sixty  and  seventh 
year,  the  people  began  to  grow  exceeding  wicked  again. 

139  For  behold,  the  Lord  had  blessed  them  so  long  with  the 
riches  of  the  world,  that  they  had  not  been  stirred  up  to 
anger,  to  wars,  nor  to  bloodsheds;  therefore  they  began  to  set 
their  hearts  upon  their  riches; 

140  Yea,  they  began  to  seek  to  get  gain,  that  they  might 
be  lifted  up  one  above  another;  therefore  they  began  to  com- 
mit secret  murders,  and  to  rob  and  to  plunder  that  they  might 
get  gain. 

141  And  now  behold,  those  murderers  and  plunderers  were 
a  band  who  had  been  formed  by  Kishkumen  and  Gadianton. 

142  And  now  it  had  come  to  pass  that  there  were  many 
even  among  the  Nephites,  of  Gadianton's  band.  But  behold, 
they  were  more  numerous  among  the  more  wicked  part  of  the 
Lamanites. 

143  And  they  were  called  Gadianton's  robbers  and  murder- 
ers; and  it  was  they  who  did  murder  the  chief  judge  Cezo- 
ram, and  his  son,  while  in  the  judgment  seat;  and  behold  they 
were  not  found. 

144  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  the  Lamanites 
found  that  there  were  robbers  among  them,  they  were  ex- 
ceeding sorrowful;  and  they  did  use  every  means  in  their 
power,  to  destroy  them  off  the  face  of  the  earth. 

145  But  behold,  Satan  did  stir  up  the  hearts  of  the  more 
part  of  the  Nephites,  insomuch  that  they  did  unite  with  those 
bands  of  robbers,  and  did  enter  into  their  covenants,  and  their 
oaths,  that  they  would  protect  and  preserve  one  another,  in 
whatsoever  difficult  circumstances  they  should  be  placed,  that 


564  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  [chap.  2. 

they  should  not  suffer  for  their  murders,  and  their  plunder- 
ings,  and  their  stealings. 

146  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  have  their  signs, 
yea,  their  secret  signs,  and  their  secret  words;  and  this  that 
they  might  distinguish  a  brother  who  had  entered  into  the 
covenant,  that  whatsoever  wickedness  his  brother  should  do, 
he  should  not  be  injured  by  his  brother,  nor  by  those  who  did 
belong  to  his  band,  who  had  taken  this  covenant; 

147  And  thus  they  might  murder,  and  plunder,  and  steal, 
and  commit  whoredoms,  and  all  manner  of  wickedness,  con- 
trary to  the  laws  of  their  country  and  also  the  laws  of  their 
God; 

148  And  whosoever  of  those  who  belonged  to  their  band, 
should  reveal  unto  the  world  of  their  wickedness  and  their 
abominations,  should  be  tried,  not  according  to  the  laws  of 
their  country,  but  according  to  the  laws  of  their  wickedness, 
which  had  been  given  by  Gadianton  and  Kishkumen. 

149  Now  behold,  it  is  these  secret  oaths  and  covenants, 
which  Alma  commanded  his  son  should  not  go  forth  unto  the 
world,  lest  they  should  be  a  means  of  bringing  down  the  peo- 
ple unto  destruction. 

150  Now  behold,  those  secret  oaths  and  covenants  did  not 
come  forth  unto  Gadianton  from  the  records  which  were  de- 
livered unto  Helaman; 

151  But  behold,  they  were  put  into  the  heart  of  Gadianton, 
by  that  same  being  who  did  entice  our  first  parents  to  partake 
of  the  forbidden  fruit;  yea,  that  same  being  who  did  plot  with 
Cain,  that  if  he  would  murder  his  brother  Abel,  it  should  not 
be  known  unto  the  world. 

152  And  he  did  plot  with  Cain  and  his  followers,  from  that 
time  forth. 

153  And  also  it  is  that  same  being  who  put  it  into  the 
hearts  of  the  people,  to  build  a  tower  sufficiently  high  that 
they  might  get  to  heaven. 

154  And  it  was  that  same  being  who  led  on  the  people  who 
came  from  that  tower  into  this  land;  who  spread  the  works 
of  darkness  and  abominations  over  all  the  face  of  the  land. 


CHAP.  2.]  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  565 

until  he  dragged  the  people  down  to  an  entire  destruction, 
and  to  an  everlasting  hell; 

155  Yea,  it  is  that  same  being  who  put  it  into  the  heart  of 
Gadianton,  to  still  carry  on  the  work  of  darkness,  and  of 
secret  murder;  and  he  has  brought  it  forth  from  the  begin- 
ning of  man,  even  down  to  this  time. 

156  And  behold,  it  is  he  who  is  the  author  of  all  sin.  And 
behold,  he  doth  carry  on  his  works  of  darkness  and  secret 
murder,  and  doth  hand  down  their  plots,  and  their  oaths, 
and  their  covenants,  and  their  plans  of  awful  wickedness, 
from  generation  to  generation,  according  as  he  can  get  hold 
upon  the  hearts  of  the  children  of  men. 

157  And  now  behold,  he  had  got  great  hold  upon  the  hearts 
of  the  Nephites;  yea,  insomuch  that  they  had  become  exceed- 
ing wicked; 

158  Yea,  the  more  part  of  them  had  turned  out  of  the  way 
of  righteousness,  and  did  trample  under  their  feet  the  com- 
mandments of  God,  and  did  turn  unto  their  own  ways,  and 
did  build  up  unto  themselves  idols  of  their  gold  and  their 
silver. 

159  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  all  these  iniquities  did  come 
unto  them,  in  the  space  of  not  many  years,  insomuch  that  a 
more  part  of  it  had  come  unto  them  in  the  sixty  and  seventh 
year  of  the  reign  of  the  Judges  over  the  people  of  Nephi. 

160  And  they  did  grow  in  their  iniquities,  in  the  sixty  and 
eighth  year  also,  to  the  great  sorrow  and  lamentation  of  the 
righteous. 

161  And  thus  we  see  that  the  Nephites  did  begin  to  dwindle 
in  unbelief,  and  grow  in  wickedness  and  abominations,  while 
the  Lamanites  began  to  grow  exceedingly  in  the  knowledge  of 
their  God;  yea,  they  did  begin  to  keep  his  statutes  and  com- 
mandments, and  to  walk  in  truth  and  uprightness  before  him. 

162  And  thus  we  see  that  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  began  to 
withdraw  from  the  Nephites,  because  of  the  wickedness  and 
the  hardness  of  their  hearts. 

163  And  thus  we  see  that  the  Lord  began  to  pour  out  his 
Spirit  upon  the  Lamanites,  because  of  their  easiness  and  will- 
ingness to  believe  in  his  word. 


566  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  [chap.  3. 

164  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lamanites  did  hunt  the 
band  of  robbers  of  Gadianton;  and  they  did  preach  the  word 
of  God  among  the  more  wicked  part  of  them,  insomuch  that 
this  band  of  robbers  was  utterly  destroyed  from  among  the 
Lamanites. 

165  And  it  came  to  pass  on  the  other  hand,  that  the  Ne- 
phites  did  build  them  up  and  support  them,  beginning  at  the 
more  wicked  part  of  them,  until  they  had  overspread  all  the 
land  of  the  Nephites,  and  had  seduced  the  more  part  of  the 
righteous  until  they  had  come  down  to  believe  in  their  works, 
and  partake  of  their  spoils,  and  to  join  with  them  in  their 
secret  murders  and  combinations. 

166  And  thus  they  did  obtain  the  sole  management  of  the 
government,  insomuch  that  they  did  trample  under  their  feet, 
and  smite,  and  rend,  and  turn  their  backs  upon  the  poor,  and 
the  meek,  and  the  humble  followers  of  God. 

167  And  thus  we  see  that  they  were  in  an  awful  state,  and 
ripening  for  an  everlasting  destruction. 

168  And  it  came  to  pass  that  thus  ended  the  sixty  and 
eighth  year  of  the  reign  of  the  Judges  over  the  people  of 
Nephi. 

CHAPTER  3. 

The  prophecy  of  Nephi,  the  son  of  Helaman. — God  threatens 
the  people  of  Nephi,  that  he  will  visit  them  in  his  anger,  to 
their  utter  destruction,  except  they  repent  of  their  wicked- 
ness. God  smiteth  the  people  of  Nephi  with  pestilence; 
they  repent  and  turn  unto  him.  Samuel,  a  Lamanite, 
prophesies  unto  the  Nephites. 

1  TJBehold,  now  it  came  to  pass  in  the  sixty  and  ninth  year 
of  the  reign  of  the  Judges  over  the  people  of  the  Nephites, 
that  Nephi,  the  son  of  Helaman,  returned  to  the  land  of 
Zarahemla,  from  the  land  northward:  for  he  had  been  forth 
among  the  people  who  were  in  the  land  northward,  and  did 
preach  the  word  of  God  unto  them,  and  did  prophesy  many 
things  unto  them; 

2  And  they  did  reject  all  his  words,  insomuch  that  he  could 


CHAP.  3.]  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  567 

not  stay  among  them,  but  returned  again  unto  the  land  of  his 
nativity; 

3  And  seeing  the  people  in  a  state  of  such  awful  wicked- 
ness, and  those  Gadianton  robbers  filling  the  judgment  seats, 
having  usurped  the  power  and  authority  of  the  land;  laying 
aside  the  commandments  of  God,  and  not  in  the  least  aright 
before  him:  doing  no  justice  unto  the  children  of  men;  con- 
demning the  righteous  because  of  their  righteousness;  letting 
the  guilty  and  the  wicked  go  unpunished,  because  of  their 
money ; 

4  And  moreover,  to  be  held  in  office  at  the  head  of  govern- 
ment, to  rule  and  do  according  to  their  wills,  that  they  might 
get  gain  and  glory  of  the  world;  and  moreover  that  they 
might  the  more  easy  commit  adultery,  and  steal,  and  kill, 
and  do  according  to  their  own  wills. 

5  Now  this  great  iniquity  had  come  upon  the  Nephites,  in 
the  space  of  not  many  years;  and  when  Nephi  saw  it,  his 
heart  was  swollen  with  sorrow  within  his  breast; 

6  And  he  did  exclaim  in  the  agony  of  his  soul,  O  that  I 
could  have  had  my  days,  in  the  days  when  my  father  Nephi 
first  came  out  of  the  land  of  Jerusalem,  that  I  could  have 
joyed  with  him  in  the  promised  land; 

7  Then  were  his  people  easy  to  be  entreated,  firm  to  keep 
the  commandments  of  God,  and  slow  to  be  led  to  do  iniquity; 
and  they  were  quick  to  hearken  unto  the  words  of  the  Lord; 

8  Yea,  if  my  days  could  have  been  in  them  days,  then  would 
my  soul  have  had  joy  in  the  righteousness  of  my  brethren. 

9  But  behold,  I  am  consigned  that  these  are  my  days,  and 
that  my  soul  shall  be  filled  with  sorrow,  because  of  this  the 
wickedness  of  my  brethren. 

10  And  behold,  now  it  came  to  pass  that  it  was  upon  a 
tower,  which  was  in  the  garden  of  Nephi,  which  was  by  the 
highway  which  led  to  the  chief  market,  which  was  in  the  city 
of  Zarahemla; 

11  Therefore  Nephi  had  bowed  himself  upon  the  tower 
which  was  in  his  garden,  which  tower  was  also  near  unto  the 
garden  gate  which  led  by  the  highway. 

12  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  there  were  certain  men  pass- 


568  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  [chap.  3. 

ing  by,  and  saw  Nephi  as  he  was  pouring  out  his  soul  unto 
God  upon  the  tower,  and  they  ran  and  told  the  people  what 
they  had  seen,  and  the  people  came  together  in  multitudes 
that  they  might  know  the  cause  of  so  great  mourning  for  the 
wickedness  of  the  people. 

13  And  now  when  Nephi  arose  he  beheld  the  multitudes  of 
people  who  had  gathered  together. 

14  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  opened  his  mouth  and  said 
Unto  them,  Behold,  why  have  ye  gathered  yourselves  together? 
That  I  may  tell  you  of  your  iniquities? 

15  Yea,  because  I  have  got  upon  my  tower,  that  I  might 
pour  out  my  soul  unto  my  God,  because  of  the  exceeding  sor- 
row of  my  heart,  which  is  because  of  your  iniquities? 

16  And  because  of  my  mourning  and  lamentation,  ye  have 
gathered  yourselves  together,  and  do  marvel ;  yea,  and  ye  have 
great  need  to  marvel; 

17  Yea,  ye  had  ought  to  marvel,  because  ye  are  given  away, 
that  the  devil  has  got  so  great  hold  upon  your  hearts;  yea, 
how  could  ye  have  given  away  to  the  enticing  of  him  who  is 
seeking  to  hurl  away  your  souls  down  to  everlasting  misery 
and  endless  wo? 

18  O  repent  ye,  repent  ye!  why  will  ye  die?  Turn  ye,  turn 
ye  unto  the  Lord  your  God.    Why  has  he  forsaken  you? 

19  It  is  because  you  have  hardened  your  hearts;  yea,  ye 
will  not  hearken  unto  the  voice  of  the  Good  Shepherd;  yea,  ye 
have  provoked  him  to  anger  against  you. 

20  And  behold,  instead  of  gathering  you,  except  ye  will 
repent,  behold  he  shall  scatter  you  forth  that  ye  shall  become 
meat  for  dogs  and  wild  beasts. 

21  0  how  could  you  have  forgotten  your  God  in  the  very 
day  that  he  has  delivered  you? 

22  But  behold,  it  is  to  get  gain,  to  be  praised  of  men;  yea, 
and  that  ye  might  get  gold  and  silver. 

23  And  ye  have  set  your  hearts  upon  the  riches  and  the 
vain  things  of  this  world,  for  the  which  ye  do  murder,  and 
plunder,  and  steal,  and  bear  false  witness  against  your  neigh- 
bor, and  do  all  manner  of  iniquity;  and  for  this  cause  wo 
shall  come  unto  you  except  ye  shall  repent. 


CHAP.  3.]  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  569 

24  For  if  ye  will  not  repent,  behold  this  great  city,  and 
also  all  those  great  cities  which  are  round  about,  which  are 
in  the  land  of  our  possession,  shall  be  taken  away,  that  ye 
shall  have  no  place  in  them,  for  behold,  the  Lord  will  not 
grant  unto  you  strength,  as  he  has  hitherto  done,  to  withstand 
against  your  enemies. 

25  For  behold,  thus  saith  the  Lord,  I  will  not  shew  unto  the 
wicked  of  my  strength,  to  one  more  than  the  other,  save  it  be 
unto  those  who  repent  of  their  sins,  and  hearken  unto  my 
words; 

26  Now  therefore  I  would  that  ye  should  behold,  my  breth- 
ren, that  it  shall  be  better  for  the  Lamanites  than  for  you, 
except  ye  shall  repent;  for  behold  they  are  more  righteous 
than  you;  for  they  have  not  sinned  against  that  great  knowl- 
edge which  ye  have  received; 

27  Therefore  the  Lord  will  be  merciful  unto  them;  yea,  he 
will  lengthen  out  their  days  and  increase  their  seed,  even 
when  thou  shalt  be  utterly  destroyed,  except  thou  shalt  re- 
pent; 

28  Yea,  wo  be  unto  you  because  of  that  great  abomination 
which  has  come  among  you;  and  ye  have  united  yourselves 
unto  it,  yea,  to  that  secret  band  which  was  established  by 
Gadianton ; 

29  Yea,  wo  shall  come  unto  you  because  of  that  pride  which 
ye  have  suffered  to  enter  your  hearts,  which  has  lifted  you  up 
beyond  that  which  is  good  because  of  your  exceeding  great 
riches;  yea,  wo  be  unto  you  because  of  your  wickedness  and 
abominations. 

30  And  except  ye  repent,  ye  shall  perish;  yea,  even  your 
lands  shall  be  taken  from  you,  and  ye  shall  be  destroyed  from 
off  the  face  of  the  earth. 

31  Behold  now  I  do  not  say  that  these  things  shall  be,  of 
myself,  because  it  is  not  of  myself  that  I  know  these  things; 
but  behold,  I  know  that  these  things  are  true,  because  the 
Lord  God  has  made  them  known  unto  me;  therefore  I  testify 
that  they  shall  be. 

32  I'lAnd  now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Nephi  had  said 
these   words,  behold  there  were  men  who  were  judges,  who 


570  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  [chap.  3. 

also  belonged  to  the  secret  band  of  Gadianton,  and  they  were 
angry, 

33  And  they  cried  out  against  him,  saying  unto  the  people. 
Why  do  ye  not  seize  upon  this  man  and  bring  him  forth,  that 
he  may  be  condemned  according  to  the  crime  which  he  has 
done? 

34  Why  seest  thou  this  man,  and  hearest  him  revile  against 
this  people  and  against  our  law? 

35  For  behold,  Nephi  had  spoken  unto  them  concerning  the 
corruptness  of  their  law;  yea,  many  things  did  Nephi  speak 
which  can  not  be  written ;  and  nothing  did  he  speak  which  was 
contrary  to  the  commandments  of  God. 

36  And  those  judges  were  angry  with  him  because  he  spake 
plain  unto  them  concerning  their  secret  works  of  darkness; 
nevertheless  they  durst  not  lay  their  own  hands  upon  him; 
for  they  feared  the  people,  lest  they  should  cry  out  against 
them;  therefore  they  did  cry  unto  the  people,  saying,  Why  do 
ye  suffer  this  man  to  revile  against  us? 

37  For  behold,  he  doth  condemn  all  this  people,  even  unto 
destruction;  yea,  and  also  that  these  our  great  cities  shall  be 
taken  from  us,  that  we  shall  have  no  place  in  them. 

38  And  now  we  know  that  this  is  impossible;  for  behold  we 
are  powerful,  and  our  cities  great;  therefore  our  enemies  can 
have  no  power  over  us. 

39  And  it  came  to  pass  that  thus  they  did  stir  up  the  peo- 
ple to  anger  against  Nephi,  and  raised  contentions  among 
them;  for  there  were  some  who  did  cry  out.  Let  this  man 
alone,  for  he  is  a  good  man,  and  those  things  which  he  saith 
will  surely  come  to  pass  except  we  repent; 

40  Yea,  behold  all  the  judgments  will  come  upon  us  which 
he  has  testified  unto  us;  for  we  know  that  he  has  testified 
aright  unto  us  concerning  our  iniquities. 

41  And  behold  they  are  many;  and  he  knoweth  as  well  all 
things  which  shall  befall  us  as  he  knoweth  of  our  iniquities; 
yea,  and  behold  if  he  had  not  been  a  prophet  he  could  not 
have  testified  concerning  those  things. 

42  And  it  came  to  pass  that  those  people  who   sought  to 


CHAP.  3.]  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  571 

destroy   Nephi,   were   compelled  because   of  their   fear,   that 
they  did  not  lay  their  hands  on  him. 

43  Therefore  he  began  again  to  speak  unto  them,  seeing 
that  he  had  gained  favor  in  the  eyes  of  some,  insomuch  that 
the  remainder  of  them  did  fear. 

44  Therefore  he  was  constrained  to  speak  more  unto  them, 
saying.  Behold  my  brethren,  have  ye  not  read  that  God  gave 
power  unto  one  man,  even  Moses,  to  smite  upon  the  waters  of 
the  Red  Sea,  and  they  parted  hither  and  thither,  insomuch 
that  the  Israelites,  who  were  our  fathers,  came  through  upon 
dry  ground,  and  the  waters  closed  upon  the  armies  of  the 
Egyptians,  and  swallowed  them  up? 

45  ^And  now  behold,  if  God  gave  unto  this  man  such  power, 
then  why  should  ye  dispute  among  yourselves,  and  say  that 
he  hath  given  unto  me  no  power  whereby  I  may  know  con- 
cerning the  judgments  that  shall  come  upon  you  except  ye 
repent? 

46  But  behold,  ye  not  only  deny  my  words,  but  ye  also 
deny  all  the  words  which  hath  been  spoken  by  our  fathers, 
and  also  the  words  which  were  spoken  by  this  man,  Moses, 
who  had  such  great  power  given  unto  him;  yea,  the  words 
which  he  hath  spoken  concerning  the  coming  of  the  Messiah. 

47  Yea,  did  he  not  bear  record,  that  the  Son  of  God 
should  come?  And  as  he  lifted  up  the  brazen  serpent  in  the 
wilderness,  even  so  shall  he  be  lifted  up  who  should  come. 

48  And  as  many  as  should  look  upon  that  serpent  should 
live,  even  so  as  many  as  should  look  upon  the  Son  of  God, 
with  faith,  having  a  contrite  spirit,  might  live,  even  unto  that 
life  which  is  eternal. 

49  And  now  behold,  Moses  did  not  only  testify  of  these 
things,  but  also  all  the  holy  prophets,  from  his  days  even  to 
the  days  of  Abraham. 

50  Yea,  and  behold,  Abraham  saw  of  his  coming,  and  was 
filled  with  gladness,  and  did  rejoice. 

51  Yea,  and  behold  I  say  unto  you,  that  Abraham  not  only 
knew  of  these  things,  but  there  were  many  before  the  days 
of  Abraham  who  were  called  by  the  order  of  God;  yea,  even 
after  the  order  of  his  Son; 


572  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  [chap.  3. 

52  And  this  that  it  should  be  shewn  unto  the  people  a  great 
many  thousand  years  before  his  coming,  that  even  redemp- 
tion should  come  unto  them. 

53  And  now  I  would  that  ye  should  know,  that  even  since 
the  days  of  Abraham,  there  have  been  many  prophets  that 
have  testified  these  things;  yea,  behold,  the  prophet  Zenos 
did  testify  boldly;  for  the  which  he  was  slain. 

54  And  behold,  also  Zenock,  and  also  Ezaias,  and  also 
Isaiah,  and  Jeremiah,  (Jeremiah  being  that  same  prophet  who 
testified  of  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem.) 

55  And  now  we  know  that  Jerusalem  was  destroyed  ac- 
cording to  the  words  of  Jeremiah.  O  then  why  not  the  Son 
of  God  come,  according  to  his  prophecy? 

56  And  now  will  ye  dispute  that  Jerusalem  was  destroyed? 
Will  ye  say  that  the  sons  of  Zedekiah  were  not  slain,  all  ex- 
cept it  were  Mulek? 

57  Yea,  and  do  ye  not  behold  that  the  seed  of  Zedekiah  are 
with  us,  and  they  were  driven  out  of  the  land  of  Jerusalem? 

58  But  behold,  this  is  not  all.  Our  father  Lehi  was  driven 
out  of  Jerusalem,  because  he  testified  of  these  things. 

59  Nephi  also  testified  of  these  things,  and  also  almost  all 
of  our  fathers,  even  down  to  this  time;  yea,  they  have  testi- 
fied of  the  coming  of  Christ,  and  have  looked  forward,  and 
have  rejoiced  in  his  day  which  is  to  come. 

60  And  behold,  he  is  God,  and  he  is  with  them,  and  he  did 
manifest  himself  unto  them  that  they  were  redeemed  by  him; 
and  they  gave  unto  him  glory,  because  of  that  which  is  to 
come. 

61  And  now  seeing  ye  know  these  things  and  can  not  deny 
them,  except  ye  shall  lie,  therefore  in  this  ye  have  sinned,  for 
ye  have  rejected  all  these  things,  notwithstanding  so  many 
evidences  which  ye  have  received; 

62  Yea,  even  ye  have  received  all  things,  both  things  in 
heaven,  and  all  things  which  are  in  the  earth,  as  a  witness 
that  they  are  true. 

63  But  behold,  ye  have  rejected  the  truth,  and  rebelled 
against  your  holy  God;  and  even  at  this  time,  instead  of 
laying  up  for  yourselves  treasures  in  heaven,  where  nothing 


CHAP.  3.]  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  573 

doth  corrupt,  and  where  nothing  can  come  which  is  unclean, 
ye  are  heaping  up  for  yourselves  wrath  against  the  day  of 
judgment;  'o 

64  Yea,  even  at  this  time  ye  are  ripening,  because  of  your 
murders,  and  your  fornication  and  wickedness,  for  everlast- 
ing destruction;  yea,  and  except  ye  repent,  it  will  come  unto 
you  soon; 

65  Yea,  behold  it  is  now  even  at  your  doors;  yea,  go  ye  in 
unto  the  judgment  seat,  and  search;  and  behold,  your  judge 
is  murdered,  and  he  lieth  in  his  blood;  and  he  hath  been  mur- 
dered by  his  brother,  who  seeketh  to  sit  in  the  judgment  seat. 

66  And  behold,  they  both  belong  to  your  secret  band,  whose 
author  is  Gadianton,  and  the  evil  one  who  seeketh  to  destroy 
the  souls  of  men. 

67  TJBehold,  now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Nephi  had 
spoken  these  words,  certain  men  who  were  among  them  ran 
to  the  judgment  seat;  yea,  even  there  were  five  who  went; 

68  And  they  said  among  themselves  as  they  went.  Behold, 
now  we  will  know  of  a  surety,  whether  this  man  be  a  prophet, 
and  God  hath  commanded  him  to  prophesy  such  marvelous 
things  unto  us. 

69  Behold,  we  do  not  believe  that  he  hath;  yea,  we  do  not 
believe  that  he  is  a  prophet;  nevertheless,  if  this  thing  which 
he  has  said  concerning  the  chief  judge  be  true,  that  he  be 
dead,  then  will  we  believe  that  the  other  words  which  he  has 
spoken  are  true. 

70  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  ran  in  their  might,  and 
came  in  unto  the  judgment  seat;  and  behold  the  chief  judge 
had  fallen  to  the  earth,  and  did  lie  in  his  blood. 

71  And  now  behold,  when  they  saw  this,  they  were  aston- 
ished exceedingly,  insomuch  that  they  fell  to  the  earth;  for 
they  had  not  believed  the  words  which  Nephi  had  spoken  con- 
cerning the  chief  judge; 

72  But  now  when  they  saw,  they  believed,  and  fear  came 
upon  them,  lest  all  the  judgments  which  Nephi  had  spoken 
should  come  upon  the  people;  therefore  they  did  quake,  and 
had  fallen  to  the  earth. 

73  Now  immediately  when  the  judge  had  been  murdered; 


574  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  [chap.  3. 

he  being  stabbed  by  his  brother  by  a  garb  of  secrecy;  and  he 
fled,  and  the  servants  ran  and  told  the  people,  raising  the  cry 
of  murder  among  them. 

74  And  behold  the  people  did  gather  themselves  together 
unto  the  place  of  the  judgment  seat:  and  behold,  to  their 
astonishment,  they  saw  those  five  men  who  had  fallen  to  the 
earth. 

75  And  now  behold,  the  people  knew  nothing  concerning 
the  multitude  which  had  gathered  together  at  the  garden  of 
Nephi;  therefore  they  said  among  themselves,  These  men 
are  they  who  have  murdered  the  judge,  and  God  has  smitten 
them  that  they  could  not  flee  from  us. 

76  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  they  laid  hold  on  them,  and 
bound  them,  and  cast  them  into  prison. 

77  And  there  was  a  proclamation  sent  abroad  that  the 
judge  was  slain,  and  that  the  murderers  had  been  taken,  and 
were  cast  into  prison. 

78  And  it  came  to  pass  that  on  the  morrow,  the  people  did 
assemble  themselves  together  to  mourn  and  to  fast,  at  the 
burial  of  the  great  chief  judge,  who  had  been  slain. 

79  And  thus  were  also  those  judges  who  were  at  the  garden 
of  Nephi,  and  heard  his  words,  were  also  gathered  together 
at  the  burial. 

80  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  inquired  among  the  peo- 
ple, saying.  Where  are  the  five  who  were  sent  to  inquire  con- 
cerning the  chief  judge  whether  he  was  dead? 

81  And  they  answered  and  said.  Concerning  this  five  whom 
ye  say  ye  have  sent,  we  know  not;  but  there  are  five,  who  are 
the  murderers,  whom  we  have  cast  into  prison. 

82  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  judges  desired  that  they 
should  be  brought;  and  they  were  brought,  and  behold  they 
were  the  five  who  were  sent; 

83  And  behold  the  judges  inquired  of  them  to  know  con- 
cerning the  matter,  and  they  told  them  all  that  they  had  done, 
saying,  We  ran  and  came  to  the  place  of  the  judgment  seat, 
and  when  we  saw  all  things,  even  as  Nephi  had  testified,  we 
were   astonished,   insomuch   that  we   fell   to   the   earth;    and 


CHAP.  3.]  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  575 

when  we  were  recovered  from  our  astonishment,  behold  they 
cast  us  into  prison. 

84  Now  as  for  the  murder  of  this  man,  we  know  not  who 
has  done  it,  and  only,  this  much  we  know,  we  ran  and  came 
according  as  ye  desired,  and  behold  he  was  dead  according 
to  the  words  of  Nephi. 

85  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass,  that  the  judges  did  expound 
the  matter  unto  the  people,  and  did  cry  out  against  Nephi, 
saying.  Behold  we  know  that  this  Nephi  must  have  agreed 
with  some  one  to  slay  the  judge,  and  then  he  might  declare  it 
unto  us,  that  he  might  convert  us  unto  his  faith,  that  he  might 
raise  himself  to  be  a  great  man,  chosen  of  God,  and  a  prophet; 

86  And  now  behold  we  will  detect  this  man,  and  he  shall 
confess  his  fault  and  make  known  unto  us  the  true  murderer 
of  this  judge. 

87  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  five  were  liberated  on  the 
day  of  the  burial. 

88  Nevertheless,  they  did  rebuke  the  judges  in  the  words 
which  they  had  spoken  against  Nephi,  and  did  contend  with 
them  one  by  one,  insomuch  that  they  did  confound  them. 

89  Nevertheless,  they  caused  that  Nephi  should  be  taken 
and  bound  and  brought  before  the  multitude,  and  they  began 
to  question  him  in  divers  ways,  that  they  might  cross  him, 
that  they  might  accuse  him  to  death: 

90  Saying  unto  him.  Thou  art  confederate;  who  is  this 
man  that  has  done  this  murder?  Now  tell  us,  and  acknowl- 
edge thy  fault,  saying.  Behold  here  is  money;  and  also  we 
will  grant  unto  thee  thy  life,  if  -thou  wilt  tell  us  and  acknowl- 
edge the  agreement  v/hich  thou  hast  made  with  him. 

91  But  Nephi  said  unto  them,  O  ye  fools,  ye  uncircumcised 
of  heart,  ye  blind,  and  ye  stiff-necked  people,  do  ye  know  how 
long  the  Lord  your  God  will  suffer  you  that  ye  shall  go  on  in 
this  your  way  of  sin? 

92  0  ye  had  ought  to  begin  to  howl  and  mourn,  because  of 
the  great  destruction  at  this  time  which  doth  await  you,  ex- 
cept ye  shall  repent. 

93  Behold,  ye  say  that  I  have  agreed  with  a  man,  that  he 
should  murder  Seezoram,  our  chief  judge. 


576  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  [chap.  3. 

94  But  behold,  I  say  unto  you,  that  this  is  because  I  have 
testified  unto  you,  that  ye  might  know  concerning  this  thing; 
yea,  even  for  a  witness  unto  you,  that  I  did  l^now  of  the  wick- 
edness and  abominations  which  are  among  you. 

95  And  because  I  have  done  this,  ye  say  that  I  have  agreed 
with  a  man  that  he  should  do  this  thing;  yea,  because  I 
shewed  unto  you  this  sign,  ye  are  angry  with  me,  and  seek 
to  destroy  my  life. 

96  And  now  behold,  I  will  shew  unto  you  another  sign,  and 
see  if  ye  will  in  this  thing  seek  to  destroy  me. 

97  Behold  I  say  unto  you.  Go  to  the  house  of  Seantum,  who 
is  the  brother  of  Seezoram,  and  say  unto  him,  Has  Nephi,  the 
pretended  prophet,  who  doth  prophesy  so  much  evil  concern- 
ing this  people,  agreed  with  thee,  in  the  which  ye  have  mur- 
dered Seezoram,  who  is  your  brother?  And  behold,  he  shall 
say  unto  you,  Nay. 

98  And  ye  shall  say  unto  him,  Have  ye  murdered  your 
brother?  And  he  shall  stand  with  fear,  and  wist  not  what 
to  say. 

99  And  behold  he  shall  deny  unto  you;  and  he  shall  make 
as  if  he  were  astonished;  nevertheless,  he  shall  declare  unto 
you  that  he  is  innocent. 

100  But  behold,  ye  shall  examine  him,  and  ye  shall  find 
blood  upon  the  skirts  of  his  cloak. 

101  And  when  ye  have  seen  this,  ye  shall  say,  From  whence 
cometh  this  blood?  Do  we  not  know  that  it  is  the  blood  of 
your  brother?  And  then  shall  he  tremble,  and  shall  look  pale, 
even  as  if  death  had  come  upon  him. 

102  And  then  shall  ye  say.  Because  of  this  fear  and  this 
paleness  which  has  come  upon  your  face,  behold,  we  know 
that  thou  art  guilty. 

103  And  then  shall  greater  fear  come  upon  him;  and  then 
shall  he  confess  unto  you,  and  deny  no  more  that  he  has  done 
this  murder. 

104  And  then  shall  he  say  unto  you,  that  I,  Nephi,  knew 
nothing  concerning  the  matter,  save  it  were  given  unto  me 
by  the  power  of  God. 


CHAP.  3.]  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  577 

105  And  then  shall  ye  know  that  I  am  an  honest  man,  and 
that  I  am  sent  unto  you  from  God. 

106  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  they  went  and  did,  even 
according  as  Nephi  had  said  unto  them. 

107  And  behold,  the  words  which  he  had  said  were  true; 
for  according  to  the  words,  he  did  deny;  and  also  according 
to  the  words  he  did  confess. 

108  And  he  was  brought  to  prove  that  he  himself  was  the 
very  murderer,  insomuch  that  the  five  were  set  at  liberty; 
and  also  was  Nephi. 

109  And  there  were  some  of  the  Nephites  who  believed  on 
the  words  of  Nephi;  and  there  were  some  also,  who  believed, 
because  of  the  testimony  of  the  five,  for  they  had  been  con- 
verted while  they  were  in  prison. 

110  And  now  there  were  som.e  among  the  people,  who  said 
that  Nephi  was  a  prophet;  and  there  were  others  who  said. 
Behold,  he  is  a  god,  for  except  he  was  a  god,  he  could  not 
know  of  all  things. 

111  For  behold,  he  has  told  us  the  thoughts  of  our  hearts, 
and  also  has  told  us  things;  and  even  he  has  brought  unto 
our  knowledge  the  true  murderer  of  our  chief  judge. 

112  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  there  arose  a  division  among 
the  people,  insomuch  that  they  divided  hither  and  thither, 
and  went  their  ways,  leaving  Nephi  alone,  as  he  was  stand- 
ing in  the  midst  of  them. 

113  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Nephi  went  his  way  towards 
his  own  house,  pondering  upon  the  things  which  the  Lord  had 
shewn  unto  him. 

114  And  it  came  to  pass  as  he  was  thus  pondering,  being 
much  cast  down  because  of  the  wickedness  of  the  people  of 
the  Nephites,  their  secret  works  of  darkness,  and  their  mur- 
derings,  and  their  plunderings,  and  all  manner  of  iniquities 
— and  it  came  to  pass  as  he  was  thus  pondering  in  his  heart, 
behold,  a  voice  came  unto  him,  saying, 

115  Blessed  art  thou,  Nephi,  for  those  things  which  thou 
hast  done;  for  I  have  beheld  how  thou  hast  with  unweary- 
ingness  declared  the  word  which  I  have  given  unto  thee,  unto 
this  people. 


578  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  [chap.  1 

116  And  thou  hast  not  feared  them,  and  hast  not  sought 
thine  own  life,  but  have  sought  my  will,  and  to  keep  my  com- 
mandments. 

117  And  now  because  thou  hast  done  this  with  such  un- 
wearyingness,  behold,  I  will  bless  thee  for  ever;  and  I  will 
make  thee  mighty  in  word  and  in  deed,  in  faith  and  in  works; 
yea,  even  that  all  things  shall  be  done  unto  thee  according  to 
thy  word,  for  thou  shalt  not  ask  that  which  is  contrary  to 
my  will. 

118  Behold,  thou  art  Nephi,  and  I  am  God. 

119  Behold,  I  declare  it  unto  thee  in  the  presence  of  mine 
angels,  that  ye  shall  have  power  over  this  people,  and  shall 
smite  the  earth  with  famine,  and  with  pestilence,  and  de- 
struction, according  to  the  wickedness  of  this  people. 

120  Behold,  I  give  unto  you  power,  that  whatsoever  ye  shall 
seal  on  earth,  shall  be  sealed  in  heaven;  and  whatsoever  ye 
shall  loose  on  earth  shall  be  loosed  in  heaven;  and  thus  shall 
ye  have  power  among  this  people. 

121  And  thus,  if  ye  shall  say  unto  this  temple,  It  shall  be 
rent  in  twain,  it  shall  be  done. 

122  And  if  ye  shall  say  unto  this  mountain.  Be  thou  cast 
down  and  become  smooth,  it  shall  be  done. 

123  And  behold,  if  ye  shall  say,  that  God  shall  smite  this 
people,  it  shall  come  to  pass. 

124  And  now  behold,  I  command  you  that  ye  shall  go  and 
declare  unto  this  people  that,  Thus  saith  the  Lord  God,  who 
is  Almighty,  except  ye  repent,  ye  shall  be  smitten,  even  unto 
destruction. 

125  TJAnd  behold,  now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  the  Lord 
had  spoken  these  words  unto  Nephi,  he  did  stop,  and  did  not 
go  unto  his  own  house,  but  did  return  unto  the  multitudes 
who  were  scattered  about  upon  the  face  of  the  land,  and  began 
to  declare  unto  them  the  word  of  the  Lord,  which  had  been 
spoken  unto  him  concerning  their  destruction,  if  they  did  not 
repent. 

126  Now  behold,  notwithstanding  that  great  miracle  which 
Nephi  had  done  in  telling  them  concerning  the  death  of  the 


I 


CHAP.  4.]  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  579 

chief  judge,  they  did  harden  their  hearts,  and  did  not  hfearken 
unto  the  words  of  the  Lord; 

127  Therefore  Nephi  did  declare  unto  them  the  word  of 
the  Lord,  saying,  Except  ye  repent,  thus  saith  the  Lord,  Ye 
shall  be  smitten,  even  unto  destruction. 

128  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Nephi  had  declared 
unto  them  the  word,  behold,  they  did  still  harden  their  hearts, 
and  would  not  hearken  unto  his  words;  therefore  they  did 
revile  against  him,  and  did  seek  to  lay  their  hands  upon  him, 
that  they  might  cast  him  into  prison. 

129  But  behold,  the  power  of  God  was  with  him,  and  they 
could  not  take  him  to  cast  him  into  prison,  for  he  was  taken 
by  the  Spirit,  and  conveyed  away  out  of  the  midst  of  them. 

130  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  thus  he  did  go  forth  in  the 
Spirit,  from  multitude  to  multitude,  declaring  the  word  of 
God,  even  until  he  had  declared  it  unto  them  all,  or  sent  it 
forth  among  all  the  people. 

131  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  would  not  hearken  unto 
his  words;  and  there  began  to  be  contentions,  insomuch  that 
they  were  divided  against  themselves,  and  began  to  slay  one 
another  with  the  sword. 

132  And  thus  ended  the  seventy  and  first  year  of  the  reign 
of  the  Judges  over  the  people  of  Nephi. 


CHAPTER  4. 

1  TJAnd  now  it  came  to  pass  in  the  seventy  and  second  year 
of  the  reign  of  the  Judges,  that  the  contentions  did  increase, 
insomuch  that  there  were  wars  throughout  all  the  land  among 
all  the  people  of  Nephi. 

2  And  it  was  this  secret  band  of  robbers  who  did  carry  on 
this  work  of  destruction  and  wickedness. 

3  And  this  war  did  last  all  that  year.  And  in  the  seventy 
and  third  year  it  did  also  last. 

4  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  in  this  year,  Nephi  did  cry 
unto  the  Lord,  saying,  O  Lord  do  not  suffer  that  this  people 
shall  be  destroyed  by  the  sword;  but  O  Lord,  rather  let  there 
be  a  famine  in  the  land,  to  stir  them  up  in  remembrance  of 


580  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  [chap.  4. 

the  Lord  their  God,  and  perhaps  they  will  repent  and  turn 
unto  thee; 

5  And  so  it  was  done,  according  to  the  words  of  Nephi. 
And  there  was  a  great  famine  upon  the  land  among  all  the 
people  of  Nephi. 

6  And  thus,  in  the  seventy  and  fourth  year,  the  famine  did 
continue,  and  the  work  of  destruction  did  cease  by  the  sword, 
but  became  sore  by  famine. 

7  And  this  work  of  destruction  did  also  continue  in  the 
seventy  and  fifth  year. 

8  For  the  earth  was  smitten,  that  it  was  dry,  and  did  not 
yield  forth  grain  in  the  season  of  grain;  and  the  whole  earth 
was  smitten,  even  among  the  Lamanites  as  well  as  among  the 
Nephites,  so  that  they  were  smitten  that  they  did  perish  by 
thousands,  in  the  more  wicked  parts  of  the  land. 

9  1|And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  people  saw  that  they  were 
about  to  perish  by  famine,  and  they  began  to  remember  the 
Lord  their  God;  and  they  began  to  remember  the  words  of 
Nephi. 

10  And  the  people  began  to  plead  with  their  chief  judges 
and  their  leaders,  that  they  would  say  unto  Nephi,  Behold  we 
know  that  thou  art  a  man  of  God,  and  therefore  cry  unto  the 
Lord  our  God,  that  he  turn  away  from  us  this  famine,  lest 
all  the  words  which  thou  hast  spoken  concerning  our  destruc- 
tion, be  fulfilled. 

11  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  judges  did  say  unto  Nephi, 
according  to  the  words  which  had  been  desired. 

12  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Nephi  saw  that  the  peo- 
ple had  repented,  and  did  humble  themselves  in  sackcloth,  he 
cried  again  unto  the  Lord,  saying,  O  Lord,  behold  this  peo- 
ple repenteth; 

13  And  they  have  swept  away  the  band  of  Gadianton  from 
amongst  them,  insomuch  that  they  have  become  extinct,  and 
they  have  concealed  their  secret  plans  in  the  earth. 

14  Now,  O  Lord,  because  of  this  their  humility,  wilt  thou 
turn  away  thine  anger,  and  let  thine  anger  be  appeased  in 
the  destruction  of  those  wicked  men  whom  thou  hast  already 
destroyed? 


CHAP.  4.]  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  581 

15  0  Lord,  wilt  thou  turn  away  thine  anger,  yea,  thy  fierce 
anger,  and  cause  that  this  famine  may  cease  in  this  land? 

16  O  Lord  wilt  thou  hearken  unto  me,  and  cause  that  it 
may  be  done  according  to  my  words,  and  send  forth  rain  upon 
the  face  of  the  earth,  that  she  may  bring  forth  her  fruit  and 
her  grain,  in  the  season  of  grain? 

17  0  Lord,  thou  didst  hearken  unto  my  words  when  I  said, 
Let  there  be  a  famine,  that  the  pestilence  of  the  sword  might 
cease;  and  I  know  that  thou  wilt  even  at  this  time,  hearken 
unto  my  words,  for  thou  saidst,  that  if  this  people  repent,  I 
will  spare  them; 

18  Yea,  O  Lord,  and  thou  seest  that  they  have  repented, 
because  of  the  famine,  and  the  pestilence  and  destruction 
which  has  come  unto  them. 

19  And  now,  O  Lord,  wilt  thou  turn  away  thine  anger,  and 
try  again  if  they  will  serve  thee?  And  if  so,  O  Lord,  thou 
canst  bless  them  according  to  thy  words  which  thou  hast  said. 

20  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  in  the  seventy  and  sixth  year, 
the  Lord  did  turn  away  his  anger  from  the  people,  and  caused 
that  rain  should  fall  upon  the  earth,  insomuch  that  it  did 
bring  forth  her  fruit  in  the  season  of  her  fruit. 

21  And  it  came  to  pass  that  it  did  bring  forth  her  grain, 
in  the  season  of  her  grain. 

22  And  behold,  the  people  did  rejoice,  and  glorify  God,  and 
the  whole  face  of  the  land  was  filled  with  rejoicing;  and  they 
did  no  more  seek  to  destroy  Nephi,  but  they  did  esteem  him 
as  a  great  prophet,  and  a  man  of  God,  having  great  power 
and  authority  given  unto  him  from  God. 

23  And  behold,  Lehi,  his  brother,  was  not  a  whit  behind 
him  as  to  things  pertaining  to  righteousness. 

24  And  thus  it  did  come  to  pass  that  the  people  of  Nephi 
began  to  prosper  again  in  the  land,  and  began  to  build  up 
their  waste  places,  and  began  to  multiply  and  spread,  even 
until  they  did  cover  the  whole  face  of  the  land,  both  on  the 
northward  and  on  the  southward,  from  the  sea  west,  to  the 
sea  east. 

25  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  seventy  and  sixth  year  did 
end  in  peace. 


582  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  [chap.  4. 

26  And  the  seventy  and  seventh  year  began  in  peace;  and 
the  church  did  spread  throughout  the  face  of  all  the  land; 
and  the  more  part  of  the  people,  both  the  Nephites  and  the 
Lamanites,  did  belong  to  the  church;  and  they  did  have  ex- 
ceeding great  peace  in  the  land;  and  thus  ended  the  seventy 
and  seventh  year. 

27  And  also  they  had  peace  in  the  seventy  and  eighth  year, 
save  it  were  a  few  contentions  concerning  the  points  of  doc- 
trine which  had  been  laid  down  by  the  prophets. 

28  And  in  the  seventy  and  ninth  year,  there  began  to  be 
much  strife. 

29  But  it  came  to  pass  that  Nephi  and  Lehi,  and  many  of 
their  brethren,  who  knew  concerning  the  true  points  of  doc- 
trine, having  many  revelations  daily,  therefore  they  did 
preach  unto  the  people,  insomuch  that  they  did  put  an  end  to 
their  strife  in  that  same  year. 

30  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  in  the  eightieth  year  of  the 
reign  of  the  Judges  over  the  people  of  Nephi,  there  were  a 
certain  number  of  the  dissenters  from  the  people  of  Nephi, 
who  had  some  years  before  gone  over  unto  the  Lamanites, 
and  took  upon  themselves  the  name  of  Lamanites; 

31  And  also,  a  certain  number  who  were  real  descendants 
of  the  Lamanites,  being  stirred  up  to  anger  by  them,  or  by 
those  dissenters,  therefore  they  commenced  a  war  with  their 
brethren. 

32  And  they  did  commit  murder  and  plunder;  and  then 
they  would  retreat  back  into  the  mountains,  and  into  the  wil- 
derness and  secret  places,  hiding  themselves  that  they  could 
not  be  discovered,  receiving  daily  an  addition  to  their  num- 
bers, inasmuch  as  there  were  dissenters  that  went  forth  unto 
them; 

33  And  thus  in  time,  yea,  even  in  the  space  of  not  many 
years,  they  became  an  exceeding  great  band  of  robbers;  and 
they  did  search  out  all  the  secret  plans  of  Gadianton;  and 
thus  they  became  robbers  of  Gadianton. 

34  Now  behold,  these  robbers  did  make  great  havoc,  yea, 
even  great  destruction  among  the  people  of  Nephi,  and  also 
among  the  people  of  the  Lamanites. 


CHAP.  4.]  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  583 

35  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  it  was  expedient  that  there 
should  be  a  stop  put  to  this  work  of  destruction;  therefore 
they  sent  an  army  of  strong  men  into  the  wilderness,  and 
upon  the  mountains  to  search  out  this  band  of  robbers,  and 
to  destroy  them. 

36  But  behold,  it  came  to  pass  that  in  that  same  year,  they 
were  driven  back  even  into  their  own  lands. 

37  And  thus  ended  the  eightieth  year  of  the  reign  of  the 
Judges  over  the  people  of  Nephi. 

38  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  in  the  commencement  of  the  eighty 
and  first  year,  they  did  go  forth  again  against  this  band  of 
robbers,  and  did  destroy  many; 

39  And  they  were  also  visited  with  much  destruction;  and 
they  were  again  obliged  to  return  out  of  the  wilderness  and 
out  of  the  mountains,  unto  their  own  lands,  because  of  the 
exceeding  greatness  of  the  numbers  of  those  robbers  who  in- 
fested the  mountains  and  the  wilderness. 

40  And  it  came  to  pass  that  thus  ended  this  year.  And 
the  robbers  did  still  increase  and  wax  strong,  insomuch  that 
they  did  defy  the  whole  armies  of  the  Nephites,  and  also  of 
the  Lamanites;  and  they  did  cause  great  fear  to  come  unto 
the  people,  upon  all  the  face  of  the  land; 

41  Yea,  for  they  did  visit  many  parts  of  the  land,  and  did 
do  great  destruction  unto  them;  yea,  did  kill  many,  and  did 
carry  away  others  captive  into  the  wilderness;  yea,  and  more 
especially  their  women  and  their  children. 

42  Now  this  great  evil,  which  came  unto  the  people  be- 
cause of  their  iniquity  did  stir  them  up  again  in  remembrance 
of  the  Lord  their  God. 

43  And  thus  ended  the  eighty  and  first  year  of  the  reign  of 
the  Judges. 

44  And  in  the  eighty  and  second  year,  they  began  again 
to  forget  the  Lord  their   God. 

45  And  in  the  eighty  and  third  year,  they  began  to  wax 
strong  in  iniquity. 

46  And  in  the  eighty  and  fourth  year,  they  did  not  mend 
their  ways. 

47  And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  eighty  and  fifth  year,  they 


584  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  [chap.  4. 

did  wax  stronger  and  stronger  in  their  pride,  and  in  their 
wickedness;  and  thus  they  were  ripening  again  for  destruc- 
tion.   And  thus  ended  the  eighty  and  fifth  year. 

48  And  thus  we  can  behold  how  false,  and  also  the  un- 
steadiness of  the  hearts  of  the  children  of  men;  yea,  we  can 
see  that  the  Lord  in  his  great  infinite  goodness,  doth  bless  and 
prosper  those  who  put  their  trust  in  him; 

49  Yea,  and  we  may  see  at  the  very  time  when  he  doth 
prosper  his  people;  yea,  in  the  increase  of  their  fields,  their 
flocks,  and  their  herds,  and  in  gold,  and  in  silver,  and  in  all 
manner  of  precious  things  of  every  kind,  and  art; 

50  Sparing  their  lives,  and  delivering  them  out  of  the  hands 
of  their  enemies;  softening  the  hearts  of  their  enemies,  that 
they  should  not  declare  wars  against  them;  yea,  and  in  fine, 
doing  all  things  for  the  welfare  and  happiness  of  his  people; 

51  Yea,  then  is  the  time  that  they  do  harden  their  hearts, 
and  do  forget  the  Lord  their  God,  and  do  trample  under  their 
feet  the  Holy  One;  yea,  and  this  because  of  their  ease,  and 
their  exceeding  great  prosperity. 

52  And  thus  we  see,  that  except  the  Lord  doth  chasten  his 
people  with  many  afflictions,  yea,  except  he  doth  visit  them 
with  death,  and  with  terror,  and  with  famine,  and  with  all 
manner  of  pestilences,  they  will  not  remember  him. 

53  O  how  foolish,  and  how  vain,  and  how  evil,  and  devil- 
ish, and  how  quick  to  do  iniquity,  and  how  slow  to  do  good, 
are  the  children  of  men; 

54  Yea,  how  quick  to  hearken  unto  the  words  of  the  evil 
one,  and  to  set  their  hearts  upon  the  vain  things  of  the  world; 
yea,  how  quick  to  be  lifted  up  in  pride;  yea,  how  quick  to 
boast,  and  do  all  manner  of  that  which  is  iniquity; 

55  And  how  slow  are  they  to  remember  the  Lord  their  God, 
and  to  give  ear  unto  his  counsels;  yea,  how  slow  to  walk  in 
wisdom's  paths! 

56  Behold,  they  do  not  desire  that  the  Lord  their  God,  who 
hath  created  them,  should  rule  and  reign  over  them,  notwith- 
standing his  great  goodness  and  his  mercy  towards  them; 
they  do  set  at  nought  his  counsels,  and  they  will  not  that  he 
should  be  their  guide. 


CHAF.  4.]  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  585 

57  0  how  great  is  the  nothingness  of  the  children  of  men; 
yea,  even  they  are  less  than  the  dust  of  the  earth. 

58  For  behold,  the  dust  of  the  earth  moveth  hither  and 
thither,  to  the  dividing  asunder,  at  the  command  of  our  great 
and  everlasting  God; 

59  Yea,  behold,  at  his  voice  doth  the  hills  and  the  moun- 
tains tremble  and  quake;  and  by  the  power  of  his  voice  they 
are  broken  up,  and  become  smooth,  yea,  even  like  unto  a 
valley; 

60  Yea,  by  the  power  of  his  voice  doth  the  whole  earth 
shake;  yea,  by  the  power  of  his  voice,  doth  the  foundations 
rock,  even  to  the  very  center; 

61  Yea,  and  if  he  say  unto  the  earth,  Move,  it  is  moved; 
yea,  if  he  say  unto  the  earth.  Thou  shalt  go  back,  that  it 
lengthen  out  the  day  for  many  hours,  it  is  done: 

62  And  thus  according  to  his  word,  the  earth  goeth  back, 
and  it  appeareth  unto  man  that  the  sun  standeth  still:  yea, 
and  behold,  this  is  so;  for  sure  it  is  the  earth  that  moveth, 
and  not  the   sun. 

63  And  behold,  also,  if  he  say  unto  the  waters  of  the  great 
deep,  Be  thou  dried  up,  it  is  done. 

64  Behold,  if  he  say  unto  this  mountain,  Be  thou  raised  up, 
and  come  over  and  fall  upon  that  city,  that  it  be  buried  up, 
behold  it  is  done. 

65  And  behold,  if  a  man  hide  up  a  treasure  in  the  earth, 
and  the  Lord  shall  say,  Let  it  be  accursed,  because  of  the 
iniquity  of  him  who  hath  hid  it  up,  behold,  it  shall  be  ac- 
cursed; 

66  And  if  the  Lord  shall  say,  Be  thou  accursed,  that  no 
man  shall  find  thee  from  this  time  henceforth  and  for  ever, 
behold,  no  man  getteth  it  henceforth  and  for  ever. 

67  And  behold,  if  the  Lord  shall  say  unto  a  man.  Because 
of  thine  iniquities  thou  shalt  be  accursed  for  ever,  it  shall  be 
done. 

68  And  if  the  Lord  shall  say,  Because  of  thine  iniquities, 
thou  shalt  be  cut  off  from  my  presence,  he  will  cause  that  it 
shall  be   so. 

69  And  wo  unto  him  to  whom  he  shall  say  this,  for  it  shall 


586  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  [chap.   5. 

be  unto  him  that  will  do  iniquity,  and  he  can  not  be  saved; 
therefore,  for  this  cause,  that  men  might  be  saved,  hath  re- 
pentance been  declared. 

70  Therefore  blessed  are  they  who  will  repent  and  hearken 
unto  the  voice  of  the  Lord  their  God;  for  these  are  they  that 
shall  be  saved. 

71  And  may  God  grant,  in  his  great  fullness,  that  men 
might  be  brought  unto  repentance  and  good  works,  that  they 
might  be  restored  unto  grace,  for  grace  according  to  their 
works. 

72  And  I  would  that  all  men  might  be  saved.  But  we  read 
that  in  that  great  and  last  day,  there  are  some  who  shall  be 
cast  out;  yea,  who  shall  be  cast  off  from  the  presence  of  the 
Lord; 

73  Yea,  who  shall  be  consigned  to  a  state  of  endless- misery, 
fulfilling  the  words  which  say.  They  that  have  done  good, 
shall  have  everlasting  life;  and  they  that  have  done  evil,  shall 
have  everlasting  damnation.     And  thus  it  is.     Amen. 


CHAPTER  5. 

The  prophecy  of  Samuel,  the  Lamanite,  to  the  Nephites. 

1  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  in  the  eighty  and  sixth  year, 
the  Nephites  did  still  remain  in  wickedness,  yea,  in  great 
wickedness,  while  the  Lamanites  did  observe  strictly  to  keep 
the  commandments  of  God,  according  to  the  law  of  Moses. 

2  And  it  came  to  pass  that  in  this  year,  there  was  one 
Samuel,  a  Lamanite,  came  into  the  land  of  Zarahemla,  and 
began  to  preach  unto  the  people. 

3  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  did  preach  many  days,  re- 
pentance unto  the  people,  and  they  did  cast  him  out,  and  he 
was  about  to  return  to  his  own  land. 

4  But  behold,  the  voice  of  the  Lord  came  unto  him,  that 
he  should  return  again,  and  prophesy  unto  the  people  what- 
soever things  should  come  into  his  heart. 

5  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  would  not  suffer  that  he 
should  enter  into  the  city;  therefore  he  went  and  got  upon  the 
wall  thereof,  and  stretched  forth  his  hand  and  cried  with  a 


CHAP.   5.]  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  587 

loud  voice,  and  prophesied  unto  the  people  whatsoever  things 
the  Lord  put  into  his  heart; 

6  And  he  said  unto  them,  Behold,  I,  Samuel,  a  Lamanite, 
do  speak  the  words  of  the  Lord  which  he  doth  put  into  my 
heart;  and  behold  he  hath  put  it  into  my  heart  to  say  unto 
this  people,  that  the  sword  of  justice  hangeth  over  this  peo- 
ple; and  four  hundred  years  passeth  not  away  save  the  sword 
of  justice  falleth  upon  this  people; 

7  Yea,  heavy  destruction  awaiteth  this  people,  and  it  surely 
cometh  unto  this  people,  and  nothing  can  save  this  people, 
save  it  be  repentance  and  faith  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who 
surely  shall  come  into  the  world,  and  shall  suffer  many  things, 
and  shall  be  slain  for  his  people. 

8  And  behold,  an  angel  of  the  Lord  hath  declared  it  unto 
me,  and  he  did  bring  glad  tidings  to  my  soul. 

9  And  behold,  I  was  sent  unto  you  to  declare  it  unto  you 
also,  that  ye  might  have  glad  tidings;  but  behold  ye  would 
not  receive  me, 

10  Therefore  thus  saith  the  Lord,  Because  of  the  hard- 
ness of  the  hearts  of  the  people  of  the  Nephites,  except  they 
repent  I  will  take  away  my  word  from  them,  and  I  will  with- 
draw my  Spirit  from  them,  and  I  will  suffer  them  no  longer, 
and  I  will  turn  the  hearts  of  their  brethren  against  them; 

11  And  four  hundred  years  shall  not  pass  away,  before  I 
will  cause  that  they  shall  be  smitten;  yea,  I  will  visit  them 
with  the  sword,  and  with  famine,  and  with  pestilence; 

12  Yea,  I  will  visit  them  in  my  fierce  anger,  and  there  shall 
be  those  of  the  fourth  generation,  who  shall  live,  of  your  ene- 
mies, to  behold  your  utter  destruction: 

13  And  this  shall  surely  come,  except  ye  repent,  saith  the 
Lord:  and  those  of  the  fourth  generation  shall  visit  your  de- 
struction. 

14  But  if  ye  will  repent  and  return  unto  the  Lord  your 
God,  I  will  turn  away  mine  anger,  saith  the  Lord;  yea,  thus 
saith  the  Lord,  Blessed  are  they  who  will  repent  and  turn 
unto  me,  but  wo  unto  him  that  repenteth  not; 

15  Yea,  wo  unto  this  great  city  of  Zarahemla;  for  behold 
it  is  because  of  those  who  are  righteous,  that  it  is  saved; 


588  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  [chap.   5. 

16  Yea,  wo  unto  this  great  city,  for  I  perceive,  saith  the 
Lord,  that  there  are  many,  yea,  even  the  more  part  of  this 
great  city  that  will  harden  their  hearts  against  me,  saith  the 
Lord.  But  blessed  are  they  who  will  repent,  for  them  will  I 
spare. 

17  But  behold,  if  it  were  not  for  the  righteous  who  are  in 
this  great  city,  behold  I  would  cause  that  fire  should  come 
down  out  of  heaven,  and  destroy  it.  But  behold,  it  is  for  the 
righteous'  sake  that  it  is  spared. 

18  But  behold,  the  time  cometh,  saith  the  Lord,  that  when 
ye  shall  cast  out  the  righteous  from  among  you,  then  shall 
ye  be  ripe  for  destruction; 

19  Yea,  wo  be  unto  this  great  city,  because  of  the  wicked- 
ness and  abominations  which  are  in  her; 

20  Yea,  and  wo  be  unto  the  city  of  Gideon,  for  the  wicked- 
ness and  abominations  which  are  in  her; 

21  Yea,  and  wo  be  unto  all  the  cities  which  are  in  the  land 
round  about,  which  are  possessed  by  the  Nephites,  because  of 
the  wickedness  and  abominations  which  are  in  them; 

22  And  behold,  a  curse  shall  come  upon  the  land,  saith  the 
Lord  of  Hosts,  because  of  the  people's  sake  who  are  upon  the 
land;  yea,  because  of  their  wickedness  and  their  abomina- 
tions. 

23  IJAnd  it  shall  come  to  pass  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts,  yea, 
our  great  and  true  God,  that  whoso  shall  hide  up  treasures 
in  the  earth,  shall  find  them  again  no  more,  because  of  the 
great  curse  of  the  land,  save  he  be  a  righteous  man,  and  shall 
hide  it  up  unto  the  Lord, 

24  For  I  will,  saith  the  Lord,  that  they  shall  hide  up  their 
treasures  unto  me;  and  cursed  be  they  who  hide  not  up  their 
treasures  unto  me;  for  none  hideth  up  their  treasures  unto 
me  save  it  be  the  righteous; 

25  And  he  that  hideth  not  up  his  treasure  unto  me,  cursed 
is  he,  and  also  the  treasure,  and  none  shall  redeem  it  because 
of  the  curse  of  the  land. 

26  And  the  day  shall  come  that  they  shall  hide  up  their 
treasures,  because  they  have  set  their  hearts  upon  riches; 

27  And  because  they  have  set  their  hearts  upon  their  riches, 


CHAP.   5.]  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  589 

and  will  hide  up  their  treasures  when  they  shall  flee  before 
their  enemies,  because  they  will  not  hide  them  up  unto  me, 
cursed  be  they,  and  also  their  treasures;  and  in  that  day 
shall  they  be  smitten,  saith  the  Lord. 

28  Behold  ye,  the  people  of  this  great  city,  and  hearken 
unto  my  words;  yea,  hearken  unto  the  words  which  the  Lord 
saith;  for  behold,  he  saith  that  ye  are  cursed  because  of  your 
riches, 

29  And  also  are  your  riches  cursed  because  ye  have  set 
your  hearts  upon  them,  and  have  not  hearkened  unto  the 
words  of  him  who  gave  them  unto  you. 

30  Ye  do  not  remember  the  Lord  your  God  in  the  things 
which  he  hath  blessed  you,  but  ye  do  always  remember  your 
riches,  not  to  thank  the  Lord  your  God  for  them; 

31  Yea,  your  heart  is  not  drawn  out  unto  the  Lord,  but 
they  do  swell  with  great  pride,  unto  boasting,  and  unto  great 
swelling,  envyings,  strifes,  malice,  persecutions,  and  murders, 
and  all  manner  of  iniquities. 

32  For  this  cause  hath  the  Lord  God  caused  that  a  curse 
should  come  upon  the  land,  and  also  upon  your  riches;  and 
this  because  of  your  iniquities; 

33  Yea,  wo  unto  this  people,  because  of  this  time  which  has 
arrived,  that  ye  do  cast  out  the  prophets,  and  do  mock  them, 
and  cast  stones  at  them,  and  do  slay  them,  and  do  all  manner 
of  iniquity  unto  them,  even  as  they  did  of  old  time. 

34  And  now  when  ye  talk,  ye  say.  If  our  days  had  been  in 
the  days  of  our  fathers  of  old,  ye  would  not  have  slain  the 
prophets;  ye  would  not  have  stoned  them  and  cast  them  out. 

35  Behold  ye  are  worse  than  they;  for  as  the  Lord  liveth, 
if  a  prophet  come  among  you,  and  declareth  unto  you  the 
word  of  the  Lord,  which  testifieth  of  your  sins  and  iniquities, 
ye  are  angry  with  him,  and  cast  him  out,  and  seek  all  manner 
of  ways  to  destroy  him; 

36  Yea,  you  will  say  that  he  is  a  false  prophet,  and  that 
he  is  a  sinner,  and  of  the  devil,  because  he  testifieth  that  your 
deeds  are  evil. 

37  But  behold,  if  a  man  shall  come  among  you,  and  shall 
say,  Do  this,  and  there  is  no  iniquity;  do  that,  and  ye  shall 


590  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  [chap.   5. 

not  suffer;  yea,  he  will  say,  Walk  after  the  pride  of  your  own 
hearts;  yea,  walk  after  the  pride  of  your  eyes,  and  do  whatso- 
ever your  heart  desireth;  and  if  a  man  shall  come  among  you 
and  say  this,  ye  will  receive  him,  and  ye  will  say  that  he  is  a 
prophet; 

38  Yea,  ye  will  lift  him  up,  and  ye  will  give  unto  him  of 
your  substance;  ye  will  give  unto  him  of  your  gold,  and  of 
your  silver,  and  ye  will  clothe  him  with  costly  apparel; 

39  And  because  he  speaketh  flattering  words  unto  you,  and 
he  saith  that  all  is  well,  then  ye  will  not  find  fault  with  him. 

40  O  ye  wicked  and  ye  perverse  generation;  ye  hardened 
and  ye  stiff-necked  people,  how  long  will  ye  suppose  that  the 
Lord  will  suffer  you;  yea,  how  long  will  ye  suffer  yourselves 
to  be  led  by  foolish  and  blind  guides;  yea,  how  long  will  ye 
choose  darkness  rather  than  light; 

41  Yea,  behold  the  anger  of  the  Lord  is  already  kindled 
against  you;  behold,  he  hath  cursed  the  land,  because  of  your 
iniquity;  and  behold,  the  time  cometh  that  he  curseth  your 
riches,  that  it  becometh  slippery,  that  ye  can  not  hold  them; 

42  And  in  the  days  of  your  poverty,  ye  can  not  retain 
them;  and  in  the  days  of  your  poverty,  ye  shall  cry  unto  the 
Lord;  and  in  vain  shall  ye  cry,  for  your  desolation  is  already 
come  upon  you,  and  your  destruction  is  made  sure; 

43  And  then  shall  ye  weep  and  howl  in  that  day,  saith  the 
Lord  of  Hosts. 

44  And  then  shall  ye  lament,  and  say,  O  that  I  had  re- 
pented, and  had  not  killed  the  prophets,  and  stoned  them,  and 
cast  them  out; 

45  Yea,  in  that  day  ye  shall  say,  0  that  we  had  remem- 
bered the  Lord  our  God,  in  the  day  that  he  gave  us  our  riches, 
and  then  they  would  not  have  become  slippery,  that  we  should 
lose  them;  for  behold,  our  riches  are  gone  from  us. 

46  Behold,  we  lay  a  tool  here,  and  on  the  morrow  it  is 
gone;  and  behold,  our  swords  are  taken  from  us  in  the  day 
we  have  sought  them  for  battle. 

47  Yea,  we  have  hid  up  our  treasures,  and  they  have 
slipped  away  from  us,  because  of  the  curse  of  the  land. 

48  O  that  wie  had  repented  in  the  day  that  the  word  of  the 


CHAP.   5.]  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  591 

Lord  came  unto  us;   for  behold  the  land  is  cursed,  and  all 
things  have  become  slippery,  and  we  can  not  hold  them. 

49  Behold  we  are  surrounded  by  demons,  yea,  we  are  en- 
circled about  by  the  angels  of  him  who  hath  sought  to  destroy 
our  souls. 

50  Behold,  our  iniquities  are  great.  O  Lord,  canst  thou  not 
turn  away  thine  anger  from  us?  And  this  shall  be  your  lan- 
guage in  those  days. 

51  But  behold,  your  days  of  probation  are  past:  ye  have 
procrastinated  the  day  of  your  salvation,  until  it  is  everlast- 
ingly too  late,  and  your  destruction  is  made  sure; 

52  Yea,  for  ye  have  sought  all  the  days  of  your  lives  for 
that  which  ye  could  not  obtain;  and  ye  have  sought  for  hap- 
piness in  doing  iniquity,  which  thing  is  contrary  to  the  nature 
of  that  righteousness  which  is  in  our  great  and  Eternal  Head. 

53  O  ye  people  of  the  land,  that  ye  would  hear  my  words. 
And  I  pray  that  the  anger  of  the  Lord  be  turned  away  from 
you,  and  that  ye  would  repent  and  be  saved. 

54  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  Samuel,  the  Lamanite, 
did  prophesy  a  great  many  more  things  which  can  not  be 
written. 

55  And  behold,  he  said  unto  them.  Behold,  I  give  unto  you 
a  sign:  for  five  years  more  cometh,  and  behold,  then  cometh 
the  Son  of  God  to  redeem  all  those  who  shall  believe  on  his 
name. 

56  And  behold,  this  will  I  give  unto  you  for  a  sign  at  the 
time  of  his  coming;  for  behold,  there  shall  be  great  lights  in 
heaven,  insomuch  that  in  the  night  before  he  cometh,  there 
shall  be  no  darkness,  insomuch  that  it  shall  appear  unto  man 
as  if  it  was  day; 

57  Therefore  there  shall  be  one  day  and  a  night,  and  a  day, 
as  if  it  were  one  day,  and  there  were  no  night;  and  this  shall 
be  unto  you  for  a  sign;  for  ye  shall  know  of  the  rising  of  the 
sun,  and  also  of  its  setting; 

58  Therefore  they  shall  know  of  a  surety  that  there  shall 
be  two  days  and  a  night;  nevertheless  the  night  shall  not  be 
darkened;  and  it  shall  be  the  night  before  he  is  born. 

59  And  behold  there  shall  be  a  new  star  arise,  such  an  one 


592  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  [chap.   5. 

as  ye  never  have  beheld;  and  this  also  shall  be  a  sign  unto 
you. 

60  And  behold  this  is  not  all,  there  shall  be  many  signs 
and  wonders  in  heaven. 

61  And  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  ye  shall  all  be  amazed, 
and  wonder,  insomuch  that  ye  shall  fall  to  the  earth. 

62  And  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  whosoever  shall  believe 
on  the  Son  of  God,  the  same  shall  have  everlasting  life. 

63  And  behold,  thus  hath  the  Lord  commanded  me,  by  his 
angel,  that  I  should  come  and  tell  this  thing  unto  you;  yea, 
he  hath  commanded  that  I  should  prophesy  these  things  unto 
you;  yea,  he  hath  said  unto  me.  Cry  unto  this  people,  Repent 
and  prepare  the  way  of  the  Lord. 

64  And  now  because  I  am  a  Lamanite,  and  have  spoken 
unto  you  the  words  which  the  Lord  hath  commanded  me,  and 
because.it  was  hard  against  you,  ye  are  angry  with  me,  and 
do  seek  to  destroy  me,  and  have  cast  me  out  from  among  you. 

65  And  ye  shall  hear  my  words,  for,  for  this  intent  I  have 
come  up  upon  the  walls  of  this  city,  that  ye  might  hear  and 
know  of  the  judgments  of  God  which  do  await  you  because 
of  your  iniquities,  and  also  that  ye  might  know  the  condi- 
tions of  repentance; 

66  And  also  that  ye  might  know  of  the  coming  of  Jesus 
Christ,  the  Son  of  God,  the  Father  of  heaven  and  of  earth, 
the  Creator  of  all  things,  from  the  beginning;  and  that  ye 
might  know  of  the  signs  of  his  coming,  to  the  intent  that  ye 
might  believe  on  his  name. 

67  And  if  ye  believe  on  his  name,  ye  will  repent  of  all 
your  sins,  that  thereby  ye  may  have  a  remission  of  them 
through  his  merits. 

68  And  behold,  again,  another  sign  I  give  unto  you;  yea  a 
sign  of  his  death;  for  behold,  he  surely  must  die,  that  salva- 
tion may  come; 

69  Yea,  it  behooveth  him,  and  becometh  expedient  that  he 
dieth,  to  bring  to  pass  the  resurrection  of  the  dead,  that 
thereby  men  may  be  brought  into  the  presence  of  the  Lord; 

70  Yea,  behold  this  death  bringeth  to  pass  the  resurrection, 
and  redeemeth  all  mankind  from  the  first  death;  that  spir- 


CHAP.   5.]  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  593 

itual  death  for  all  mankind,  by  the  fall  of  Adam,  being  cut 
off  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  or  considered  as  dead,  both 
as  to  things  temporal  and  to  things  spiritual. 

71  But  behold,  the  resurrection  of  Christ  redeemeth  man- 
kind, yea,  even  all  mankind,  and  bringeth  them  back  into  the 
presence  of  the  Lord; 

72  Yea,  and  it  bringeth  to  pass  the  conditions  of  repent- 
ance, that  whosoever  repenteth,  the  sam.e  is  not  hewn  down 
and  cast  into  the  fire; 

73  But  whosoever  repenteth  not,  is  hevm  down  and  cast 
into  the  fire,  and  there  cometh  upon  them  again  a  spiritual 
death,  yea,  a  second  death,  for  they  are  cut  off  again  as  to 
things  pertaining  to  righteousness; 

74  Therefore  repent  ye,  repent  ye,  lest  by  knowing  these 
things  and  not  doing  them,  ye  shall  suffer  yourselves  to  come 
under  condemnation,  and  ye  are  brought  down  unto  this  sec- 
ond death. 

75  But  behold,  as  I  said  unto  you  concerning  another  sign, 
a  sign  of  his  death,  behold,  in  that  day  that  he  shall  suffer 
death,  the  sun  shall  be  darkened  and  refuse  to  give  his  light 
unto  you;  and  also  the  moon,  and  the  stars; 

76  And  there  shall  be  no  light  upon  the  face  of  this  land, 
even  from  the  time  that  he  shall  suffer  death,  for  the  space 
of  three  days,  to  the  time  that  he  shall  rise  again  from  the 
dead; 

77  Yea,  at  the  time  that  he  shall  yield  up  the  ghost,  there 
shall  be  thunderings  and  lightnings  for  the  space  of  many 
hours,  and  the  earth  shall  shake  and  tremble,  and  the  rocks 
which  are  upon  the  face  of  the  earth,  which  are  both  above 
the  earth  and  beneath,  which  ye  know  at  this  time  is  solid,  or 
the  more  part  of  it  is  one  solid  mass,  shall  be  broken  up; 

78  Yea  they  shall  be  rent  in  twain,  and  shall  ever  after  be 
found  in  seams  and  in  cracks,  and  in  broken  fragments  upon 
the  face  of  the  whole  earth :  yea,  both  above  the  earth  and  be- 
neath. 

79  And  behold  there  shall  be  great  tempests,  and  there 
shall  be  many  mountains  laid  low,  like  unto  a  valley,  and 
there  shall  be  many  places,  which  are  now  called  valleys. 


594  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  [chap.   5. 

which  shall  become  mountains,  whose  height  thereof  is  great. 

80  And  many  highways  shall  be  broken  up,  and  many  cities 
shall  become  desolate,  and  many  graves  shall  be  opened,  and 
shall  yield  up  many  of  their  dead;  and  many  saints  shall  ap- 
pear unto  many. 

81  And  behold  thus  hath  the  angel  spoken  unto  me;  for 
he  said  unto  me,  that  there  should  be  thunderings  and  light- 
nings for  the  space  of  many  hours; 

82  And  he  said  unto  me  that  while  the  thunder  and  the 
lightning  lasted,  and  the  tempest,  that  these  things  should 
be,  and  that  darkness  should  cover  the  face  of  the  whole 
earth,  for  the  space  of  three  days. 

83  And  the  angel  said  unto  me  that  many  shall  see  greater 
things  than  these,  to  the  intent  that  they  might  believe  that 
these  signs  and  these  wonders  should  come  to  pass,  upon  all 
the  face  of  this  land;  to  the  intent  that  there  should  be  no 
cause  for  unbelief  among  the  children  of  men; 

84  And  this  to  the  intent  that  whosoever  will  believe,  might 
be  saved,  and  that  whosoever  will  not  believe,  a  righteous 
judgment  might  come  upon  them:  and  also  if  they  are  con- 
demned, they  bring  upon  themselves  their  own  condemnation. 

85  And  now  remember,  remember,  my  brethren,  that  who- 
soever perisheth,  perisheth  unto  himself;  and  whosoever  doeth 
iniquity,  doeth  it  unto  himself;  for  behold  ye  are  free;  ye  are 
permitted  to  act  for  yourselves;  for  behold,  God  hath  given 
unto  you  a  knowledge,  and  he  hath  made  you  free; 

86  He  hath  given  unto  you  that  ye  might  know  good  from 
evil,  and  he  hath  given  unto  you  that  ye  might  choose  life 
or  death,  and  ye  can  do  good  and  be  restored  unto  that  which 
is  good,  or  have  that  which  is  good  restored  unto  you;  or  ye 
can  do  evil,  and  have  that  which  is  evil  restored  unto  you. 

87  And  now  my  beloved  brethren,  behold,  I  declare  unto 
you  that  except  ye  shall  repent,  your  houses  shall  be  left  unto 
you  desolate;  yea,  except  ye  repent,  your  women  shall  have 
great  cause  to  mourn  in  the  day  that  they  shall  give  suck; 

88  For  ye  shall  attempt  to  flee,  and  there  shall  be  no  place 
for  refuge;  yea,  and  wo  unto  them  which  are  with  child,  for 


CHAP.   5.]  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  ^        595 

they  shall  be  heavy,  and  can  not  flee;  therefore  they  shall 
be  trodden  down,  and  shall  be  left  to  perish; 

89  Yea,  wo  unto  this  people  who  are  called  the  people  of 
Nephi,  except  they  shall  repent  when  they  shall  see  all  these 
signs  and  wonders  which  shall  be  shewed  unto  them; 

90  For  behold,  they  have  been  a  chosen  people  of  the  Lord; 
yea,  the  people  of  Nephi  hath  he  loved,  and  also  hath  he 
chastened  them;  yea,  in  the  days  of  their  iniquities  hath  he 
chastened  them,  because  he  loveth  them. 

91  But  behold  my  brethren,  the  Lamanites  hath  he  hated, 
because  their  deeds  have  been  evil  continually:  and  this  be- 
cause of  the  iniquity  of  the  tradition  of  their  fathers. 

92  But  behold,  salvation  hath  come  unto  them,  through  the 
preaching  of  the  Nephites;  and  for  this  intent  hath  the  Lord 
prolonged  their  days. 

93  And  I  would  that  ye  should  behold  that  the  more  part  of 
them  are  in  the  path  of  their  duty,  and  they  do  walk  circum- 
spectly before  God,  and  they  do  observe  to  keep  his  command- 
ments, and  his  statutes,  and  his  judgments,  according  to  the 
law  of  Moses. 

94  Yea,  I  say  unto  you,  that  the  more  part  of  them  are 
doing  this,  and  they  are  striving,  with  unwearied  diligence, 
that  they  may  bring  the  remainder  of  their  brethren  to  the 
knowledge  of  the  truth;  therefore  there  are  many  who  do 
add  to  their  numbers  daily. 

95  And  behold  ye  do  know  of  yourselves,  for  ye  have  wit- 
nessed it,  that  as  many  of  them  as  are  brought  to  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  truth,  and  to  know  of  the  wicked  and  abominable 
traditions  of  their  fathers,  and  are  led  to  believe  the  holy 
scriptures, 

96  Yea,  the  prophecies  of  the  holy  prophets,  which  are 
written,  which  leadeth  them  to  faith  on  the  Lord,  and  unto 
repentance,  which  faith  and  repen^"ance  bringeth  a  change  of 
heart  unto  them; 

97  Therefore  as  many  as  have  come  to  this,  ye  know  of 
yourselves,  are  firm  and  steadfast  in  the  faith,  and  in  the 
things  wherewith  they  have  been  made  free. 

98  And  ye  know  also  that  they  have  buried  their  weapons 


596       '  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  [chap.  5. 

of  war,  and  they  fear  to  take  them  up,  lest  by  any  means 
they  should  sin ;  yea,  ye  can  see  that  they  fear  to  sin ; 

99  For  behold,  they  will  suffer  themselves  that  they  be  trod- 
den down  and  slain  by  their  enemies,  and  will  not  lift  their 
swords  against  them;  and  this  because  of  their  faith  in 
Christ. 

100  And  now  because  of  their  steadfastness,  when  they  do 
believe,  in  that  thing  which  they  do  believe;  for  because  of 
their  firmness  when  they  are  once  enlightened,  behold  the 
Lord  shall  bless  them  and  prolong  their  days,  notwithstand- 
ing their  iniquity; 

101  Yea,  even  if  they  should  dwindle  in  unbelief,  the  Lord 
shall  prolong  their  days  until  the  time  shall  come  which  hath 
been  spoken  of  by  our  fathers,  and  also  by  the  prophet  Zenos, 
and  many  other  prophets,  concerning  the  restoration  of  our 
brethren,  the  Lamanites,  again,  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth ; 

102  Yea,  I  say  unto  you,  that  in  the  latter  times,  the  prom- 
ises of  the  Lord  hath  been  extended  to  our  brethren,  the  La- 
manites ; 

103  And  notwithstanding  the  many  afflictions  which  they 
shall  have,  and  notwithstanding  they  shall  be  driven  to  and 
fro  upon  the  face  of  the  earth,  and  be  hunted,  and  shall  be 
smitten  and  scattered  abroad,  having  no  place  for  refuge,  the 
Lord  shall  be  merciful  unto  them; 

104  And  this  is  according  to  the  prophecy,  that  they  shall 
again  be  brought  to  the  true  knowledge,  which  is  the  knowl- 
edge of  their  Redeemer,  and  their  great  and  true  Shepherd, 
and  be  numbered  among  his  sheep. 

105  Therefore  I  say  unto  you.  It  shall  be  better  for  them 
than  for  you,  except  ye  repent. 

106  For  behold,  had  the  mighty  works  been  shewn  unto 
them  which  have  been  shewn  unto  you;  yea,  unto  them  who 
have  dwindled  in  unbelief  because  of  the  traditions  of  their 
fathers,  ye  can  see  of  yourselves,  that  they  never  would  again 
have  dwindled  in  unbelief; 

107  Therefore,  saith  the  Lord,  I  will  not  utterly  destroy 
them,  but  I  will  cause  that  in  the  day  of  my  wisdom,  they 
shall  return  again  unto  me,  saith  the  Lord. 


CHAP.   5.]  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  597 

108  And  now  behold,  saith  the  Lord,  concerning  the  people 
of  the  Nephites,  If  they  will  not  repent,  and  observe  to  do 
my  will,  I  will  utterly  destroy  them  saith  the  Lord,  because 
of  their  unbelief,  notwithstanding  the  many  mighty  works 
which  I  have  done  among  them;  and  as  surely  as  the  Lord 
liveth,  shall  these  things  be,  saith  the  Lord. 

109  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  there  were  many  who 
heard  the  words  of  Samuel,  the  Lamanite,  which  he  spake 
upon  the  walls  of  the  city. 

110  And  as  many  as  believed  on  his  words,  went  forth  and 
sought  for  Nephi;  and  when  they  had  come  forth  and  found 
him,  they  confessed  unto  him  their  sins  and  denied  not,  de- 
siring that  they  might  be  baptized  unto  the  Lord. 

111  But  as  many  as  there  were  who  did  not  believe  in  the 
words  of  Samuel,  were  angry  with  him;  and  they  cast  stones 
at  him  upon  the  wall,  and  also  many  shot  arrows  at  him,  as 
he  stood  upon  the  wall; 

112  But  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  was  with  him,  insomuch 
that  they  could  not  hit  him  with  their  stones,  neither  with 
their  arrows. 

113  Now  when  they  saw  that  they  could  not  hit  him,  there 
were  many  more  who  did  believe  on  his  words,  insomuch  that 
they  went  away  unto  Nephi  to  be  baptized. 

114  For  behold,  Nephi  was  baptizing,  and  prophesying,  and 
preaching,  crying  repentance  unto  the  people;  shewing  signs 
and  wonders;  working  miracles  among  the  people,  that  they 
might  know  that  the  Christ  must  shortly  come; 

115  Telling  them  of  things  which  m.ust  shortly  come,  that 
they  might  know  and  remember  at  the  time  of  their  coming 
that  they  had  been  made  known  unto  them  beforehand,  to  the 
intent  that  they  might  believe; 

116  Therefore  as  many  as  believed  on  the  words  of  Sam- 
uel, went  forth  unto  him  to  be  baptized,  for  they  came  repent- 
ing and  confessing  their  sins. 

117  But  the  more  part  of  them  did  not  believe  in  the  words 
of  Samuel;  therefore,  when  they  saw  that  they  could  not  hit 
him  with  their  stones  and  their  arrows,  they  cried  out  unto 


598  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  [chap.   5. 

their  captains,   saying,  Take  this  fellow  and  bind  him,  for 
behold,  he  hath  a  devil; 

118  And  because  of  the  power  of  the  devil  which  is  in  him, 
we  can  not  hit  him  with  our  stones  and  our  arrows;  there- 
fore take  him  and  bind  him,  and  away  with  him. 

119  And  as  they  went  forth  to  lay  their  hands  on  him, 
behold,  he  did  cast  himself  down  from  the  wall,  and  did  flee 
out  of  their  lands,  yea,  even  unto  his  own  country,  and  began 
to  preach  and  to  prophesy  among  his  own  people. 

120  And  behold,  he  was  never  heard  of  more  among  the 
Nephites;  and  thus  were  the  affairs  of  the  people. 

121  And  thus  ended  the  eighty  and  sixth  year  of  the  reign 
of  the  Judges  over  the  people  of  Nephi. 

122  And  thus  ended,  also,  the  eighty  and  seventh  year  of 
the  reign  of  the  Judges,  the  more  part  of  the  people  remain- 
ing in  their  pride  and  wickedness,  and  the  lesser  part  walk- 
ing more  circumspectly  before  God. 

123  And  these  were  the  conditions,  also,  in  the  eighty  and 
eighth  year  of  the  reign  of  the  Judges. 

124  And  there  was  but  little  alteration  in  the  affairs  of 
the  people,  save  it  were  the  people  began  to  be  more  hardened 
in  iniquity,  and  do  more  and  more  of  that  which  was  con- 
trary to  the  commandments  of  God,  in  the  eighty  and  ninth 
year  of  the  reign  of  the  Judges. 

125  TJBut  it  came  to  pass  in  the  ninetieth  year  of  the  reign 
of  the  Judges,  there  were  great  signs  given  unto  the  people, 
and  wonders;  and  the  words  of  the  prophets  began  to  be  ful- 
filled; 

126  And  angels  did  appear  unto  men,  wise  men,  and  did 
declare  unto  them  glad  tidings  of  great  joy;  thus  in  this  year 
the  scriptures  began  to  be  fulfilled. 

127  Nevertheless,  the  people  began  to  harden  their  hearts, 
all  save  it  were  the  most  believing  part  of  them,  both  of  the 
Nephites,  and  also  of  the  Lamanites,  and  began  to  depend 
upon  their  own  strength,  and  upon  their  own  wisdom,  saying, 

128  Some  things  they  may  have  guessed  right,  among  so 
many;  but  behold,  we  know  that  all  these  great  and  marvelous 
works  can  not  come  to  pass,  of  which  has  been  spoken. 


CHAF.   5.]  BOOK    OF    HELAMAN.  599 

129  And  they  began  to  reason  and  to  contend  among  them- 
selves, saying,  that  it  is  not  reasonable  that  such  a  being  as 
a  Christ  shall  come; 

130  If  so,  and  he  be  the  Son  of  God,  the  father  of  heaven 
and  of  earth,  as  it  has  been  spoken,  why  will  he  not  shew 
himself  unto  us,  as  well  as  unto  them  who  shall  be  at  Jeru- 
salem? 

131  Yea,  why  will  he  not  shew  himself  in  this  land,  as  well 
as  in  the  land  at  Jerusalem? 

132  But  behold,  we  know  that  this  is  a  wicked  tradition, 
which  has  been  handed  down  unto  us  by  our  fathers,  to  cause 
us  that  we  should  believe  in  some  great  and  marvelous  thing 
which  should  come  to  pass,  but  not  among  us,  but  in  a  land 
which  is  far  distant,  a  land  which  we  know  not; 

133  Therefore  they  can  keep  us  in  ignorance,  for  we  can 
not  witness  with  our  own  eyes  that  they  are  true. 

134  And  they  will,  by  the  cunning  and  the  mysterious  arts 
of  the  evil  one,  work  some  great  mystery,  which  we  can  not 
understand,  which  will  keep  us  down  to  be  servants  to  their 
words,  and  also  servants  unto  them,  for  we  depend  upon  them 
to  teach  us  the  word; 

135  And  thus  will  they  keep  us  in  ignorance,  if  we  will 
yield  ourselves  unto  them  all  the  days  of  our  lives. 

136  And  many  more  things  did  the  people  imagine  up  in 
their  hearts,  which  were  foolish  and  vain; 

137  And  they  were  much  disturbed,  for  Satan  did  stir  them 
up  to  do  iniquity  continually;  yea,  he  did  go  about,  spreading 
rumors  and  contentions  upon  all  the  face  of  the  land,  that  he 
might  harden  the  hearts  of  the  people  against  that  which  was 
good,  and  against  that  which  should  come; 

138  And  notwithstanding  the  signs  and  the  wonders  which 
were  wrought  among  the  people  of  the  Lord,  and  the  many 
miracles  which  they  did,  Satan  did  get  great  hold  upon  the 
hearts  of  the  people,  upon  all  the  face  of  the  land. 

139  And  thus  ended  the  ninetieth  year  of  the  reign  of  the 
Judges  over  the  people  of  Nephi. 

140  And  thus  ended  the  book  of  Helaman,  according  to  the 
record  of  Helaman  and  his  sons. 


600  'SOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  1. 

THE  BOOK  OF  NEFHl. 

THE   SON  OF  NEPHI,  WHO  WAS  THE   SON  OF   HELAMAN. 


CHAPTER   1. 

And  Helaman  was  the  son  of  Helaman,  who  ivas  the  son  of 
Alma,  who  was  the  son  of  Alma,  being  a  descendant  of  Ne- 
phi  who  was  the  son  of  Lehi,  who  came  out  of  Jerusalem 
in  the  first  year  of  the  reign  of  Zedekiah,  the  king  of  Judah. 

1  ^Now  it  came  to  pass  that  the  ninety  and  first  year  had 
passed  away;  and  it  was  six  hundred  years  from  the  time 
that  Lehi  left  Jerusalem;  and  it  was  in  the  year  that  Lacho- 
neus  was  the  chief  Judge  and  the  governor  over  the  land. 

2  And  Nephi,  the  son  of  Helaman,  had  departed  out  of 
the  land  of  Zarahemla,  giving  charge  unto  his  son  Nephi, 
who  was  his  eldest  son,  concerning  the  plates  of  brass,  and 
all  the  records  which  had  been  kept,  and  all  those  things 
which  had  been  kept  sacred,  from  the  departure  of  Lehi  out 
of  Jerusalem ; 

3  Then  he  departed  out  of  the  land,  and  whither  he  went, 
no  man  knoweth;  and  his  son  Nephi  did  keep  the  record  in 
his  stead,  yea,  the  record  of  this  people. 

4  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  in  the  commencement  of  the 
ninety  and  second  year,  behold  the  prophecies  of  the  prophets 
began  to  be  fulfilled  more  fully;  for  there  began  to  be  greater 
signs  and  greater  miracles  wrought  among  the  people. 

5  But  there  were  some  who  began  to  say  that  the  time  was 
past  for  the  words  to  be  fulfilled,  which  were  spoken  by  Sam- 
uel, the  Lamanite. 

6  And  they  began  to  rejoice  over  their  brethren,  saying, 
Behold,  the  time  is  past,  and  the  words  of  Samuel  are  not 
fulfilled;  therefore,  your  joy  and  your  faith  concerning  this 
thing,  hath  been  vain. 

7  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  make  a  great  uproar 
throughout  the  land;  and  the  people  who  believed,  began  to 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  601 

be  very  sorrowful,  lest  by  any  means  those  things  which  had 
been  spoken,  might  not  come  to  pass. 

8  But  behold,  they  did  watch  steadfastly  for  that  day,  and 
that  night,  and  that  day,  which  should  be  as  one  day,  as  if 
there  were  no  night,  that  they  might  know  that  their  faith 
had  not  been  vain. 

9  TJNow  it  came  to  pass  that  there  was  a  day  set  apart  by 
the  unbelievers,  that  all  those  who  believed  in  those  traditions 
should  be  put  to  death,  except  the  sign  should  come  to  pass 
which  had  been  given  by  Samuel  the  prophet. 

10  Now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Nephi,  the  son  of  Ne- 
phi,  saw  this  wickedness  of  his  people,  his  heart  was  exceed- 
ing sorrowful. 

11  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  went  out  and  bowed  him- 
self down  upon  the  earth,  and  cried  mightily  to  his  God,  in 
behalf  of  his  people;  yea,  those  who  were  about  to  be  de- 
stroyed because  of  their  faith  in  the  tradition  of  their  fathers. 

12  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  cried  mightily  unto  the 
Lord,  all  that  day;  and  behold,  the  voice  of  the  Lord  came 
unto  him,  saying.  Lift  up  your  head  and  be  of  good  cheer,  for 
behold,  the  time  is  at  hand,  and  on  this  night  shall  the  sign 
be  given, 

13  And  on  the  morrow  come  I  into  the  world,  to  shew  unto 
the  world  that  I  will  fulfill  all  that  which  I  have  caused  to  be 
spoken  by  the  mouth  of  my  holy  prophets. 

14  Behold,  I  come  unto  my  own,  to  fulfill  all  things  which 
I  have  made  known  unto  the  children  of  men,  from  the  foun- 
dation of  the  world,  and  to  do  the  will,  both  of  the  Father, 
and  of  the  Son  of  the  Father,  because  of  me,  and  of  the  Son, 
because  of  my  flesh. 

15  And  behold,  the  time  is  at  hand,  and  this  night  shall  the 
sign  be  given. 

16  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  words  which  came  unto 
Nephi  were  fulfilled,  according  as  they  had  been  spoken: 

17  For  behold  at  the  going  down  of  the  sun,  there  was  no 
darkness;  and  the  people  began  to  be  astonished,  because 
there  was  no  darkness  when  the  night  came. 

18  And  there  were  many  who  had  not  believed  the  words 


602  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  1. 

of  the  prophets,  fell  to  the  earth,  and  became  as  if  they  were 
dead,  for  they  knew  that  the  great  plan  of  destruction  v/hich 
they  had  laid  for  those  who  believed  in  the  words  of  the 
prophets,  had  been  frustrated,  for  the  sign  which  had  been 
given  was  already  at  hand;  and  they  began  to  know  that  the 
Son  of  God  must  shortly  appear; 

19  Yea,  in  fine,  all  the  people  upon  the  face  of  the  whole 
earth,  from  the  west  to  the- east,  both  in  the  land  north  and. 
in  the  land  south,  were  so  exceedingly  astonished,  that  they 
fell  to  the  earth; 

20  For  they  knew  that  the  prophets  had  testified  of  these 
things  for  many  years,  and  that  the  sign  which  had  been 
given,  was  already  at  hand;  and  they  began  to  fear  because 
of  their  iniquity  and  their  unbelief. 

21  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  there  was  no  darkness  in  all 
that  night,  but  it  was  as  light  as  though  it  was  midday. 

22  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  sun  did  rise  in  the  morn- 
ing again,  according  to  its  proper  order;  and  they  knew  that 
it  was  the  day  that  the  Lord  should  be  born,  because  of  the 
sign  which  had  been  given. 

23  And  it  had  come  to  pass,  yea,  all  things,  every  whit, 
according  to  the  words  of  the  prophets. 

24  And  it  came  to  pass  also,  that  a  new  star  did  appear, 
according  to  the  word. 

25  And  it  came  to  pass  that  from  this  time  forth,  there  be- 
gan to  be  lyings  sent  forth  among  the  people  by  Satan,  to 
harden  their  hearts,  to  the  intent  that  they  might  not  believe 
in  those  signs  and  wonders  which  they  had  seen; 

26  But  notwithstanding  those  lyings  and  deceivings,  the 
more  part  of  the  people  did  believe,  and  were  converted  unto 
the  Lord. 

27  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Nephi  went  forth  among  the 
people,  and  also  many  others,  baptizing  unto  repentance,  in 
the  which,  there  were  a  great  remission  of  sins. 

28  And  thus  the  people  began  again  to  have  peace  in  the 
land;  and  there  were  no  contentions,  save  it  were  a  few  that 
began  to  preach,  endeavoring  to  prove  by  the  scriptures,  that 
it  was  no  more  expedient  to  observe  the  law  of  Moses. 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  603 

29  Now  in  this  thing  they  did  err,  having  not  understood 
the  scriptures. 

30  But  it  came  to  pass  that  they  soon  became  converted, 
and  were  convinced  of  the  error  which  they  were  in,  for  it 
was  made  known  unto  them  that  the  law  was  not  yet  fulfilled, 
and  that  it  must  be  fulfilled  in  every  whit; 

31  Yea,  the  word  came  unto  them  that  it  must  be  fulfilled; 
yea,  that  one  jot  nor  tittle  should  not  pass  away,  till  it  should 
all  be  fulfilled ;  therefore  in  this  same  year,  were  they  brought 
to  a  knowledge  of  their  error,  and  did  confess  their  faults. 

32  And  thus  the  ninety  and  second  year  did  pass  away, 
bringing  glad  tidings  unto  the  people  because  of  the  signs 
which  did  come  to  pass,  according  to  the  words  of  the 
prophecy  of  all  the  holy  prophets. 

33  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  ninety  and  third  year  did 
also  pass  away  in  peace,  save  it  were  for  the  Gadianton  rob- 
bers, who  dwelt  upon  the  mountains,  who  did  infest  the  land; 

34  For  so  strong  were  their  holds  and  their  secret  places 
that  the  people  could  not  overpower  them;  therefore  they  did 
commit  many  murders,  and  did  do  much  slaughter  among  the 
people. 

35  And  it  came  to  pass  that  in  the  ninety  and  fourth  year, 
they  began  to  increase  in  a  great  degree,  because  there  were 
many  dissenters  of  the  Nephites  who  did  flee  unto  them,  which 
did  cause  much  sorrow  unto  those  Nephites  who  did  remain 
in  the  land; 

36  And  there  was  also  a  cause  of  much  sorrow  among  the 
Lamanites,  for  behold,  they  had  many  children  who  did  grow 
up  and  began  to  wax  strong  in  years,  that  they  became  for 
themselves,  and  were  led  away  by  some  who  were  Zoramites, 
by  their  lyings  and  their  flattering  words,  to  join  those  Gadi- 
anton robbers; 

37  And  thus  were  the  Lamanites  afflicted  also,  and  began 
to  decrease  as  to  their  faith  and  righteousness,  because  of  the 
wickedness  of  the  rising  generation. 

38  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  thus  passed  away  the  ninety 
and  fifth  year  also,  and  the  people  began  to  forget  those  signs 


604  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  1. 

and  wonders  which  they  had  heard,  and  began  to  be  less  and 
less  astonished  at  a  sign  or  a  wonder  from  heaven, 

39  Insomuch  that  they  began  to  be  hard  in  their  hearts, 
and  blind  in  their  minds,  and  began  to  disbelieve  all  which 
they  had  heard  and  seen,  imagining  up  some  vain  thing  in 
their  hearts,  that  it  was  wrought  by  men,  and  by  the  power 
of  the  devil,  to  lead  away  and  deceive  the  hearts  of  the  people; 

40  And  thus  did  Satan  get  possession  of  the  hearts  of  the 
people  again,  insomuch  that  he  did  blind  their  eyes,  and  lead 
them  away  to  believe  that  the  doctrine  of  Christ  was  a  foolish 
and  a  vain  thing. 

41  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  people  began  to  wax  strong 
in  wickedness  and  abominations;  and  they  did  not  believe 
that  there  should  be  any  more  signs  or  wonders  given; 

42  And  Satan  did  go  about,  leading  away  the  hearts  of 
the  people,  tempting  them  and  causing  them  that  they  should 
do  great  wickedness  in  the  land. 

43  And  thus  did  pass  away  the  ninety  and  sixth  year;  and 
also  the  ninety  and  seventh  year;  and  also  the  ninety  and 
eighth  year;  and  also  the  ninety  and  ninth  year;  and  also  an 
hundred  years  had  passed  away,  since  the  days  of  Mosiah, 
who  was  king  over  the  people  of  the  Nephites. 

44  And  six  hundred  and  nine  years  had  passed  away,  since 
Lehi  left  Jerusalem;  and  nine  years  had  passed  away,  from 
the  time  when  the  sign  was  given,  which  was  spoken  of  by 
the  prophets,  that  Christ  should  come  into  the  world. 

45  Now  the  Nephites  began  to  reckon  their  time  from  this 
period  when  the  sign  was  given  or  from  the  coming  of  Christ; 

46  Therefore,  nine  years  had  passed  away,  and  Nephi,  who 
was  the  father  of  Nephi,  who  had  the  charge  of  the  records, 
did  not  return  to  the  land  of  Zarahemla,  and  could  nowhere 
be  found  in  all  the  land. 

47  T[And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  people  did  still  remain  in 
wickedness,  notwithstanding  the  much  preaching  and  prophe- 
sying which  was  sent  among  them;  and  thus  passed  away  the 
tenth  year  also;  and  the  eleventh  year  also  passed  away  in 
iniquity. 

48  And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  thirteenth  year,  there  began 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  605 

to  be  wars  and  contentions  throughout  all  the  land;  for  the 
Gadianton  robbers  had  become  so  numerous,  and  did  slay  so 
many  of  the  people,  and  did  lay  waste  so  many  cities,  and  did 
spread  so  much  death  and  carnage  throughout  the  land,  that 
it  became  expedient  that  all  the  people,  both  the  Nephites, 
and  the  Lamanites,  should  take  up  arms  against  them; 

49  Therefore  all  the  Lamanites,  who  had  become  converted 
unto  the  Lord,  did  unite  with  their  brethren,  the  Nephites, 
and  were  compelled,  for  the  safety  of  their  lives,  and  their 
women  and  their  children,  to  take  up  arms  against  those 
Gadianton  robbers; 

50  Yea,  and  also  to  maintain  their  rites,  and  their  privi- 
leges of  their  church,  and  of  their  worship,  and  their  free- 
dom, and  their  liberty. 

51  And  it  came  to  pass  that  before  this  thirteenth  year  had 
passed  away,  the  Nephites  were  threatened  with  utter  de- 
struction, because  of  this  war,  which  had  become  exceeding 
sore. 

52  And  it  came  to  pass  that  those  Lamanites  who  had 
united  with  the  Nephites,  were  numbered  among  the  Ne- 
phites: and  their  curse  was  taken  from  them,  and  their  skin 
became  white  like  unto  the  Nephites ; 

53  And  their  young  men  and  their  daughters  became  ex- 
ceeding fair,  and  they  were  numbered  among  the  Nephites, 
and  were  called  Nephites.  And  thus  ended  the  thirteenth 
year. 

54  ^And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  commencement  of  the  four- 
teenth year,  the  war  between  the  robbers  and  the  people  of 
Nephi  did  continue,  and  did  become  exceeding  sore; 

55  Nevertheless,  the  people  of  Nephi  did  gain  some  ad- 
vantage of  the  robbers,  insomuch  that  they  did  drive  them, 
back  out  of  their  lands  into  the  mountains,  and  into  their 
secret  places.    And  thus  ended  the  fourteenth  year. 

56  And  in  the  fifteenth  year  they  did  come  forth  again 
against  the  people  of  Nephi;  and  because  of  the  wickedness 
of  the  people  of  Nephi,  and  their  many  contentions  and  dis- 
sensions, the  Gadianton  robbers  did  gain  many  advantages 
over  them. 


606  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  2. 

57  And  thus  ended  the  fifteenth  year,  and  thus  were  the 
people  in  a  state  of  many  afflictions;  and  the  sword  of  de- 
struction did  hang  over  them,  insomuch  that  they  were  about 
to  be  smitten  down  by  it,  and  this  because  of  their  iniquity. 


CHAPTER   2. 

1  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  in  the  sixteenth  year  from 
the  coming  of  Christ,  Lachoneus,  the  governor  of  the  land, 
received  an  epistle  from  the  leader  and  the  governor  of  this 
band  of  robbers; 

2  And  these  are  the  words  which  were  written,  saying,  La- 
choneus, most  noble  and  chief  governor  of  the  land,  behold  I 
write  this  epistle  unto  you,  and  do  give  unto  you  exceeding 
great  praise  because  of  your  firmness,  and  also  the  firmness 
of  your  people,  in  maintaining  that  which  ye  suppose  to  be 
your  right  and  liberty; 

3  Yea,  ye  do  stand  well,  as  if  ye  were  supported  by  the 
hand  of  a  God  in  the  defense  of  your  liberty,  and  your  prop- 
erty, and  your  country,  or  that  which  ye  do  call  so. 

4  And  it  seemeth  a  pity  unto  me,  most  noble  Lachoneus, 
that  ye  should  be  so  foolish  and  vain  as  to  suppose  that  ye 
can  stand  against  so  many  brave  men,  who  are  at  my  com- 
mand, who  do  now  at  this  time  stand  in  their  arms,  and  do 
await,  with  great  anxiety,  for  the  word.  Go  down  upon  the 
Nephites  and  destroy  them. 

5  And  I,  knowing  of  their  unconquerable  spirit,  having 
proved  them  in  the  field  of  battle,  and  knowing  of  their  ever- 
lasting hatred  towards  you,  because  of  the  many  wrongs 
which  ye  have  done  unto  them,  therefore  if  they  should  come 
down  against  you,  they  would  visit  you  with  utter  destruc- 
tion; 

6  Therefore  I  have  wrote  this  epistle,  sealing  it  with  mine 
own  hand,  feeling  for  your  welfare,  because  of  your  firmness 
in  that  which  ye  believe  to  be  right,  and  your  noble  spirit  in 
the  field  of  battle; 

7  Therefore  I  write  unto  you  desiring  that  ye  would  yield 
up  unto  this  my  people,  your  cities,  your  lands,  and  your  pos- 


CHAP.  2.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  607 

sessions,    rather   than   that   they   should   visit   you    with    the 
sword,  and  that  destruction  should  come  upon  you; 

8  Or  in  other  words,  yield  yourselves  up  unto  us,  and  unite 
with  us,  and  become  acquainted  with  our  secret  works,  and 
become  our  brethren,  that  ye  may  be  like  unto  us;  not  our 
slaves,  but  our  brethren,  and  partners  of  all  our  substance. 

9  And  behold,  I  swear  unto  you.  If  ye  will  do  this,  with  an 
oath,  ye  shall  not  be  destroyed;  but  if  ye  will  not  do  this,  I 
swear  unto  you,  with  an  oath,  that  on  the  morrow  month,  I 
will  command  that  my  armies  shall  come  down  against  you, 

10  And  they  shall  not  stay  their  hand,  and  shall  spare  not, 
but  shall  slay  you,  and  shall  let  fall  the  sword  upon  you,  yea, 
even  until  ye  shall  become  extinct. 

11  And  behold,  I  am  Giddianhi;  and  I  am  the  governor  of 
this  the  secret  society  of  Gadianton;  which  society,  and  the 
works  thereof,  I  know  to  be  good;  and  they  are  of  ancient 
date,  and  they  have  been  handed  down  unto  us. 

12  And  I  write  this  epistle  unto  you,  Lachoneus,  and  I  hope 
that  ye  will  deliver  up  your  lands,  and  your  possessions,  with- 
out the  shedding  of  blood,  that  this  my  people  may  recover 
their  rights  and  government  who  have  dissented  away  from 
you,  because  of  your  wickedness  in  retaining  from  them  their 
rights  of  government;  and  except  ye  do  this,  I  will  avenge 
their  wrongs.     I  am  Giddianhi. 

13  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  when  Lachoneus  received  this 
epistle,  he  was  exceedingly  astonished,  because  of  the  boldness 
of  Giddianhi,  in  demanding  the  possession  of  the  land  of  the 
Nephites, 

14  And  also  of  threatening  the  people  and  avenging  the 
wrongs  of  those  that  had  received  no  wrong,  save  it  were 
they  had  wronged  themselves,  by  dissenting  away  unto  those 
wicked  and  abominable  robbers. 

15  Now  behold,  this  Lachoneus,  the  governor,  was  a  just 
man,  and  could  not  be  frightened  by  the  demands  and  the 
threatenings  of  a  robber; 

16  Therefore  he  did  not  hearken  to  the  epistle  of  Giddianhi, 
the  governor  of  the  robbers,  but  he  did  cause  that  his  people 


608  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  2. 

should  cry  unto  the  Lord  for  strength  against  the  time  that 
the  robbers  should  come  down  against  them; 

17  Yea,  he  sent  a  proclamation  among  all  the  people  that 
they  should  gather  together  their  women,  and  their  children, 
their  flocks  and  their  herds,  and  all  their  substance,  save  it 
were  their  land,  unto  one  place. 

18  And  he  caused  that  fortifications  should  be  built  round 
about  them,  and  the  strength  thereof  should  be  exceeding 
great. 

19  And  he  caused  that  there  should  be  armies,  both  of  the 
Nephites  and  of  the  Lamanites,  or  of  all  them  who  were  num- 
bered among  the  Nephites,  should  be  placed  as  guards  round 
about,  to  watch  them,  and  to  guard  them  from  the  robbers, 
day  and  night; 

20  Yea,  he  said  unto  them.  As  the  Lord  liveth,  except  ye 
repent  of  all  your  iniquities,  and  cry  unto  the  Lord,  that  they 
could  in  no  wise  be  delivered  out  of  the  hands  of  those  Gadi- 
anton  robbers. 

21  And  so  great  and  marvelous  were  the  words  and  prophe- 
cies of  Lachoneus,  that  they  did  cause  fear  to  come  upon  all 
the  people,  and  they  did  exert  themselves  in  their  might,  to 
do  according  to  the  words  of  Lachoneus. 

22  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  Lachoneus  did  appoint  chief 
captains  over  all  the  armies  of  the  Nephites,  to  command 
them  at  the  time  that  the  robbers  should  come  down  out  of 
the  wilderness  against  them. 

23  Now  the  chiefest  among  all  the  chief  captains,  and  the 
great  commander  of  all  the  armies  of  the  Nephites,  was  ap- 
pointed, and  his  name  was  Gidgiddoni. 

24  Now  it  was  the  custom  among  all  the  Nephites,  to  ap- 
point for  their  chief  captains,  save  it  were  in  their  times  of 
wickedness,  some  one  that  had  the  spirit  of  revelation,  and 
also  prophecy;  therefore  this  Gidgiddoni  was  a  great  prophet 
among  them,  and  also  was  the  chief  judge. 

25  Now  the  people  said  unto  Gidgiddoni,  Pray  unto  the 
Lord,  and  let  us  go  up  upon  the  mountains,  and  into  the  wil- 
derness, that  we  may  fall  upon  the  robbers  and  destroy  them, 
in  their  own  lands. 


CHAP.  2.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  609 

26  But  Gidgiddoni  saith  unto  them,  The  Lord  forbid;  for  if 
we  should  go  up  against  them,  the  Lord  would  deliver  us  into 
their  hands; 

27  Therefore  we  will  prepare  ourselves  in  the  center  of  our 
lands,  and  we  will  gather  all  our  armies  together,  and  we  will 
not  go  against  them,  but  we  will  wait  till  they  shall  come 
against  us; 

28  Therefore  as  the  Lord  liveth,  if  we  do  this,  he  will  de- 
liver them  into  our  hands. 

29  And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  seventeenth  year,  in  the  lat- 
ter end  of  the  year,  the  proclamation  of  Lachoneus  had  gone 
forth  throughout  all  the  face  of  the  land, 

30  And  they  had  taken  their  horses,  and  their  chariots,  and 
their  cattle,  and  all  their  flocks,  and  their  herds,  and  their 
grain,  and  all  their  substance, 

31  And  did  march  forth  by  thousands;  and  by  tens  of 
thousands,  until  they  had  all  gone  forth  to  the  place  which 
had  been  appointed,  that  they  should  gather  themselves  to- 
gether, to  defend  themselves  against  their  enemies. 

32  And  the  land  which  was  appointed  was  the  land  of 
Zarahemla  and  the  land  which  was  between  the  land  of  Zara- 
hemla  and  the  land  Bountiful;  yea,  to  the  line  which  was  be- 
tween the  land  Bountiful  and  the  land  Desolation; 

33  And  there  were  a  great  many  thousand  people  who  were 
called  Nephites,  who  did  gather  themselves  together  in  this 
land. 

34  Now  Lachoneus  did  cause  that  they  should  gather  them- 
selves together  in  the  land  southward,  because  of  the  great 
curse  which  was  upon  the  land  northward;  and  they  did  for- 
tify themselves  against  their  enemies; 

35  And  they  did  dwell  in  one  land,  and  in  one  body,  and 
they  did  fear  the  words  which  had  been  spoken  by  Lachoneus, 
insomuch  that  they  did  repent  of  all  their  sins; 

36  And  they  did  put  up  their  prayers  unto  the  Lord  their 
God,  that  he  would  deliver  them  in  the  time  that  their  ene- 
mies should  come  down  against  them  to  battle. 

37  And  they  were  exceeding  sorrowful  because  of  their 
enemy. 


610  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  2. 

38  And  Gidgiddoni  did  cause  that  they  should  make  weap- 
ons of  war,  of  every  kind,  that  they  should  be  strong  with 
armor,  and  with  shields,  and  with  bucklers,  after  the  man- 
ner of  his  instructions. 

39  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  in  the  latter  end  of  the  eight- 
eenth year,  those  armies  of  robbers  had  prepared  for  battle, 
and  began  to  come  down,  and  to  sally  forth  from  the  hills, 
and  out  of  the  mountains,  and  the  wilderness,  and  their 
strongholds,  and  their  secret  places, 

40  And  began  to  take  possession  of  the  lands  both  which 
was  in  the  land  south,  and  which  was  in  the  land  north,  and 
began  to  take  possession  of  all  the  lands  which  had  been  de- 
serted by  the  Nephites,  and  the  cities  which  had  been  left 
desolate. 

41  But  behold  there  were  no  wild  beasts  nor  game  in  those 
lands  which  had  been  deserted  by  the  Nephites,  and  there 
was  no  game  for  the  robbers  save  it  were  in  the  wilderness. 

42  And  the  robbers  could  not  exist  save  it  were  in  the  wil- 
derness, for  the  want  of  food;  for  the  Nephites  had  left  their 
lands  desolate,  and  had  gathered  their  flocks,  and  their  herds 
and  all  their  substance,  and  they  were  in  one  body; 

43  Therefore  there  was  no  chance  for  the  robbers  to  plun- 
der and  to  obtain  food,  save  it  were  to  come  up  in  open  battle 
against  the  Nephites; 

44  And  the  Nephites  being  in  one  body,  and  having  so 
great  a  number,  and  having  reserved  for  themselves  provi- 
sions, and  horses,  and  cattle,  and  flocks  of  every  kind,  that 
they  might  subsist  for  the  space  of  seven  years, 

45  In  the  which  time  they  did  hope  to  destroy  the  robbers 
from  off  the  face  of  the  land.  And  thus  the  eighteenth  year 
did  pass  away. 

46  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  in  the  nineteenth  year,  Gid- 
dianhi  found  that  it  was  expedient  that  he  should  go  up  to 
battle  against  the  Nephites,  for  there  was  no  way  that  they 
could  subsist,  save  it  were  to  plunder,  and  rob,  and  murder. 

47  And  they  durst  not  spread  themselves  upon  the  face  of 
the  land,  insomuch  that  they  could  raise  grain,  lest  the  Ne- 
phites should  come  upon  them  and  slay  them; 


CHAP.  2.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  611 

48  Therefore  Giddianhi  gave  commandment  unto  his  ar- 
mies, that  in  this  year  they  should  go  up  to  battle  against 
the  Nephites. 

49  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  come  up  to  battle; 
and  it  was  in  the  sixth  month;  and  behold,  great  and  terrible 
was  the  day  that  they  did  come  up  to  battle; 

50  And  they  were  girded  about  after  the  manner  of  rob- 
bers; and  they  had  a  lamb-skin  about  their  loins,  and  they 
were  dyed  in  blood ;  and  their  heads  were  shorn ;  and  they  had 
head-plates  upon  them; 

51  And  great  and  terrible  was  the  appearance  of  the  armies 
of  Giddianhi,  because  of  their  armor,  and  because  of  their 
being  dyed  in  blood. 

52  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  armies  of  the  Nephites, 
when  they  saw  the  appearance  of  the  army  of  Giddianhi,  had 
all  fallen  to  the  earth,  and  did  lift  their  cries  to  the  Lord 
their  God,  that  he  would  spare  them,  and  deliver  them  out 
of  the  hands  of  their  enemies. 

53  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  the  armies  of  Giddianhi 
saw  this,  they  began  to  shout  with  a  loud  voice,  because  of 
their  joy;  for  they  had  supposed  that  the  Nephites  had  fallen 
with  fear,  because  of  the  terror  of  their  armies; 

54  But  in  this  thing  they  were  disappointed,  for  the  Ne- 
phites did  not  fear  them,  but  they  did  fear  their  God,  and  did 
supplicate  him  for  protection; 

55  Therefore  when  the  armies  of  Giddianhi  did  rush  upon 
them,  they  were  prepared  to  meet  them;  yea,  in  the  strength 
of  the  Lord  they  did  receive  them;  and  the  battle  commenced 
in  this  the  sixth  month; 

56  And  great  and  terrible  was  the  battle  thereof;  yea,  great 
and  terrible  was  the  slaughter  thereof,  insomuch  that  there 
never  was  known  so  great  a  slaughter  among  all  the  people 
of  Lehi  since  he  left  Jerusalem. 

57  And  notwithstanding  the  threatenings  and  the  oaths 
which  Giddianhi  had  made,  behold,  the  Nephites  did  beat 
them,  insomuch  that  they  did  fall  back  from  before  them. 

58  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Gidgiddoni  commanded  that 
his  armies  should  pursue  them  as  far  as  the  borders  of  the 


312  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  2. 

wilderness,  and  that  they  should  not  spare  any  that  should 
fall  into  their  hands  by  the  way; 

59  And  thus  they  did  pursue  them,  and  did  slay  them,  to 
the  borders  of  the  wilderness,  even  until  they  had  fulfilled 
the  commandment  of  Gidgiddoni. 

60  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  Giddianhi,  who  had  stood 
and  fought  with  boldness,  was  pursued  as  he  fled;  and  being 
weary  because  of  his  much  fighting,  he  was  overtaken  and 
slain.    And  thus  was  the  end  of  Giddianhi,  the  robber. 

61  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  armies  of  the  Nephites 
did  return  again  to  their  place  of  security. 

62  And  it  came  to  pass  that  this  nineteenth  year  did  pass 
away,  and  the  robbers  did  not  come  again  to  battle;  neither 
did  they  come  in  the  twentieth  year; 

63  And  in  the  twenty  and  first  year  they  did  not  come  up 
to  battle,  but  they  came  up  on  all  sides  to  lay  siege  round 
about  the  people  of  Nephi; 

64  For  they  did  suppose  that  if  they  should  cut  off  the 
people  of  Nephi  from  their  lands,  and  should  hem  them  in  on 
3very  side,  and  if  they  should  cut  them  off  from  all  their  out- 
ward privileges,  that  they  could  cause  them  to  yield  them- 
selves up  according  to  their  wishes. 

65  Now  they  had  appointed  unto  themselves  another  leader, 
whose  name  was  Zemnarihah;  therefore  it  was  Zemnarihah 
that  did  cause  that  this  siege  should  take  place. 

66  But  behold  this  was  an  advantage  to  the  Nephites;  for 
it  was  impossible  for  the  robbers  to  lay  siege  sufficiently  long 
to  have  any  effect  upon  the  Nephites,  because  of  their  much 
provision  which  they  had  laid  up  in  store,  and  because  of  the 
scantiness  of  provisions  among  the  robbers; 

67  For  behold  they  had  nothing  save  it  were  meat  for  their 
subsistence,  which  meat  they  did  obtain  in  the  wilderness. 

68  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  wild  game  became  scarce 
in  the  wilderness,  insomuch  that  the  robbers  were  about  to 
perish  with  hunger. 

69  And  the  Nephites  were  continually  marching  out  by  day 
and  by  night,  and  falling  upon  their  armies,  and  cutting  them 
off  by  thousands  and  by  tens  of  thousands. 


CHAP.  2.]  BOOK    OF    N12PHI.  613 

70  And  thus  it  became  the  desire  of  the  people  of  Zemna- 
rihah,  to  withdraw  from  their  design,  because  of  the  great 
destruction  which  came  upon  them  by  night  and  by  day. 

71  'jjAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  Zemnarihah  did  give  com- 
mand unto  his  people,  that  they  should  withdraw  themselves 
from  the  siege,  and  march  into  the  furthermost  parts  of  the 
land,  northward. 

72  And  now,  Gidgiddoni,  being  aware  of  their  design,  and 
knowing  of  their  weakness  because  of  the  want  of  food,  and 
the  great  slaughter  which  had  been  made  among  them,  there- 
fore he  did  send  out  his  armies  in  the  night  time,  and  did  cut 
off  the  way  of  their  retreat,  and  did  place  his  armies  in  the 
way  of  their  retreat; 

73  And  this  did  they  do  in  the  night  time,  and  got  on  their 
march  beyond  the  robbers,  so  that  on  the  morrow,  when  the 
robbers  began  their  march,  they  were  met  by  the  armies  of 
the  Nephites,  both  in  their  front  and  in  their  rear. 

74  And  the  robbers  who  were  on  the  south,  were  also  cut 
off  in  their  places  of  retreat.  And  all  these  things  were  done 
by  command  of  Gidgiddoni. 

75  And  there  were  many  thousands  who  did  yield  them- 
selves up  prisoners  unto  the  Nephites;  and  the  remainder  of 
them  were  slain;  and  their  leader,  Zemnarihah,  was  taken, 
and  hanged  upon  a  tree,  yea,  even  upon  the  top  thereof,  until 
he  was  dead. 

76  And  when  they  had  hanged  him  until  he  was  dead,  they 
did  fall  the  tree  to  the  earth,  and  did  cry  with  a  loud  voice, 
saying.  May  the  Lord  preserve  his  people  in  righteousness 
and  in  holiness  of  heart,  that  they  may  cause  to  be  fell  to 
the  earth  all  who  shall  seek  to  slay  them  because  of  power 
and  secret  combinations,  even  as  this  man  hath  been  fell  to 
the  earth. 

77  And  they  did  rejoice  and  cry  again  with  one  voice,  say- 
ing. May  the  God  of  Abraham,  and  the  God  of  Isaac,  and  the 
God  of  Jacob,  protect  this  people  in  righteousness,  so  long  as 
they  shall  call  on  the  name  of  their  God  for  protection. 

78  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  break  forth,  all  as 
one,  in  singing  and  praising  their  God,  for  the  great  thing 


614  BOOK    OF    NEPHI. '  [chap.  2. 

which  he  had  done  for  them,  in  preserving  them  from  falling 
into  the  hands  of  their  enemies; 

79  Yea,  they  did  cry,  Hosanna  to  the  Most  High  God;  and 
they  did  cry,  Blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord  God  Almighty, 
the  Most  High  God. 

80  And  their  hearts  were  swollen  with  joy,  unto  the  gush- 
ing out  of  many  tears,  because  of  the  great  goodness  of  God 
in  delivering  them  out  of  the  hands  of  their  enemies; 

81  And  they  knew  it  was  because  of  their  repentance  and 
their  humility  that  they  had  been  delivered  from  an  everlast- 
ing destruction. 

82  And  now  behold  there  was  not  a  living  soul  among  all 
the  people  of  the  Nephites,  who  did  doubt  in  the  least  the 
words  of  all  the  holy  prophets  who  had  spoken; 

83  For  they  knew  that  it  must  needs  be  that  they  must  be 
fulfilled;  and  they  knew  that  it  must  be  expedient  that  Christ 
had  come,  because  of  the  many  signs  which  had  been  given, 
according  to  the  words  of  the  prophets, 

84  And  because  of  the  things  which  had  come  to  pass 
already,  they  knew  that  it  must  needs  be  that  all  things  should 
come  to  pass  according  to  that  which  had  been  spoken; 

85  Therefore  they  did  forsake  all  their  sins  and  their 
abominations,  and  their  whoredoms,  and  did  serve  God  with 
all  diligence  day  and  night. 

86  TJAnd  now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  they  had  taken  all 
the  robbers  prisoners,  insomuch  that  none  did  escape  who 
were  not  slain,  they  did  cast  their  prisoners  into  prison,  and 
did  cause  the  word  of  God  to  be  preached  unto  them; 

87  And  as  many  as  would  repent  of  their  sins  and  enter 
into  a  covenant  that  they  would  murder  no  more,  were  set  at 
liberty; 

88  But  as  many  as  there  were  who  did  not  enter  into  a 
covenant,  and  who  did  still  continue  to  have  those  secret  mur- 
ders in  their  hearts;  yea,  as  many  as  were  found  breathing 
out  threatenings  against  their  brethren,  were  condemned  and 
punished  according  to  the  law. 

89  And  thus  they  did  put  an  end  to  all  those  wicked,  and 


CHAP.  2.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  615 

secret,  and  abominable  combinations,  in  the  which  there  was 
so  much  wickedness,  and  so  many  murders  committed. 

90  And  thus  had  the  twenty  and  second  year  passed  away, 
and  the  twenty  and  third  year  also,  and  the  twenty  and 
fourth,  and  the  twenty  and  fifth; 

91  And  thus  had  twenty  and  five  years  passed  away,  and 
there  had  many  things  transpired  which,  in  the  eyes  of  some, 
would  be  great  and  marveleus; 

92  Nevertheless,  they  can  not  all  be  written  in  this  book; 
yea,  this  book  can  not  contain  even  a  hundredth  part  of  what 
was  done  among  so  many  people,  in  the  space  of  twenty  and 
five  years; 

93  But  behold  there  are  records  which  do  contain  all  the 
proceedings  of  this  people;  and  a  more  short  but  a  true  ac- 
count was  given  by  Nephi; 

94  Therefore  I  have  made  my  record  of  these  things  ac- 
cording to  the  record  of  Nephi,  which  was  engraven  on  the 
plates  which  were  called  the  plates  of  Nephi. 

95  And  behold  I  do  make  this  record  on  plates  which  I  have 
made  with  mine  own  hands. 

96  And  behold,  I  am  called  Mormon,  being  called  after  the 
land  of  Mormon,  the  land  in  the  which  Alma  did  establish  the 
church  among  this  people;  yea,  the  first  church  which  was 
established  among  them  after  their  transgression. 

97  Behold  I  am  a  disciple  of  Jesus  Christ,  the  Son  of  God. 
I  have  been  called  of  him  to  declare  his  word  among  his  peo- 
ple, that  they  might  have  everlasting  life. 

98  And  it  hath  become  expedient  that  I,  according  to  the 
will  of  God,  that  the  prayers  of  those  who  have  gone  hence, 
who  were  the  holy  ones,  should  be  fulfilled  according  to  their 
faith,  should  make  a  record  of  these  things,  which  have  been 
done; 

99  Yea,  a  small  record  of  that  which  hath  taken  place  from 
the  time  that  Lehi  left  Jerusalem,  even  down  until  the  pres- 
ent time; 

100  Therefore  I  do  make  my  record  from  the  accounts 
which  have  been  given  by  those  who  were  before  me,  until  the 


616  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  2. 

commencement  of  my  day;  and  then  do  I  make  a  record  of 
the  things  which  I  have  seen  with  mine  own  eyes. 

101  And  I  know  the  record  which  I  make  to  be  a  just  and 
a  true  record;  nevertheless  there  are  many  things  which,  ac- 
cording to  our  language,  we  are  not  able  to  write. 

102  And  now  I  make  an  end  of  my  saying  which  is  of 
myself,  and  proceed  to  give  my  account  of  the  things  which 
have  been  before  me.  I  am  Mormon,  and  a  pure  descendant 
of  Lehi. 

103  I  have  reason  to  bless  my  God  and  my  Savior  Jesus 
Christ,  that  he  brought  our  fathers  out  of  the  land  of  Jeru- 
salem, (and  no  one  knew  it  save  it  were  himself  and  those 
whom  he  brought  out  of  that  land,)  and  that  he  hath  given 
me  and  my  people  so  much  knowledge  unto  the  salvation  of 
our   souls. 

104  Surely  he  hath  blessed  the  house  of  Jacob,  and  hath 
been  merciful  unto  the  seed  of  Joseph. 

105  And  insomuch  as  the  children  of  Lehi  have  kept  his 
commandments,  he  hath  blessed  them  and  prospered  them  ac- 
cording to  his  word; 

106  Yea,  and  surely  shall  he  again  bring  a  remnant  of  the 
seed  of  Joseph  to  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord  their  God; 

107  And  as  surely  as  the  Lord  liveth  will  he  gather  in  from 
the  four  quarters  of  the  earth,  all  the  remnant  of  the  seed 
of  Jacob,  who  are  scattered  abroad  upon  all  the  face  of  the 
earth ; 

108  And  as  he  hath  covenanted  with  all  the  house  of  Jacob, 
even  so  shall  the  covenant  wherewith  he  hath  covenanted 
with  the  house  of  Jacob,  be  fulfilled  in  his  own  due  time,  unto 
the  restoring  all  the  house  of  Jacob  unto  the  knowledge  of 
the  covenant  that  he  hath  covenanted  with  them; 

109  And  then  shall  they  know  their  Redeemer,  who  is  Jesus 
Christ,  the  Son  of  God;  and  then  shall  they  be  gathered  in 
from  the  four  quarters  of  the  earth,  unto  their  own  lands, 
from  whence  they  have  been  dispersed;  yea,  as  the  Lord 
liveth,  "so  shall  it  be.     Amen. 


CHAP.  3.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  617 

CHAPTER  3. 

1  IJAnd  now  it  came  to  pass  that  the  people  of  the  Nephites 
did  all  return  to  their  own  lands,  in  the  twenty  and  sixth 
year,  every  man,  with  his  family,  his  flocks  and  his  herds, 
his  horses  and  his  cattle,  and  all  things  whatsoever  did  be- 
long unto  them. 

2  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  had  not  eaten  up  all  their 
provisions;  therefore  they  did  take  with  them  all  that  they 
had  not  devoured,  of  all  their  grain  of  every  kind,  and  their 
gold,  and  their  silver,  and  all  their  precious  things, 

3  And  they  did  return  to  their  own  lands  and  their  pos- 
sessions, both  on  the  north  and  on  the  south,  both  on  the 
land  northward  and  on  the  land  southward. 

4  And  they  granted  unto  those  robbers  who  had  entered 
into  a  covenant  to  keep  the  peace  of  the  land,  who  were  de- 
sirous to  remain  Lamanites,  lands,  according  to  their  num- 
bers, that  they  might  have,  with  their  labors,  wherewith  to 
subsist  upon;  and  thus  they  did  establish  peace  in  all  the 
land. 

5  And  they  began  again  to  prosper  and  to  wax  great;  and 
the  twenty  and  sixth  and  seventh  years  passed  away,  and 
there  was  great  order  in  the  land;  and  they  had  formed  their 
laws  according  to  equity  and  justice. 

6  And  now  there  was  nothing  in  all  the  land,  to  hinder  the 
people  from  prospering  continually,  except  they  should  fall 
into  transgressions. 

7  And  now  it  was  Gidgiddoni,  and  the  judge  Lachoneus, 
and  those  who  had  been  appointed  leaders,  who  had  estab- 
lished this  great  peace  in  the  land. 

8  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  there  were  many  cities  built 
anew,  and  there  were  many  old  cities  repaired,  and  there 
were  many  highways  cast  up,  and  many  roads  made,  which 
led  from  city  to  city,  and  from  land  to  land,  and  from  place 
to  place. 

9  And  thus  passed  away  the  twenty  and  eighth  year,  and 
the  people  had  continual  peace. 


618  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  3. 

10  But  it  came  to  pass  in  the  twenty  and  ninth  year,  there 
began  to  be  some  disputings  among  the  people; 

11  And  some  were  lifted  up  unto  pride  and  boastings,  be- 
cause of  their  exceeding  great  riches,  yea,  even  unto  great 
persecutions :  for  there  were  many  merchants  in  the  land,  and 
also  many  lawyers,  and  many  officers. 

12  And  the  people  began  to  be  distinguished  by  ranks,  ac- 
cording to  their  riches,  and  their  chances  for  learning; 

13  Yea,  some  were  ignorant  because  of  their  poverty,  and 
others  did  receive  great  learning  because  of  their  riches; 

14  Some  were  lifted  up  in  pride,  and  others  were  exceed- 
ing humble;  some  did  return  railing  for  railing,  while  others 
would  receive  railing,  and  persecution,  and  all  manner  of 
afflictions,  and  would  not  turn  and  revile  again,  but  were 
humble  and  penitent  before  God; 

15  And  thus  there  became  a  great  inequality  in  all  the 
land,  insomuch  that  the  church  began  to  be  broken  up;  yea, 
insomuch  that  in  the  thirtieth  year  the  church  was  broken 
up  in  all  the  land,  save  it  were  among  a  few  of  the  Laman- 
ites,  who  were  converted  unto  the  true  faith; 

16  And  they  would  not  depart  from  it,  for  they  were  firm, 
and  steadfast,  and  immovable,  willing  with  all  diligence  to 
keep  the  commandments  of  the  Lord. 

17  Now  the  cause  of  this  iniquity  of  the  people,  was  this: 
Satan  had  great  power,  unto  the  stirring  up  of  the  people  to 
do  all  manner  of  iniquity,  and  to  the  puffing  them  up  with 
pride,  tempting  them  to  seek  for  power,  and  authority,  and 
riches,  and  the  vain  things  of  the  world. 

18  And  thus  Satan  did  lead  away  the  hearts  of  the  peo- 
ple, to  do  all  manner  of  iniquity;  therefore  they  had  not  en- 
joyed peace  but  a  few  years. 

19  And  thus  in  the  commencement  of  the  thirtieth  year, 
the  people  having  been  delivered  up  for  the  space  of  a  long 
time,  to  be  carried  about  by  the  temptations  of  the  devil 
whithersoever  he  desired  to  carry  them,  and  to  do  whatso- 
ever iniquity  he  desired  they  should;  and  thus  in  the  com- 
mencement of  this,  the  thirtieth  year,  they  were  in  a  state  of 
awful  wickedness. 


CHAP.  3.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  619 

20  Now  they  did  not  sin  ignorantly,  for  they  knew  the  will 
of  God  concerning  them,  for  it  had  been  taught  unto  them; 
therefore  they  did  willfully  rebel  against  God. 

21  And  now  it  was  in  the  days  of  Lachoneus,  the  son  of 
Lachoneus,  for  Lachoneus  did  fill  the  seat  of  his  father  and 
did  govern  the  people  that  year. 

22  And  there  began  to  be  men  inspired  from  heaven,  and 
sent  forth,  standing  among  the  people  in  all  the  land,  preach- 
ing and  testifying  boldly  of  the  sins  and  iniquities  of  the 
people, 

23  And  testifying  unto  them  concerning  the  redemption 
which  the  Lord  would  make  for  his  people;  or  in  other  words, 
the  resurrection  of  Christ;  and  they  did  testify  boldly  of  his 
death  and  sufferings. 

24  Now  there  were  many  of  the  people  who  were  exceed- 
ing angry,  because  of  those  who  testified  of  these  things : 

25  And  those  who  were  angry,  were  chiefly  the  chief 
judges,  and  they  who  had  been  high  priests  and  lawyers; 

26  Yea,  all  those  who  were  lawyers,  were  angry  with  those 
who  testified  of  these  things. 

27  Now  there  was  no  lawyer,  nor  judge,  nor  high  priest, 
that  could  have  power  to  condemn  any  one  to  death,  save  their 
condemnation  was  signed  by  the  governor  of  the  land. 

28  Now  there  were  many  of  those  who  testified  of  the 
things  pertaining  to  Christ,  who  testified  boldly,  who  were 
taken  and  put  to  death  secretly  by  the  judges,  that  the  knowl- 
edge of  their  death  came  not  unto  the  governor  of  the  land, 
until  after  their  death. 

29  Now  behold  this  was  contrary  to  the  laws  of  the  land, 
that  any  man  should  be  put  to  death,  except  they  had  power 
from  the  governor  of  the  land; 

30  Therefore  a  complaint  came  unto  the  land  of  Zarahemla, 
to  the  governor  of  the  land,  against  these  judges  who  had 
condemned  the  prophets  of  the  Lord  unto  death,  not  accord- 
ing to  the  law. 

31  ^Now  it  came  to  pass  that  they  were  taken  and  brought 
up  before  the  judge,  to  be  judged  of  the  crime  which  they  had 


620  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  3. 

done,   according   to   the   law   which   had   been   given   by  the 
people. 

32  Now  it  came  to  pass  that  those  judges  had  many  friends 
and  kindreds;  and  the  remainder,  yea,  even  almost  all  the 
lawyers  and  the  high  priests,  did  gather  themselves  together, 
and  unite  with  the  kindreds  of  those  judges  who  were  to  be 
tried  according  to  the  law; 

33  And  they  did  enter  into  a  covenant  one  with  another, 
yea,  even  into  that  covenant  which  was  given  by  them  of  old, 
which  covenant  v/as  given  and  administered  by  the  devil,  to 
combine  against  all  righteousness; 

34  Therefore  they  did  combine  against  the  people  of  the 
Lord,  and  enter  into  a  covenant  to  destroy  them,  and  to  de- 
liver those  who  were  guilty  of  murder  from  the  grasp  of  jus- 
tice, which  was  about  to  be  administered  according  to  the  law. 

35  And  they  did  set  at  defiance  the  law  and  the  rights  of 
their  country;  and  they  did  covenant,  one  with  another,  to 
destroy  the  governor,  and  to  establish  a  king  over  the  land, 
that  the  land  should  no  more  be  at  liberty,  but  should  be 
subject  unto  kings. 

36  Now  behold,  I  will  shew  unto  you  that  they  did  not 
establish  a  king  over  the  land;  but  in  this  same  year,  yea, 
the  thirtieth  year,  they  did  destroy  upon  the  judgment  seat, 
yea,  did  murder  the  chief  judge  of  the  land. 

37  And  the  people  were  divided  one  against  another;  and 
they  did  separate  one  from  another,  into  tribes,  every  man 
according  to  his  family,  and  his  kindred  and  friends;  and 
thus  they  did  destroy  the  government  of  the  land. 

38  And  every  tribe  did  appoint  a  chief,  or  a  leader  over 
them;  and  thus  they  became  tribes,  and  leaders  of  tribes. 

39  Now  behold,  there  was  no  man  among  them,  save  he  had 
much  family  and  many  kindreds  and  friends;  therefore  their 
tribes  became  exceeding  great. 

40  Now  all  this  was  done  and  there  were  no  wars  as  yet 
among  them:  and  all  this  iniquity  had  come  upon  the  peor»]e, 
because  they  did  yield  themselves  unto  the  power  of  Satan ; 

41  And  the  regulations  of  the  government  were  destroyed, 


CHAP.  3.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  621 

because  of  the  secret  combination  of  the  friends  and  kindreds 
of  those  who  murdered  the  prophets. 

42  And  they  did  cause  a  great  contention  in  the  land,  inso- 
much that  the  more  righteous  part  of  the  people,  although 
they  had  nearly  all  become  wicked;  yea,  there  were  but  few 
righteous  men  among  them. 

43  And  thus  six  years  had  not  passed  away,  since  the  more 
part  of  the  people  had  turned  from  their  righteousness,  like 
the  dog  to  his  vomit,  or  like  the  sow  to  her  wallowing  in  the 
mire. 

44  Now  this  secret  combination  which  had  brought  so  great 
iniquity  upon  the  people,  did  gather  themselves  together,  and 
did  place  at  their  head  a  man  whom  they  did  call  Jacob;  and 
they  did  call  him  their  king; 

45  Therefore  he  became  a  king  over  this  wicked  band;  and 
he  was  one  of  the  chiefest  who  had  given  his  voice  against 
the  prophets  who  testified  of  .Jesus. 

46  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  were  not  so  strong  in 
number  as  the  tribes  of  the  people  who  were  united  together, 
save  it  were  their  leaders  did  establish  their  laws,  every  one 
according  to  his  tribe; 

47  Nevertheless  they  were  enemies,  notwithstanding  they 
were  not  a  righteous  people;  yet  they  were  united  in  the 
hatred  of  those  who  had  entered  into  a  covenant  to  destroy 
the  government; 

48  Therefore  Jacob  seeing  that  their  enemies  were  more 
numerous  than  they,  he  being  the  king  of  the  band,  there- 
fore he  commanded  his  people  that  they  should  take  their 
flight  into  the  northernmost  part  of  the  land, 

49  And  there  build  up  unto  themselves  a  kingdom,  until 
they  were  joined  by  dissenters,  (for  he  flattered  them  that 
there  would  be  many  dissenters,)  and  they  become  sufficiently 
strong  to  contend  with  the  tribes  of  the  people. 

50  And  they  did  so;  and  so  speedy  was  their  march,  that  it 
could  not  be  impeded,  until  they  had  gone  forth  out  of  the 
reach  of  the  people. 

51  And  thus  ended  the  thirtieth  year;  and  thus  were  the 
affairs  of  the  people  of  Nephi. 


622  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  3. 

52  lIAnd  it  came  to  pass  in  the  thirty  and  first  year,  that 
they  were  divided  into  tribes,  every  man  according  to  his 
family,  kindred  and  friends; 

53  Nevertheless  they  had  come  to  an  agreement  that  they 
would  not  go  to  war  one  with  another;  but  they  were  not 
united  as  to  their  laws,  and  their  manner  of  government,  for 
they  were  established  according  to  the  minds  of  those  who 
were  their  chiefs  and  their  leaders. 

54  But  they  did  establish  very  strict  laws  that  one  tribe 
should  not  trespass  against  another,  insomuch  that  in  some 
degree  they  had  peace  in  the  land; 

55  Nevertheless,  their  hearts  were  turned  from  the  Lord 
their  God,  and  they  did  stone  the  prophets,  and  did  cast  them 
out  from  among  them. 

56  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Nephi,  having  been  visited  by 
angels,  and  also  by  the  voice  of  the  Lord,  therefore  having 
seen  angels,  and  being  eye  witness,  and  having  had  power 
given  unto  him  that  he  might  know  concerning  the  ministry 
of  Christ,  and  also  being  eye  witness  to  their  quick  return 
from  righteousness  unto  their  wickedness  and  abominations; 

57  Therefore,  being  grieved  for  the  hardness  of  their 
hearts,  and  the  blindness  of  their  minds,  went  forth  among 
them  in  that  same  year,  and  began  to  testify  boldly,  repent- 
ance and  remission  of  sins  through  faith  on  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ. 

58  And  he  did  minister  many  things  unto  them;  and  all  of 
tnem  can  not  be  written,  and  a  part  of  them  would  not  suf- 
fice: therefore  they  are  not  written  in  this  book.  And  Nephi 
did  minister  with  power  and  with  great  authority. 

59  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  were  angry  with  him, 
even  because  he  had  greater  power  than  they,  for  it  were  not 
possible  that  they  could  disbelieve  his  words,  for  so  great  was 
his  faith  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  angels  did  minister 
unto  him  daily; 

60  And  in  the  name  of  Jesus  did  he  cast  out  devils  and 
unclean  spirits;  and  even  his  brother  did  he  raise  from  the 
dead,  after  he  had  been  stoned  and  suffered  death  by  the 
people ; 


CHAP.  4.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  623 

61  And  the  people  saw  it,  and  did  witness  of  it,  and  were 
angry  with  him,  because  of  his  power;  and  he  did  also  do 
many  more  miracles,  in  the  sight  of  the  people,  in  the  name 
of  Jesus. 

62  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  thirty  and  first  year  did 
pass  away,  and  there  were  but  few  who  were  converted  unto 
the  Lord; 

63  But  as  many  as  were  converted,  did  truly  signify  unto 
the  people  that  they  had  been  visited  by  the  power  and  Spirit 
of  God,  which  was  in  Jesus  Christ,  in  whom  they  believed. 

64  And  as  many  as  had  devils  cast  out  from  them,  and  were 
heaied  of  their  sicknesses  and  their  infirmities,  did  truly  mani- 
fest unto  the  people  that  they  had  been  wrought  upon  by  the 
Spirit  of  God,  and  had  been  healed; 

65  And  they  did  shew  forth  signs  also,  and  did  do  some 
miracles  among  the  people. 

66  ^Thus  passed  away  the  thirty  and  second  year  also. 

67  And  Nephi  did  cry  unto  the  people  in  the  commence- 
ment of  the  thirty  and  third  year;  and  he  did  preach  unto 
them  repentance  and  remission  of  sins. 

68  Now  I  would  have  you  to  remember  also,  that  there  were 
none  who  were  brought  unto  repentance,  who  were  not  bap- 
tized with  water; 

69  Therefore  there  were  ordained  of  Nephi,  men  unto  this 
ministry,  that  all  such  as  should  come  unto  them,  should  be 
baptized  with  water,  and  this  as  a  witness  and  a  testimony 
before  God,  and  unto  the  people,  that  they  had  repented  and 
received  a  remission  of  their  sins. 

70  And  there  were  many  in  the  commencement  of  this  year, 
that  were  baptized  unto  repentance:  and  thus  the  more  part 
of  the  year  did  pass  away. 


CHAPTER  4. 

1  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  according  to  our  record, 
and  we  know  our  record  to  be  true,  for  behold,  it  was  a  just 
man  who  did  keep  the  record;  for  he  truly  did  many  miracles 
in  the  name  of  Jesus; 


624  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  4. 

2  And  there  was  not  any  man  who  could  do  a  miracle  in 
the  name  of  Jesus,  save  he  were  cleansed  every  whit  from 
his  iniquity. 

3  And  now  it  came  to  pass,  if  there  was  no  mistake  made 
by  this  man  in  the  reckoning  of  our  time,  the  thirty  and 
third  year  had  passed  away,  and  the  people  began  to  look 
with  great  earnestness  for  the  sign  which  had  been  given  by 
the  prophet  Samuel,  the  Lamanite; 

4  Yea,  for  the  time  that  there  should  be  darkness  for  the 
space  of  three  days,  over  the  face  of  the  land. 

5  And  there  began  to  be  great  doubtings  and  disputations 
among  the  people,  notwithstanding  so  many  signs  had  been 
given. 

6  ^And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  thirty  and  fourth  year,  in 
the  first  month,  in  the  fourth  day  of  the  month,  there  arose 
a  great  storm,  such  an  one  as  never  had  been  known  in  all 
the  land; 

7  And  there  was  also  a  great  and  terrible  tempest;  and 
there  was  terrible  thunder,  insomuch  that  it  did  shake  the 
whole  earth  as  if  it  was  about  to  divide  asunder;  and  there 
were  exceeding  sharp  lightnings,  such  as  never  had  been 
known  in  all  the  land. 

8  And  the  city  of  Zarahemla  did  take  fire;  and  the  city  of 
Moroni  did  sink  into  the  depths  of  the  sea,  and  the  inhabit- 
ants thereof  were  drowned; 

9  And  the  earth  was  carried  up  upon  the  city  of  Moroni- 
hah,  that  in  the  place  of  the  city  thereof,  there  became  a  great 
mountain;  and  there  was  a  great  and  terrible  destruction  in 
the  land  southward. 

10  But  behold,  there  was  a  more  great  and  terrible  destruc- 
tion in  the  land  northward:  for  behold,  the  whole  face  of  the 
land  was  changed,  because  of  the  tempests,  and  the  whirl- 
winds, and  the  thunderings,  and  the  lightnings,  and  the  ex- 
ceeding great  quaking  of  the  whole  earth; 

11  And  the  highways  were  broken  up,  and  the  level  roads 
were  spoiled,  and  many  smooth  places  became  rough,  and 
many  great  and  notable  cities  were  sunk,  and  many  were 
burned,  and  many  were  shook  till  the  buildings  thereof  had 


CHAP.  4.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  625 

fallen  to  the  earth,  and  the  inhabitants  thereof  were  slain, 
and  the  places  were  left  desolate; 

12  And  there  were  some  cities  which  remained;  but  the 
damage  thereof  was  exceeding  great,  and  there  were  many 
in  them  who  were  slain; 

13  And  there  were  some  who  were  carried  away  in  the 
whirlwind;  and  whither  they  went,  no  man  knoweth,  save 
they  know  that  they  were  carried  away; 

14  And  thus  the  face  of  the  whole  earth  became  deformed, 
because  of  the  tempests,  and  the  thunderings,  and  the  light- 
nings, and  the  quaking  of  the  earth. 

15  And  behold,  the  rocks  were  rent  in  twain;  yea,  they 
were  broken  up  upon  the  face  of  the  whole  earth,  insomuch 
that  they  were  found  in  broken  fragments,  and  in  seams,  and 
in  cracks,  upon  all  the  face  of  the  land. 

16  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  the  thunderings,  and 
the  lightnings,  and  the  storm,  and  the  tempest,  and  the  quak- 
ings  of  the  earth  did  cease — for  behold,  they  did  last  for  about 
the  space  of  three  hours;  and  it  was  said  by  some  that  the 
time  was  greater; 

17  Nevertheless,  all  these  great  and  terrible  things  were 
done  in  about  the  space  of  three  hours ;  and  then  behold,  there 
was  darkness  upon  the  face  of  the  land. 

18  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  there  was  thick  darkness  upon 
all  the  face  of  the  land,  insomuch  that  the  inhabitants  thereof 
who  had  not  fallen,  could  feel  the  vapor  of  darkness; 

19  And  there  could  be  no  light,  because  of  the  darkness; 
neither  candles,  neither  torches;  neither  could  there  be  fire 
kindled  with  their  fine  and  exceeding  dry  wood,  so  that  there 
could  not  be  any  light  at  all ; 

20  And  there  was  not  any  light  seen,  neither  fire,  nor  glim- 
mer, neither  the  sun,  nor  the  moon,  nor  the  stars,  for  so  great 
were  the  mists  of  darkness  which  were  upon  the  face  of  the 
land, 

21  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  it  did  last  for  the  space  of 
three  days,  that  there  was  no  light  seen ;  and  there  was  great 
mourning,  and  howling,  and  weeping  among  all  the  people 
continually; 


626  BOOK    OF    NEFHI.  [chap.  4. 

22  Yea,  great  were  the  groanings  of  the  people,  because  of 
the  darkness  and  the  great  destruction  which  had  come  upon 
them. 

23  And  in  one  place  they  were  heard  to  cry,  saying,  0  that 
we  had  repented  before  this  great  and  terrible  day,  and  then 
would  our  brethren  have  been  spared,  and  they  would  not 
have  been  burned  in  that  great  city  Zarahemla. 

24  And  in  another  place  they  were  heard  to  cry  and  mourn, 
saying,  O  that  we  had  repented  before  this  great  and  terrible 
day,  and  had  not  killed  and  stoned  the  prophets,  and  cast 
them  out; 

25  Then  would  our  mothers,  and  our  fair  daughters,  and 
our  children  have  been  spared,  and  not  have  been  buried  up 
in  that  great  city  Moronihah;  and  thus  were  the  bowlings  of 
the  people  great  and  terrible. 

26  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  there  was  a  voice  heard 
among  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  upon  all  the  face  of 
this  land,  crying,  Wo,  wo,  wo  unto  this  people;  wo  unto  the 
inhabitants  of  the  whole  earth,  except  they  shall  repent, 

27  For  the  devil  laugheth,  and  his  angels  rejoice,  because 
of  the  slain  of  the  fair  sons  and  daughters  of  my  people;  and 
it  is  because  of  their  iniquity  and  abominations  that  they  are 
fallen. 

28  Behold,  that  great  city  Zarahemla  have  I  burned  with 
fire,  and  the  inhabitants  thereof. 

29  And  behold,  that  great  city  Moroni  have  I  caused  to  be 
sunk  in  the  depths  of  the  sea,  and  the  inhabitants  thereof  to 
be  drowned. 

30  And  behold,  that  great  city  Moronihah  have  I  covered 
with  earth,  and  the  inhabitants  thereof,  to  hide  their  iniqui- 
ties and  their  abominations  from  before  my  face,  that  the 
blood  of  the  prophets  and  of  the  saints  shall  not  come  up  any 
more  unto  me  against  them. 

31  And  behold,  the  city  of  Gilgal  have  I  caused  to  be  sunk, 
and  the  inhabitants  thereof  to  be  buried  up  in  the  depths  of 
the  earth; 

32  Yea,  and  the  city  of  Onihah,  and  the  inhabitants  thereof, 
and  the  city  of  Mocum,  and  the  inhabitants  thereof,  and  the 


CHAP.  4.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  627 

city  of  Jerusalem,  and  the  inhabitants  thereof,  and  waters 
have  I  caused  to  come  up  in  the  stead  thereof, 

33  To  hide  their  wickedness  and  abominations  from  be- 
fore my  face,  that  the  blood  of  the  prophets  and  the  saints 
shall  not  come  up  any  more  unto  me  against  them. 

34  And  behold,  the  city  of  Gadiandi,  and  the  city  of  Gadi- 
omnah,  and  the  city  of  Jacob,  and  the  city  Gimgimno,  all 
these  have  I  caused  to  be  sunk,  and  made  hills  and  valleys  in 
the  places  thereof, 

35  And  the  inhabitants  thereof  have  I  buried  up  in  the 
depths  of  the  earth,  to  hide  their  wickedness  and  abomina- 
tions from  before  my  face,  that  the  blood  of  the  prophets  and 
the  saints  should  not  come  up  any  more  unto  me  against  them. 

36  And  behold,  that  great  city  Jacobugath,  which  was  in- 
habited by  the  people  of  the  king  of  Jacob,  have  I  caused  to 
be  burned  with  fire,  because  of  their  sins  and  their  wickedness, 
which  was  above  all  the  wickedness  of  the  whole  earth,  be- 
cause of  their  secret  murders  and  combinations; 

37  For  it  was  they  that  did  destroy  the  peace  of  my  people 
and  the  government  of  the  land:  therefore  I  did  cause  them 
to  be  burned,  to  destroy  them  from  before  my  face,  that  the 
blood  of  the  prophets  and  the  saints  should  not  come  up  unto 
me  any  more  against  them. 

38  And  behold,  the  city  of  Laman,  and  the  city  of  Josh, 
and  the  city  of  Gad,  and  the  city  of  Kishkumen,  have  I  caused 
to  be  burned  with  fire,  and  the  inhabitants  thereof,  because 
of  their  wickedness  in  casting  out  the  prophets,  and  stoning 
those  whom  I  did  send  to  declare  unto  them  concerning  their 
wickedness  and  their  abominations; 

39  And  because  they  did  cast  them  all  out,  that  there  were 
none  righteous  among  them,  I  did  send  down  fire  and  destroy 
them,  that  their  wickedness  and  abominations  might  be  hid 
from  before  my  face,  that  the  blood  of  the  prophets  and  the 
saints  whom  I  sent  among  them,  might  not  cry  unto  me  from 
the  ground  against  them; 

40  And  many  great  destructions  have  I  caused  to  come 
upon  this  land,  and  upon  this  people,  because  of  their  wicked- 
ness and  their  abominations. 


628  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  4. 

41  lyO  all  ye  that  are  spared,  because  ye  were  more  right- 
eous than  they,  will  ye  not  now  return  unto  me,  and  repent 
of  your  sins,  and  be  converted,  that  I  may  heal  you? 

42  Yea,  verily  I  say  unto  you.  If  ye  will  come  unto  me,  ye 
shall  have  eternal  life. 

43  Behold,  mine  arm  of  mercy  is  extended  towards  you,  and 
whosoever  will  come,  him  will  I  receive;  and  blessed  are  those 
who  come  unto  me. 

44  Behold  I  am  Jesus  Christ,  the  Son  of  God.  I  created  the 
heavens  and  the  earth,  and  all  things  that  in  them  are. 

45  I  was  with  the  Father  from  the  beginning.  I  am  in  the 
Father,  and  the  Father  in  me;  and  in  me  hath  the  Father 
glorified  his  name. 

46  I  came  unto  my  own,  and  my  own  received  me  not.  And 
the  scriptures,  concerning  my  coming,  are  fulfilled. 

47  And  as  many  as  have  received  me,  to  them  have  I  given 
to  become  the  sons  of  God;  and  even  so  will  I  to  as  many  as 
shall  believe  on  my  name,  for  behold,  by  me  redemption  com- 
eth,  and  in  me  is  the  law  of  Moses  fulfilled. 

48  I  am  the  light  and  the  life  of  the  world.  I  am  Alpha 
and  Omega,  the  beginning  and  the  end. 

49  And  ye  shall  offer  up  unto  me  no  more  the  shedding  of 
blood;  yea,  your  sacrifices  and  your  burnt  offerings  shall  be 
done  away,  for  I  will  accept  none  of  your  sacrifices  and  your 
burnt  offerings;  and  ye  shall  offer  for  a  sacrifice  unto  me  a 
broken  heart  and  a  contrite  spirit. 

50  And  whoso  cometh  unto  me  with  a  broken  heart  and  a 
contrite  spirit,  him  will  I  baptize  with  fire  and  with  the  Holy 
Ghost,  even  as  the  Lamanites,  because  of  their  faith  in  me, 
at  the  time  of  their  conversion,  were  baptized  with  fire  and 
with  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  they  knew  it  not. 

51  Behold,  I  have  come  unto  the  world  to  bring  redemp- 
tion unto  the  world,  to  save  the  world  from  sin:  therefore 
whoso  repenteth  and  cometh  unto  me  as  a  little  child,  him  will 
I  receive;  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  God. 

52  Behold,  for  such  I  have  laid  down  my  life,  and  have 
taken  it  up  again ;  therefore  repent,  and  come  unto  me  ye  ends 
of  the  earth,  and  be  saved. 


CHAP.  4.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  629 

53  IJAnd  now  behold,  it  came  to  pass  that  all  the  people  of 
the  land  did  hear  these  sayings;  and  did  witness  of  it. 

54  And  after  these  sayings  there  was  silence  in  the  land 
for  the  space  of  many  hours;  for  so  great  was  the  astonish- 
ment of  the  people  that  they  did  cease  lamenting  and  howl- 
ing for  the  loss  of  their  kindred  which  had  been  slain;  there- 
fore there  was  silence  in  all  the  land  for  the  space  of  many 
hours. 

55  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  there  came  a  voice  again  unto 
the  people,  and  all  the  people  did  hear,  and  did  witness  of  it, 
saying,  0  ye  people  of  these  great  cities  which  have  fallen, 
who  are  descendants  of  Jacob;  yea,  who  are  of  the  house  of 
Israel,  0,  ye  people  of  the  house  of  Israel,  how  oft  have  I 
gathered  you  as  a  hen  gathereth  her  chickens  under  her 
wings,  and  have  nourished  you. 

56  And  again,  how  oft  would  I  have  gathered  you,  as  a  hen 
gathereth  her  chickens  under  her  wings;  yea,  O  ye  people  of 
the  house  of  Israel,  who  have  fallen; 

57  Yea,  O  ye  people  of  the  house  of  Israel;  ye  that  dwell 
at  Jerusalem,  as  ye  that  have  fallen;  yea,  how  oft  would  I 
have  gathered  you  as  a  hen  gathereth  her  chickens,  and  ye 
would  not. 

58  O  ye  house  of  Israel,  whom  I  have  spared,  how  oft  will 
I  gather  you  as  a  hen  gathereth  her  chickens  under  her  wings, 
if  ye  will  repent  and  return  unto  me  with  full  purpose  of 
heart. 

59  But  if  not,  O  house  of  Israel,  the  places  of  your  dwell- 
ings shall  become  desolate,  until  the  time  of  the  fulfilling  of 
the  covenant  to  your  fathers. 

60  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  after  the  people  had 
heard  these  words,  behold  they  began  to  weep  and  howl  again, 
because  of  the  loss  of  their  kindred  and  friends. 

61  And  it  came  to  pass  that  thus  did  the  three  days  pass 
away. 

62  And  it  was  in  the  morning,  and  the  darkness  dispersed 
from  off  the  face  of  the  land,  and  the  earth  did  cease  to  trem- 
ble, and  the  rocks  did  cease  to  rend,  and  the  dreadful  groan- 
ings  did  cease,  and  all  the  tumultuous  noises  did  pass  away, 


630  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  4. 

63  And  the  earth  did  cleave  together  again,  that  it  stood, 
and  the  mourning  and  the  weeping,  and  the  wailing  of  the 
people  who  were  spared  alive,  did  cease; 

64  And  their  mourning  was  turned  into  joy,  and  their  lam- 
entations into  the  praise  and  thanksgiving  unto  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  their  Redeemer. 

65  And  thus  far  were  the  scriptures  fulfilled,  which  had 
been  spoken  by  the  prophets. 

60  And  it  was  the  more  righteous  part  of  the  people  who 
were  saved,  and  it  was  they  who  received  the  prophets,  and 
stoned  them  not;  and  it  was  they  who  had  not  shed  the  blood 
of  the  saints,  who  were  spared; 

67  And  they  were  spared,  and  were  not  sunk  and  buried  up 
in  the  earth;  and  they  were  not  drowned  in  the  depths  of  the 
sea;  and  they  were  not  burned  by  fire,  neither  were  they 
fallen  upon  and  crushed  to  death; 

68  And  they  were  not  carried  away  in  the  whirlwind; 
neither  were  they  overpowered  by  the  vapor  of  smoke  and  of 
darkness. 

69  And  now  whoso  readeth,  let  him  understand;  he  that 
hath  the  scriptures,  let  him  search  them,  and  see  and  behold 
if  all  these  deaths  and  destructions  by  fire,  and  by  smoke,  and 
by  tempests,  and  by  whirlwinds,  and  by  the  opening  of  the 
earth  to  receive  them,  and  all  these  things,  are  not  unto  the 
fulfilling  of  the  prophecies  of  many  of  the  holy  prophets. 

70  Behold,  I  say  unto  you.  Yea,  many  have  testified  of  these 
things  at  the  coming  of  Christ,  and  were  slain  because  they 
testified  of  these  things; 

71  Yea,  the  prophet  Zenos  did  testify  of  these  things,  and 
also  Zenock  spake  concerning  these  things,  because  they  tes- 
tified particular  concerning  us,  who  are  the  remnant  of  their 
seed. 

72  Behold  our  father  Jacob  also  testified  concerning  a  rem- 
nant of  the  seed  of  Joseph.  And  behold,  are  not  we  a  rem- 
nant of  the  seed  of  Joseph? 

73  And  these  things  which  testify  of  us,  are  they  not  writ- 
ten upon  the  plates  of  brass  which  our  father  Lehi  brought 
out  of  Jerusalem? 


CHAP.  5.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  631 

74  And  it  came  to  pass  that  in  the  ending  of  the  thirty 
and  fourth  year,  behold  I  will  shew  unto  you  that  the  people 
of  Nephi  who  were  spared,  and  also  those  who  had  been  called 
Lamanites,  who  had  been  spared,  did  have  great  favors  shewn 
unto  them,  and  great  blessings  poured  out  upon  their  heads, 
insomuch  that  soon  after  the  ascension  of  Christ  into  heaven, 
he  did  truly  manifest  himself  unto  them,  shewing  his  body 
unto  them,  and  ministering  unto  them; 

75  And  an  account  of  his  ministry  shall  be  given  hereafter. 
Therefore  for  this  time  I  make  an  end  of  my  sayings. 


CHAPTER  5. 
Jesus  Christ  sheweth  himself  unto  the  people  of  Nephi,  as  the 
multitude  were  gathered  together  in  the  land  Bountiful,  and 
did  minister  unto  thein;  and  on  this  wise  did  he  shew  him- 
self unto  them. 

1  TlAnd  now  it  came  to  pass  that  there  were  a  great  multi- 
tude gathered  together,  of  the  people  of  Nephi,  round  about 
the  temple  which  was  in  the  land  Bountiful; 

2  And  they  were  marveling  and  wondering  one  with  an- 
other, and  were  shewing  one  to  another  the  great  and  mar- 
velous change  which  had  taken  place; 

3  And  they  were  also  conversing  about  this  Jesus  Christ, 
of  whom  the  sign  had  been  given,  concerning  his  death. 

4  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  while  they  were  thus  convers- 
ing one  with  another,  they  heard  a  voice,  as  if  it  came  out  of 
heaven;  and  they  cast  their  eyes  round  about,  for  they  under- 
stood not  the  voice  which  they  heard; 

5  And  it  was  not  a  harsh  voice,  neither  was  it  a  loud  voice, 
neverthless,  and  notwithstanding  it  being  a  small  voice,  it 
did  pierce  them  that  did  hear,  to  the  center,  insomuch  that 
there  was  no  part  of  their  frame  that  it  did  not  cause  to 
quake;  yea,  it  did  pierce  them  to  the  very  soul,  and  did  cause 
their  hearts  to  burn. 

6  And  it  came  to  pass  that  again  they  heard  the  voice,  and 
they  understood  it  not;  and  again  the  third  time  they  did 
hear  the  voice,  and  did  open  their  ears  to  hear  it; 


632  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.   5. 

7  And  their  eyes  were  ix)wards  the  sound  thereof;  and  they 
did  look  steadfastly  towards  heaven,  from  whence  the  sound 
came;  and  behold,  the  third  time  they  did  understand  the 
voice  which  they  heard; 

8  And  it  said  unto  them,  Behold,  my  beloved  Son,  in  whom 
I  am  well  pleased,  in  whom  I  have  glorified  my  name,  hear  ye 
him. 

9  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  as  they  understood,  they  cast  their 
eyes  up  again  towards  heaven;  and  behold,  they  saw  a  man 
descending  out  of  heaven; 

10  And  he  was  clothed  in  a  white  robe,  and  he  came  down 
and  stood  in  the  midst  of  them,  and  the  eyes  of  the  whole 
multitude  were  turned  upon  him,  and  they  durst  not  open 
their  mouths,  even  one  to  another,  and  wist  not  what  it  meant, 
for  they  thought  it  was  an  angel  that  had  appeared  unto 
them. 

11  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  stretched  forth  his  hand, 
and  spake  unto  the  people,  saying.  Behold  I  am  Jesus  Christ, 
of  whom  the  prophets  testified  should  come  into  the  world : 

12  And  behold  I  am  the  light  and  the  life  of  the  world, 
and  I  have  drunk  out  of  that  bitter  cup  which  the  Father  hath 
given  me,  and  have  glorified  the  Father  in  taking  upon  me  the 
sins  of  the  world,  in  the  which  I  have  suffered  the  will  of  the 
Father  in  all  things,  from  the  beginning. 

13  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Jesus  had  spoken  these 
words,  the  whole  multitude  fell  to  the  earth,  for  they  remem- 
bered that  it  had  been  prophesied  among  them  that  Christ 
should  shew  himself  unto  them  after  his  ascension  into 
heaven. 

14  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  spake  unto  them, 
saying.  Arise  and  come  forth  unto  me,  that  ye  may  thrust 
your  hands  into  my  side,  and  also  that  ye  may  feel  the  prints 
of  the  nails  in  my  hands,  and  in  my  feet,  that  ye  may  know 
that  I  am  the  God  of  Israel,  and  the  God  of  the  whole  earth, 
and  have  been  slain  for  the  sins  of  the  world. 

15  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  multitude  went  forth,  and 
thrust  their  hands  into  his  side,  and  did  feel  the  prints  of  the 
nails  in  his  hands  and  in  his  feet; 


CHAP.   5.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  633 

16  And  this  they  did  do,  going  forth  one  by  one,  until  they 
had  all  gone  forth,  and  did  see  with  their  eyes,  and  did  feel 
with  their  hands,  and  did  know  of  a  surety,  and  did  bear 
record,  that  it  was  he,  of  whom  it  was  written  by  the  prophets, 
should  come. 

17  ^And  when  they  had  all  gone  forth,  and  had  witnessed 
for  themselves,  they  did  cry  out  with  one  accord,  saying,  Ho- 
sanna!  Blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Most  High  God!  And  they 
did  fall  down  at  the  feet  of  Jesus,  and  did  worship  him. 

18  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  spake  unto  Nephi,  (for 
Nephi  was  among  the  multitude,)  and  he  commanded  him 
that  he  should  come  forth. 

19  And  Nephi  arose  and  went  forth,  and  bowed  himself  be- 
fore the  Lord,  and  he  did  kiss  his  feet. 

20  And  the  Lord  commanded  him  that  he  should  arise. 
And  he  arose  and  stood  before  him. 

21  And  the  Lord  said  unto  him,  I  give  unto  you  power  that 
ye  shall  baptize  this  people,  when  I  am  again  ascended  into 
heaven. 

22  And  again  the  Lord  called  others,  and  said  unto  them 
likewise;  and  he  gave  unto  them  power  to  baptize. 

23  And  he  said  unto  them,  On  this  wise  shall  ye  baptize; 
and  there  shall  be  no  disputations  among  you. 

24  Verily  I  say  unto  you,  that  whoso  repenteth  of  his  sins 
through  your  words,  and  desireth  to  be  baptized  in  my  name, 
on  this  wise  shall  ye  baptize  them:  Behold,  ye  shall  go  down 
and  stand  in  the  water,  and  in  my  name  shall  ye  baptize  them. 

25  And  now  behold,  these  are  the  words  which  ye  shall  say, 
calling  them  by  name,  saying:  Having  authority  given  me  of 
Jesus  Christ,  I  baptize  you  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and 
of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.     Amen. 

26  And  then  shall  ye  immerse  them  in  the  water,  and  come 
forth  again  out  of  the  water. 

27  And  after  this  manner  shall  ye  baptize  in  my  name,  for 
behold,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  that  the  Father,  and  the  Son, 
and  the  Holy  Ghost  are  one;  and  I  am  in  the  Father,  and  the 
Father  in  me,  and  the  Father  and  I  are  one. 


634  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.   5. 

28  And  according  as  I  have  commanded  you,  thus  shall  ye 
baptize. 

29  And  there  shall  be  no  disputations  among  you,  as  there 
hath  hitherto  been;  neither  shall  there  be  disputations  among 
you  concerning  the  points  of  my  doctrine,  as  there  hath  hith- 
erto been; 

30  For  verily,  verily  I  say  unto  you.  He  that  hath  the  spirit 
of  contention,  is  not  of  me,  but  is  of  the  devil,  who  is  the 
father  of  contention,  and  he  stirreth  up  the  hearts  of  men  to 
contend  with  anger  one  with  another; 

31  Behold,  this  is  not  my  doctrine,  to  stir  up  the  hearts  of 
men  with  anger  one  against  another;  but  this  is  my  doctrine, 
that  such  things  should  be  done  away. 

32  Behold,  verily,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  I  will  declare  unto 
you  my  doctrine.  And  this  is  my  doctrine,  and  it  is  the  doc- 
trine which  the  Father  hath  given  unto  me; 

33  And  I  bear  record  of  the  Father,  and  the  Father  bear- 
eth  record  of  me,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  beareth  record  of  the 
Father  and  me,  and  I  bear  record  that  the  Father  command- 
eth  all  men,  everywhere,  to  repent  and  believe  in  me; 

34  And  whoso  believeth  in  me,  and  is  baptized,  the  same 
shall  be  saved;  and  they  are  they  who  shall  inherit  the  king- 
dom of  God. 

35  And  whoso  believeth  not  in  me,  and  is  not  baptized,  shall 
be  damned. 

36  Verily,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  that  this  is  my  doctrine; 
and  I  bear  record  of  it  from  the  Father;  and  whoso  believeth 
in  me,  believeth  in  the  Father  also; 

37  And  unto  him  will  the  Father  bear  record  of  me;  for 
he  will  visit  him  with  fire  and  with  the  Holy  Ghost; 

38  And  thus  will  the  Father  bear  record  of  me;  and  the 
Holy  Ghost  will  bear  record  unto  him  of  the  Father  and  me; 
for  the  Father,  and  I,  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  are  one. 

39  And  again  I  say  unto  you.  Ye  must  repent,  and  become 
as  a  little  child,  and  be  baptized  in  my  name,  or  ye  can  in 
no  wise  receive  these  things. 

40  And  again  I  say  unto  you.  Ye  must  repent,  and  be  bap- 


CHAP.   5.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  635 

tized  in  my  name,  and  become  as  a  little  child,  or  ye  can  in 
nowise  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God. 

41  Verily,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  that  this  is  my  doctrine; 
and  whoso  buildeth  upon  this,  buildeth  upon  my  rock;  and  the 
gates  of  hell  shall  not  prevail  against  them. 

42  And  whoso  shall  declare  more  or  less  than  this,  and 
establish  it  for  my  doctrine,  the  same  cometh  of  evil,  and  is 
not  built  upon  my  rock,  but  he  buildeth  upon  a  sandy  founda- 
tion, and  the  gates  of  hell  standeth  open  to  receive  such,  when 
the  floods  come,  and  the  winds  beat  upon  them. 

43  Therefore  go  forth  unto  this  people,  and  declare  the 
words  which  I  have  spoken,  unto  the  ends  of  the  earth. 

44  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Jesus  had  spoken  these 
words  unto  Nephi,  and  to  those  who  had  been  called,  (now 
the  number  of  them  who  had  been  called  and  received  power 
and  authority  to  baptize,  were  twelve,) 

45  And  behold  he  stretched  forth  his  hand  unto  the  multi- 
tude, and  cried  unto  them,  saying.  Blessed  are  ye  if  ye  shall 
give  heed  unto  the  words  of  these  twelve  whom  I  have  chosen 
from  among  you  to  minister  unto  you,  and  to  be  your  serv- 
ants; 

46  And  unto  them  I  have  given  power,  that  they  may  bap- 
tize you  with  water,  and  after  that  ye  are  baptized  with  water, 
behold  I  will  baptize  you  with  fire  and  with  the  Holy  Ghost; 

47  Therefore  Dlessed  are  ye,  if  ye  shall  believe  in  me,  and 
be  baptized,  after  that  ye  have  seen  me,  and  know  that  I  am. 

48  And  again,  more  blessed  are  they  who  shall  believe  in 
your  words,  because  that  ye  shall  testify  that  ye  have  seen 
me,  and  that  ye  know  that  I  am. 

49  Yea,  blessed  are  they  who  shall  believe  in  your  words, 
and  come  down  into  the  depths  of  humility,  and  be  baptized; 
for  they  shall  be  visited  with  fire  and  with  the  Holy  Ghost, 
and  shall  receive  a  remission  of  their  sins. 

50  Yea,  blessed  are  the  poor  in  spirit  who  come  unto  me, 
for  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

51  And  again,  blessed  are  all  they  that  mourn,  for  they 
shall  be  comforted; 


636  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.   5. 

52  And  blessed  are  the  meek,  for  they  shall  inherit  the 
earth. 

53  And  blessed  are  all  they  who  do  hunger  and  thirst  after 
righteousness,  for  they  shall  be  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost. 

.     54  And   blessed   are   the   merciful,   for   they   shall   obtain 
mercy. 

55  And  blessed  are  all  the  pure  in  heart,  for  they  shall  see 
God. 

56  And  blessed  are  all  the  peacemakers,  for  they  shall  be 
called  the  children  of  God. 

57  And  blessed  are  all  they  who  are  persecuted  for  my 
name's  sake,  for  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

58  And  blessed  are  ye  when  men  shall  revile  you,  and  per- 
secute, and  shall  say  all  manner  of  evil  against  you  falsely, 
for  my  sake, 

59  For  ye  shall  have  great  joy  and  be  exceeding  glad,  for 
great  shall  be  your  reward  in  heaven;  for  so  persecuted  they 
the  prophets  who  were  before  you. 

60  Verily,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  I  give  unto  you  to  be  the 
salt  of  the  earth;  but  if  the  salt  shall  lose  its  savor,  where- 
with shall  the  earth  be  salted?  The  salt  shall  be  thenceforth 
good  for  nothing,  but  to  be  cast  out,  and  to  be  trodden  under 
foot  of  men. 

61  Verily,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  I  give  unto  you  to  be  the 
light  of  this  people.    A  city  that  is  set  on  a  hill  can  not  be  hid. 

62  Behold,  do  men  light  a  candle  and  put  it  under  a  bushel? 
Nay,  but  on  a  candlestick,  and  it  giveth  light  to  all  that  are 
in  the  house; 

63  Therefore  let  your  light  so  shine  before  this  people,  that 
they  may  see  your  good  works  and  glorify  your  Father  who 
is  in  heaven. 

64  Think  not  that  I  am  come  to  destroy  the  law  or  the 
prophets.     I  am  not  come  to  destroy  but  to  fulfill; 

65  For  verily  I  say  unto  you.  One  jot  nor  one  tittle  hath 
not  passed  away  from  the  law,  but  in  me  it  hath  all  been  ful- 
filled. 

66  ^And  behold  I  have  given  you  the  law  and  the  command- 
ments of  my  Father,  that  ye  shall  believe  in  me,  and  that  ye 


CHAP.   5.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  637 

shall  repent  of  your  sins,  and  come  unto  me  with  a  broken 
heart  and  a  contrite  spirit. 

67  Behold,  ye  have  the  commandments  before  you,  and  the 
law  is  fulfilled;  therefore  come  unto  me  and  be  ye  saved; 

68  For  verily  I  say  unto  you,  that  except  ye  shall  keep  my 
commandments,  which  I  have  commanded  you  at  this  time, 
ye  shall  in  no  case  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

69  Ye  have  heard  that  it  hath  been  said  by  them  of  old 
time,  and  it  is  also  written  before  you,  that  thou  shalt  not 
kill;  and  whosoever  shall  kill  shall  be  in  danger  of  the  judg- 
ment of  God. 

70  But  I  say  unto  you,  that  whosoever  is  angry  with  his 
brother,  shall  be  in  danger  of  his  judgment.  And  whosoever 
shall  say  to  his  brother,  Raca,  shall  be  in  danger  of  the  coun- 
cil; and  whosoever  shall  say,  Thou  fool,  shall  be  in  danger  of 
hell  fire; 

71  Therefore,  if  ye  shall  come  unto  me,  or  shall  desire  to 
come  unto  me,  and  rememberest  that  thy  brother  hath  aught 
against  thee, 

72  Go  thy  way  unto  thy  brother,  and  first  be  reconciled  to 
thy  brother,  and  then  come  unto  me  with  full  purpose  of 
heart,  and  I  will  receive  you. 

73  Agree  with  thine  adversary  quickly,  while  thou  art  in 
the  way  with  him,  lest  at  any  time  he  shall  get  thee,  and  thou 
shalt  be  cast  into  prison. 

74  Verily,  verily  I  say  unto  thee,  Thou  shalt  by  no  means 
come  out  thence,  until  thou  hast  paid  the  uttermost  senine. 

75  And  while  ye  are  in  prison,  can  ye  pay  even  one  senine? 
Verily,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  Nay. 

76  Behold,  it  is  written  by  them  of  old  time,  that  thou  shalt 
not  commit  adultery; 

77  But  I  say  unto  you,  that  whosoever  looketh  on  a  woman 
to  lust  after  her,  hath  committed  adultery  already  in  his 
heart. 

78  Behold,  I  give  you  a  commandment,  that  ye  suffer  none 
of  these  things  to  enter  into  your  heart;  for  it  is  better  that 
ye  should  deny  yourselves  of  these  things,  wherein  ye  will 
take  up  your  cro§s,  than  that  ye  should  be  cast  into  hell. 


638  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [CHAP.   5. 

79  It  hath  been  written,  that  whosoever  shall  put  away  his 
wife,  let  him  give  her  a  writing  of  divorcement. 

80  Verily,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  that  whosoever  shall  put 
away  his  wife,  saving  for  the  cause  of  fornication,  causeth 
her  to  commit  adultery;  and  whoso  shall  marry  her  who  is 
divorced,  committeth  adultery. 

81  And  again  it  is  written,  Thou  shalt  not  forswear  thy- 
self, but  shalt  perform  unto  the  Lord  thine  oaths. 

82  But  verily,  verily  I  say  unto  you.  Swear  not  at  all; 
neither  by  heaven,  for  it  is  God's  throne;  nor  by  the  earth, 
for  it  is  his  footstool;  neither  shalt  thou  swear  by  thy  head, 
because  thou  canst  not  make  one  hair  black  or  white; 

83  But  let  your  communication  be.  Yea,  yea;  Nay,  nay; 
for  whatsoever  cometh  of  more  than  these  are  evil. 

84  And  behold,  it  is  written.  An  eye  for  an  eye,  and  a 
tooth  for  a  tooth. 

85  But  I  say  unto  you,  that  ye  shall  not  resist  evil,  but 
whosoever  shall  smite  thee  on  thy  right  cheek,  curn  to  him 
the  other  also. 

86  And  if  any  man  will  sue  thee  at  the  law,  and  take  away 
thy  coat,  let  him  have  thy  cloak  also. 

87  And  whosoever  shall  compel  thee  to  go  a  mile,  go  with 
him  twain. 

88  Give  to  him  that  asketh  thee,  and  to  him  that  would 
borrow  of  thee,  turn  thou  not  away. 

89  And  behold,  it  is  written  also,  that  thou  shalt  love  thy 
neighbor,  and  hate  thine  enemy; 

90  But  behold  I  say  unto  you.  Love  your  enemies,  bless 
them  that  curse  you,  do  good  to  them  that  hate  you,  and  pray 
for  them  who  despitefully  use  you  and  persecute  you, 

91  That  ye  may  be  the  children  of  your  Father  who  is  in 
heaven;  for  he  maketh  his  sun  to  rise  on  the  evil  and  on  the 
good;  therefore  those  things  which  were  of  old  time,  which 
were  under  the  law,  in  me  are  all  fulfilled. 

92  Old  things  are  done  away,  and  all  things  have  become 
new;  therefore  I  would  that  ye  should  be  perfect  even  as  I, 
or  your  Father  who  is  in  heaven  is  perfect. 

93  Verily,  verily,  I  say  that  I  would  that  ye  should  do  alms 


CHAP.   5.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHL  639 

unto  the  poor;  but  take  heed  that  ye  do  not  your  alms  before 
men  to  be  seen  of  them;  otherwise  ye  have  no  reward  of  your 
Father  who  is  in  heaven. 

94  Therefore  when  ye  shall  do  your  alms,  do  not  sound  a 
trumpet  before  you,  as  will  hypocrites  do  in  the  synagogues, 
and  in  the  streets,  that  they  may  have  glory  of  men.  Verily, 
I  say  unto  you,  They  have  their  reward. 

95  But  when  thou  doest  alms,  let  not  thy  left  hand  know 
what  thy  right  hand  doeth; 

96  That  thine  alms  may  be  in  secret;  and  thy  Father  who 
seeth  in  secret,  himself  shall  reward  thee  openly. 

97  ^And  when  thou  prayest,  thou  shalt  not  do  as  the  hypo- 
crites, for  they  love  to  pray  standing  in  the  synagogues,  and 
in  the  corners  of  the  streets,  that  they  may  be  seen  of  men. 
Verily,  I  say  unto  you,  They  have  their  reward. 

98  But  thou,  when  thou  prayest,  enter  into  thy  closet,  and 
when  thou  hast  shut  thy  door,  pray  to  thy  Father  who  is  in 
secret;  and  thy  Father,  v/ho  seeth  in  secret,  shall  reward  thee 
openly. 

99  But  when  ye  pray,  use  not  vain  repetitions,  as  the 
heathen,  for  they  think  that  they  shall  be  heard  for  their 
much  speaking. 

100  Be  not  ye  therefore  like  unto  them,  for  your  Father 
knoweth  what  things  ye  have  need  of  before  ye  ask  him. 

101  After  this  manner  therefore  pray  ye, 

102  Our  Father  who  art  in  heaven,  hallowed  be  thy  name. 

103  Thy  will  be  done  on  earth  as  it  is  in  heaven. 

104  And  forgive  us  our  debts,  as  we  forgive  our  debtors. 

105  And  lead  us  not  into  temptation,  but  deliver  us  from 
evil. 

106  For  thine  is  the  kingdom,  and  the  power,  and  the 
glory,  for  ever.    Amen. 

107  For,  if  ye  forgive  men  their  trespasses,  your  heavenly 
Father  will  also  forgive  you;  but  if  ye  forgive  not  men  their 
trespasses,  neither  will  your  Father  forgive  your  trespasses. 

108  Moreover,  when  ye  fast,  be  not  as  the  hypocrites,  of  a 
sad  countenance,  for  they  disfigure  their  faces,  that  they  may 


640  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  6. 

appear  unto  men  to  fast.     Verily,  I  say  unto  you,  They  have 
their  reward. 

109  But  thou,  when  thou  fastest,  anoint  thy  head  and  wash 
thy  face;  that  thou  appear  not  unto  men  to  fast,  but  unto  thy 
Father,  who  is  in  secret;  and  thy  Father  who  seeth  in  secret, 
shall  reward  thee  openly. 

110  IJLay  not  up  for  yourselves  treasures  upon  earth,  where 
moth  and  rust  doth  corrupt,  and  thieves  break  through  and 
steal, 

111  But  lay  up  for  yourselves  treasures  in  heaven,  where 
neither  moth  nor  rust  doth  corrupt,  and  where  thieves  do  not 
break  through  nor  steal. 

112  For  where  your  treasure  is,  there  will  your  heart  be 
also. 

113  The  light  of  the  body  is  the  eye,  if  therefore  thine  eye 
be  single,  thy  whole  body  shall  be  full  of  light. 

114  But  if  thine  eye  be  evil,  thy  whole  body  shall  be  full  of 
darkness.  If  therefore  the  light  that  is  in  thee  be  darkness, 
how  great  is  that  darkness! 

115  No  man  can  serve  two  masters,  for  either  he  will  hate 
the  one,  and  love  the  other:  or  else  he  will  hold  to  the  one, 
and  despise  the  other.    Ye  can  not  serve  God  and  Mammon. 


CHAPTER  6. 

1  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Jesus  had  spoken 
these  words,  he  looked  upon  the  twelve  whom  he  had  chosen, 
and  said  unto  them.  Remember  the  words  which  I  have 
spoken. 

2  For  behold,  ye  are  they  whom  I  have  chosen  to  minister 
unto  this  people. 

3  Therefore  I  say  unto  you.  Take  no  thought  for  your  life, 
what  ye  shall  eat,  or  what  ye  shall  drink;  nor  yet  for  your 
body,  what  ye  shall  put  on.  Is  not  the  life  more  than  meat, 
and  the  body  than  raiment? 

4  Behold  the  fowls  of  the  air,  for  they  sow  not,  neither  do 
they  reap,  nor  gather  into  barns;  yet  yx)ur  heavenly  Father 
feedeth  them.     Are  ye  not  much  better  than  they? 


CHAP.  6.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  641 

5  Which  of  you  by  taking  thought  can  add  one  cubit  unto 
his  stature? 

6  And  why  take  ye  thought  for  raiment?  Consider  the 
lilies  of  the  field  how  they  grow;  they  toil  not,  neither  do  they 
spin; 

7  And  yet  I  say  unto  you,  that  even  Solomon,  in  all  his 
glory,  was  not  arrayed  like  one  of  these. 

8  Wherefore,  if  God  so  clothe  the  grass  of  the  field,  which 
to-day  is,  and  to-morrow  is  cast  into  the  oven,  even  so  will 
he  clothe  you,  if  ye  are  not  of  little  faith. 

9  Therefore  take  no  thought,  saying,  What  shall  we  eat? 
or.  What  shall  we  drink?  or,  Wherewithal  shall  we  be 
clothed? 

10  For  your  heavenly  Father  knoweth  that  ye  have  need  of 
all  these  things. 

11  But  seek  ye  first  the  kingdom  of  God,  and  his  right- 
eousness, and  all  these  things  shall  be  added  unto  you. 

12  Take  therefore  no  thought  for  the  morrow,  for  the  mor- 
row shall  take  thought  for  the  things  of  itself.  Sufficient  is 
the  day  unto  the  evil  thereof. 

13  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Jesus  had  spoken 
these  words,  he  turned  again  to  the  multitude,  and  did  open 
his  mouth  unto  them  again,  saying.  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto 
you.  Judge  not,  that  ye  be  not  judged. 

14  For  with  what  judgment  ye  judge,  ye  shall  be  judged; 
and  with  what  measure  ye  mete,  it  shall  be  measured  to  you 
again. 

15  And  why  beholdest  thou  the  mote  that  is  in  thy  brother's 
eye,  but  considerest  not  the  beam  that  is  in  thine  own  eye? 

16  Or  how  wilt  thou  say  to  thy  brother.  Let  me  pull  the 
mote  out  of  thine  eye;  and  behold,  a  beam  is  in  thine  own  eye? 

17  Thou  hypocrite,  first  cast  the  beam  out  of  thine  own 
eye:  and  then  shalt  thou  see  clearly  to  cast  the  mote  out  of 
thy  brother's  eye. 

18  Give  not  that  which  is  holy  unto  the  dogs,  neither  cast 
ye  your  pearls  before  swine,  lest  they  trample  them  under 
their  feet,  and  turn  again  and  rend  you. 


642  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  6. 

19  IJAsk,  and  it  shall  be  given  unto  you;  seek,  and  ye  shall 
find;  knock,  and  it  shall  be  opened  unto  you, 

20  For  every  one  that  asketh,  receiveth;  and  he  that  seek- 
eth,  findeth;  and  to  him  that  knocketh,  it  shall  be  opened. 

21  Or  what  man  is  there  of  you,  whom,  if  his  son  ask  bread, 
will  he  give  him  a  stone? 

22  Or  if  he  ask  a  fish,  will  he  give  him  a  serpent? 

23  If  ye  then  being  evil  know  how  to  give  good  gifts  unto 
your  children,  how  much  more  shall  your  Father  who  is  in 
heaven  give  good  things  to  them  that  ask  him? 

24  Therefore  all  things  whatsoever  ye  would  that  men 
should  do  to  you,  do  ye  even  so  to  them,  for  this  is  the  law 
and  the  prophets. 

25  ^Enter  ye  in  at  the  straight  gate;  for  wide  is  the  gate, 
and  broad  is  the  way,  that  leadeth  to  destruction,  and  many 
there  be  who  go  in  thereat: 

26  Because  straight  is  the  gate,  and  narrow  is  the  way, 
which  leadeth  unto  life,  and  few  there  be  that  find  it. 

27  Beware  of  false  prophets,  who  come  to  you  in  sheep's 
clothing,  but  inwardly  they  are  ravening  wolves. 

28  Ye  shall  know  them  by  their  fruits.  Do  men  gather 
grapes  of  thorns,  or  figs  of  thistles? 

29  Even  so  every  good  tree  bringeth  forth  good  fruit;  but 
a  corrupt  tree  bringeth  forth  evil  fruit. 

30  A  good  tree  can  not  bring  forth  evil  fruit,  neither  a  cor- 
rupt tree  bring  forth  good  fruit. 

31  Every  tree  that  bringeth  not  forth  good  fruit,  is  hewn 
down,  and  cast  into  the  fire. 

32  Wherefore,  by  their  fruits  ye  shall  know  them. 

33  ^Not  every  one  that  saith  unto  me.  Lord,  Lord,  shall 
enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven;  but  he  that  doeth  the  will 
of  my  Father  who  is  in  heaven. 

34  Many  will  say  to  me  in  that  day.  Lord,  Lord,  have  we 
not  prophesied  in  thy  name?  and  in  thy  name  have  cast  out 
devils?     and  in  thy  name  done  many  wonderful  works? 

35  And  then  will  I  profess  unto  them,  I  never  knew  you, 
depart  from  me,  ye  that  work  iniquity. 

36  HTherefore,  whoso  heareth  these  sayings  of  mine,  and 


CHAP.  7.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  643 

doeth  them,  I  will  liken  him  unto  a  wise  man,  who  built  his 
house  upon  a  rock,  and  the  rain  descended,  and  the  floods 
came,  and  the  winds  blew,  and  beat  upon  that  house;  and  it 
fell  not;  for  it  was  founded  upon  a  rock. 

37  And  every  one  that  heareth  these  sayings  of  mine,  and 
doeth  them  not,  shall  be  likened  unto  a  foolish  man,  who  built 
his  house  upon  the  sand,  and  the  rain  descended,  and  the 
floods  came,  and  the  winds  blew,  and  beat  upon  that  house; 
and  it  fell,  and  great  was  the  fall  of  it. 


CHAPTER  7. 

1  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Jesus  had  ended 
these  sayings,  he  cast  his  eyes  round  about  on  the  multitude, 
and  said  unto  them.  Behold,  ye  have  heard  the  things  which 
I  have  taught  before  I  ascended  to  my  Father; 

2  Therefore  whoso  remembereth  these  sayings  of  mine,  and 
doeth  them,  him  will  I  raise  up  at  the  last  day. 

3  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Jesus  had  said  these 
words,  he  perceived  that  there  were  some  among  them  who 
marveled,  and  wondered  what  he  would  concerning  the  law  of 
Moses;  for  they  understood  not  the  saying,  that  old  things 
had  passed  away,  and  that  all  things  had  become  new. 

4  And  he  said  unto  them.  Marvel  not  that  I  said  unto  you, 
that  old  things  had  passed  away,  and  that  all  things  had  be- 
come new. 

5  Behold  I  say  unto  you,  that  the  law  is  fulfilled  that  was 
given  unto  Moses. 

6  Behold,  I  am  he  that  gave  the  law,  and  I  am  he  who 
covenanted  with  my  people  Israel;  therefore,  the  law  in  me  is 
fulfilled,  for  I  have  come  to  fulfill  the  law;  therefore,  it  hath 
an  end. 

7  Behold,  I  do  not  destroy  the  prophets,  for  as  many  as 
have  not  been  fulfilled  in  me,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  shall  all 
be  fulfilled. 

8  And  because  I  said  unto  you,  that  old  things  hath  passed 
away,  I  do  not  destroy  that  which  hath  been  spoken  con- 
cerning things  which  are  to  come. 


644  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  7. 

9  For  behold,  the  covenant  which  I  have  made  with  my 
people,  is  not  all  fulfilled;  but  the  law  which  was  given  unto 
Moses,  hath  an  end  in  me. 

10  Behold,  I  am  the  law,  and  the  light;  look  unto  me,  and 
endure  to  the  end,  and  ye  shall  live,  for  unto  him  that  en- 
dureth  to  the  end  will  I  give  eternal  life. 

11  Behold,  I  have  given  unto  you  the  commandments; 
therefore  keep  my  commandments. 

12  And  this  is  the  law  and  the  prophets,  for  they  truly  tes- 
tified of  me. 

13  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Jesus  had  spoken 
these  words,  he  said  unto  those  twelve  whom  he  had  chosen. 
Ye  are  my  disciples ;  and  ye  are  a  light  unto  this  people,  who 
are  a  remnant  of  the  house  of  Joseph. 

14  And  behold,  this  is  the  land  of  your  inheritance;  and 
the  Father  hath  given  it  unto  you. 

15  And  not  at  any  time  hath  the  Father  given  me  com- 
mandment that  I  should  tell  it  unto  your  brethren  at  Jeru- 
salem; neither  at  any  time  hath  the  Father  given  me  com- 
mandment, that  I  should  tell  unto  them  concerning  the  other 
tribes  of  the  house  of  Israel,  whom  the  Father  hath  led  away 
out  of  the  land. 

16  This  much  did  the  Father  command  me,  that  I  should 
tell  unto  them,  that  other  sheep  I  have,  which  are  not  of  this 
fold;  them  also  I  must  bring,  and  they  shall  hear  my  voice; 
and  there  shall  be  one  fold,  and  one  shepherd. 

17  And  now  because  of  stiff-neckedness  and  unbelief,  they 
understood  not  my  word;  therefore  I  was  commanded  to  say 
no  more  of  the  Father  concerning  this  thing  unto  them. 

18  But,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  that  the  Father  hath  com- 
manded me,  and  I  tell  it  unto  you,  that  ye  were  separated 
from  among  them  because  of  their  iniquity;  therefore  it  is 
because  of  their  iniquity,  that  they  know  not  of  you. 

19  And  verily,  I  say  unto  you  again,  that  the  other  tribes 
hath  the  Father  separated  from  them;  and  it  is  because  of 
their  iniquity,  that  they  know  not  of  them. 

20  And  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  that  ye  are  they  of  whom  I 
said,  Other  sh»ep  I  have  which  are  not  of  this  fold;  them  also 


CHAP.  7.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  645 

I  must  bring,  and  they  shall  hear  my  voice,  and  there  shall 
be  one  fold,  and  one  shepherd. 

21  And  they  understood  me  not,  for  they  supposed  it  had 
been  the  Gentiles;  for  they  understood  not  that  the  Gentiles 
should  be  converted  through  their  preaching; 

22  And  they  understood  me  not  that  I  said  they  shall  hear 
my  voice;  and  they  understood  me  not  that  the  Gentiles  should 
not  at  any  time  hear  my  voice;  that  I  should  not  manifest 
myself  unto  them,  save  it  were  by  the  Holy  Ghost. 

23  But  behold,  ye  have  both  heard  my  voice,  and  seen  me, 
and  ye  are  my  sheep,  and  ye  are  numbered  among  those  whom 
the  Father  hath  given  me. 

24  And  verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  that  I  have  other 
sheep,  which  are  not  of  this  land;  neither  of  the  land  of 
Jerusalem;  neither  in  any  parts  of  that  land  round  about, 
whither  I  have  been  to  minister. 

25  For  they  of  whom  I  speak,  are  they  who  have  not  as  yet 
heard  my  voice;  neither  have  I  at  any  time  manifested  my- 
self unto  them. 

26  But  I  have  received  a  commandment  of  the  Father,  that 
I  shall  go  unto  them,  and  that  they  shall  hear  my  voice,  and 
shall  be  numbered  among  my  sheep,  that  there  may  be  one 
fold,  and  one  shepherd;  therefore  I  go  to  shew  myself  unto 
them. 

27  And  I  command  you  that  ye  shall  write  these  sayings, 
after  I  am  gone,  that  if  it  so  be  that  my  people  at  Jerusalem, 
they  who  have  seen  me,  and  been  with  me  in  my  ministry,  do 
not  ask  the  Father  in  my  name,  that  they  may  receive  a 
knowledge  of  you  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  also  of  the  other 
tribes  whom  they  know  not  of, 

28  That  these  sayings  which  ye  shall  write,  shall  be  kept, 
and  shall  be  manifested  unto  the  Gentiles,  that  through  the 
fullness  of  the  Gentiles,  the  remnant  of  their  seed  who  shall 
be  scattered  forth  upon  the  face  of  the  earth,  because  of  their 
unbelief,  may  be  brought  in,  or  may  be  brought  to  a  knowl- 
edge of  me,  their  Redeemer. 

29  And  then  will  I  gather  them  in  from  the  four  quarters 
of  the  earth;  and  then  will  I  fulfill  the  covenant  which  the 


646  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  7. 

Father  hath  made  unto  all  the  people  of  the  house  of  Israel. 

30  And  blessed  are  the  Gentiles,  because  of  their  belief  in 
me,  in  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  witness  unto  them  of  me 
and  of  the  Father. 

31  Behold,  because  of  their  belief  in  me,  saith  the  Father, 
and  because  of  the  unbelief  of  you,  O  house  of  Israel,  in  the 
latter  day  shall  the  truth  come  unto  the  Gentiles,  that  the 
fullness  of  these  things  shall  be  made  known  unto  them. 

32  But  wo,  saith  the  Father,  unto  the  unbelieving  of  the 
Gentiles,  for  notwithstanding  they  have  come  forth  upon  the 
face  of  this  land,  and  have  scattered  my  people,  who  are  of 
the  house  of  Israel;  and  my  people  who  are  of  the  house  of 
Israel,  have  been  cast  out  from  among  them,  and  have  been 
trodden  under  feet  by  them; 

33  And  because  of  the  mercies  of  the  Father  unto  the  Gen- 
tiles, and  also  the  judgments  of  the  Father  upon  my  people, 
who  are  of  the  house  of  Israel,  verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you, 
that  after  all  this,  and  I  have  caused  my  people  who  are  of 
the  house  of  Israel,  to  be  smitten,  and  to  be  afflicted,  and  to 
be  slain,  and  to  be  cast  out  from  am^ong  them,  and  to  become 
hated  by  them,  and  to  become  a  hiss  and  a  byword  among 
them. 

34  And  thus  commandeth  the  Father  that  I  should  say  unto 
you.  At  that  day  when  the  Gentiles  shall  sin  against  my  gos- 
pel, and  shall  reject  the  fullness  of  my  gospel,  and  shall  be 
lifted  up  in  the  pride  of  their  hearts  above  all  nations,  and 
above  all  the  people  of  the  whole  earth,  and  shall  be  filled  with 
all  manner  of  lyings,  and  of  deceits,  and  of  mischiefs,  and  all 
manner  of  hypocrisy,  and  murders,  and  priestcrafts,  and 
whoredoms,  and  of  secret  abominations; 

35  And  if  they  shall  do  all  these  things,  and  shall  reject 
the  fullness  of  my  gospel,  behold,  saith  the  Father,  I  will 
bring  the  fullness  of  my  gospel  from  among  them; 

36  And  then  will  I  remember  my  covenant  which  I  have 
made  unto  my  people,  0  house  of  Israel,  and  I  will  bring  my 
gospel  unto  them; 

37  And  I  will  shew  unto  thee,  O  house  of  Israel,  that  the 
Gentiles  shall  not  have  power  over  you,  but  I  will  remember 


CHAP.  8.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  647 

my  covenant  unto  you,  0  house  of  Israel,  and  ye  shall  come 
unto  the  knowledge  of  the  fullness  of  my  gospel. 

38  But  if  the  Gentiles  will  repent,  and  return  unto  me, 
saith  the  Father,  behold,  they  shall  be  numbered  among  my 
people,  O  house  of  Israel; 

39  And  I  will  not  suffer  my  people,  who  are  of  the  house  of 
Israel,  to  go  through  among  them,  and  tread  them  down,  saith 
the  Father. 

40  But  if  they  will  not  turn  unto  me,  and  hearken  unto 
my  voice,  I  will  suffer  them,  yea,  I  will  suffer  my  people,  O 
house  of  Israel,  that  they  shall  go  through  among  them,  and 
shall  tread  them  down, 

41  And  they  shall  be  as  salt  that  hath  lost  its  savor,  which 
is  thenceforth  good  for  nothing,  but  to  be  cast  out,  and  to  be 
trodden  under  foot  of  my  people,  O  house  of  Israel. 

42  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you.  Thus  hath  the  Father  com- 
manded me,  that  I  should  give  unto  this  people  this  land  for 
their  inheritance. 

43  And  when  the  words  of  the  prophet  Isaiah  shall  be  ful- 
filled, which  say.  Thy  watchmen  shall  lift  up  the  voice;  with 
the  voice  together  shall  they  sing,  for  they  shall  see  eye  to 
eye,  when  the  Lord  shall  bring  again  Zion. 

44  Break  forth  into  joy,  sing  together,  ye  waste  places  of 
Jerusalem,  for  the  Lord  hath  comforted  his  people,  he  hath 
redeemed  Jerusalem. 

45  The  Lord  hath  made  bare  his  holy  arm  in  the  eyes  of 
all  the  nations;  and  all  the  ends  of  the  earth  shall  see  the 
salvation  of  God. 


CHAPTER  8. 

1  IJBehold,  now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Jesus  had  spoken 
these  words,  he  looked  round  about  again  on  the  multitude, 
and  he  said  unto  them.  Behold,  my  time  is  at  hand. 

2  I  perceive  that  ye  are  weak,  that  ye  can  not  understand 
all  my  words  which  I  am  commanded  of  the  Father  to  speak 
unto  you  at  this  time;   . 

3  Therefore,  go  ye  unto  your  homes,  and  ponder  upon  the 


648  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  8. 

things  which  I  have  said,  and  ask  of  the  Father,  in  my  name, 
that  ye  may  understand;  and  prepare  your  minds  for  the 
morrow,  and  I  come  unto  you  again. 

4  But  now  I  go  unto  the  Father,  and  also  to  shew  myself 
unto  the  lost  tribes  of  Israel,  for  they  are  not  lost  unto  the 
Father,  for  he  knoweth  whither  he  hath  taken  them. 

5  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Jesus  had  thus  spoken, 
he  cast  his  eyes  round  about  again  on  the  multitude,  and  be- 
held they  were  in  tears,  and  did  look  steadfastly  upon  him,  as 
if  they  would  ask  him  to  tarry  a  little  longer  with  them. 

6  And  he  said  unto  them.  Behold,  my  bowels  are  filled  with 
compassion  towards  you:  Have  ye  any  that  are  sick  among 
you,  bring  them  hither. 

7  Have  ye  any  that  are  lame,  or  blind,  or  halt,  or  maimed, 
or  leprous,  or  that  are  withered,  or  that  are  deaf,  or  that  are 
afflicted  in  any  manner,  bring  them  hither,  and  I  will  heal 
them,  for  I  have  compassion  upon  you; 

8  My  bowels  are  filled  with  mercy;  for  I  perceive  that  ye 
desire  that  I  should  shew  unto  you  what  I  have  done  unto 
your  brethren  at  Jerusalem,  for  I  see  that  your  faith  is  suffi- 
cient, that  I  should  heal  you. 

9  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  when  he  had  thus  spoken,  all 
the  multitude,  with  one  accord,  did  go  forth,  with  their  sick, 
and  their  afflicted,  and  their  lame,  and  with  their  blind,  and 
with  their  dumb,  and  with  all  they  that  were  afflicted  in  any 
manner;  and  he  did  heal  them  every  one  as  they  were  brought 
forth  unto  him; 

10  And  they  did  all,  both  they  who  had  been  healed,  and 
they  who  were  whole,  bow  down  at  his  feet,  and  did  worship 
him; 

11  And  as  many  as  could  come,  for  the  multitude,  did  kiss 
his  feet,  insomuch  that  they  did  bathe  his  feet  with  their 
tears. 

12  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  commanded  that  their  little 
children  should  be  brought. 

13  So  they  brought  their  little  children  and  sat  them  down 
upon  the  ground  round  about  him,  and  Jesus  stood  in  the 


CHAP.  8.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  649 

midst;   and  the  multitude  gave  way  till  they  had  all  been 
brought  unto  him. 

14  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  they  had  all  been  brought, 
and  Jesus  stood  in  the  midst,  he  commanded  the  multitude 
that  they  should  kneel  down  upon  the  ground. 

15  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  they  had  knelt  upon  the 
ground,  Jesus  groaned  within  himself,  and  saith.  Father,  I 
am  troubled  because  of  the  wickedness  of  the  people  of  the 
house  of  Israel. 

16  And  when  he  had  said  these  words,  he  himself  also 
knelt  upon  the  earth,  and  behold  he  prayed  unto  the  Father, 
and  the  things  which  he  prayed,  can  not  be  written,  and  the 
multitude  did  bear  record  who  heard  him. 

17  And  after  this  manner  do  they  bear  record;  the  eye 
hath  never  seen,  neither  hath  the  ear  heard,  before,  so  great 
and  marvelous  things  as  we  saw  and  heard  Jesus  speak  unto 
the  Father; 

18  And  no  tongue  can  speak,  neither  can  there  be  written 
by  any  man,  neither  can  the  hearts  of  men  conceive  so  great 
and  marvelous  things  as  we  both  saw  and  heard  Jesus  speak; 

19  And  no  one  can  conceive  of  the  joy  which  filled  our  souls 
at  the  time  we  heard  him  pray  for  us  unto  the  Father. 

20  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Jesus  had  made  an  end 
of  praying  unto  the  Father,  he  arose;  but  so  great  was  the 
joy  of  the  multitude,  that  they  were  overcome. 

21  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Jesus  spake  unto  them,  and 
bade  them  arise. 

22  And  they  arose  from  the  earth,  and  he  said  unto  them, 
Blessed  are  ye  because  of  your  faith.  And  now  behold  my 
joy  is  full. 

23  And  when  he  had  said  these  words,  he  wept,  and  the 
multitude  bear  record  of  it,  and  he  took  their  little  children, 
one  by  one,  and  blessed  them,  and  prayed  unto  the  Father  for 
them. 

24  And  when  hte  had  done  this  he  wept  again,  and  he  spake 
unto  the  multitude,  and  saith  unto  them.  Behold  your  little 
ones. 

25  And  as  they  looked  to  behold,  they  cast  their  eyes  to- 


650  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  8. 

wards  heaven,  and  they  saw  the  heavens  open,  and  they  saw 
angels  descending  out  of  heaven  as  it  were,  in  the  midst  of 
fire ;  and  they  came  down  and  encircled  those  little  ones  about ; 

26  And  they  were  encircled  about  with  fire;  and  the  angels 
did  minister  unto  them,  and  the  multitude  did  see  and  hear, 
and  bear  record;  and  they  know  that  their  record  is  true, 
for  they  all  of  them  did  see  and  hear,  every  man  for  himself; 

27  And  they  were  in  number  about  two  thousand  and  five 
hundred  souls;  and  they  did  consist  of  men,  women  and  chil- 
dren. 

28  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Jesus  commanded  his  disci- 
ples that  they  should  bring  forth  some  bread  and  wine  unto 
him. 

29  And  while  they  were  gone  for  bread  and  wine,  he  com- 
manded the  multitude  that  they  should  sit  themselves  down 
upon  the  earth. 

30  And  when  the  disciples  had  come  with  bread  and  wine, 
he  took  of  the  bread,  and  break  and  blessed  it;  and  he  gave 
unto  the  disciples,  and  commanded  that  they  should  eat. 

31  And  when  they  had  eat,  and  were  filled,  he  commanded 
that  they  should  give  unto  the  multitude. 

32  And  when  the  multitude  had  eaten  and  were  filled,  he 
said  unto  the  disciples.  Behold,  there  shall  one  be  ordained 
among  you,  and  to  him  will  I  give  power  that  he  shall  break 
bread,  and  bless  it,  and  give  it  unto  the  people  of  my  church, 
unto  all  those  who  shall  believe  and  be  baptized  in  my  name. 

33  And  this  shall  ye  always  observe  to  do,  even  as  I  have 
done,  even  as  I  have  broken  bread,  and  blessed  it,  and  gave 
it  unto  you. 

34  And  this  shall  ye  do  in  remembrance  of  my  body,  which 
I  have  shewn  unto  you. 

35  And  it  shall  be  a  testimony  unto  the  Father,  that  ye  do 
always  remember  me. 

36  And  if  ye  do  always  remember  me,  ye  shall  have  my 
Spirit  to  be  with  you. 

37  ^And  it*  came  to  pass  that  when  he  had  said  these  words, 
he  commanded  his  disciples  that  they  should  take  of  the  wine 


CHAP.  8.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  651 

of  the  cup,  and  drink  of  it,  and  that  they  should  also  give 
unto  the  multitude,  that  they  might  drink  of  it. 

38  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  so,  and  did  drink  of 
it,  and  were  filled;  and  they  gave  unto  the  multitude,  and 
they  did  drink,  and  they  were  filled. 

39  And  when  the  disciples  had  done  this,  Jesus  said  unto 
them.  Blessed  are  ye  for  this  thing  which  ye  have  done,  for 
this  is  fulfilling  my  commandments,  and  this  doth  witness 
unto  the  Father  that  ye  are  willing  to  do  that  which  I  have 
commanded  you. 

40  And  this  shall  ye  always  do  unto  those  who  repent  and 
are  baptized  in  my  name;  and  ye  shall  do  it  in  remembrance 
of  my  blood,  which  I  have  shed  for  you,  that  ye  may  witness 
unto  the  Father  that  ye  do  always  remember  me. 

41  And  if  ye  do  always  remember  me,  ye  shall  have  my 
Spirit  to  be  with  you. 

42  And  I  give  unto  you  a  commandment  that  ye  shall  do 
these  things. 

43  And  if  ye  shall  always  do  these  things,  blessed  are  ye, 
for  ye  are  built  upon  my  rock. 

44  But  whoso  among  you  shall  do  more  or  less  than  these, 
are  not  built  upon  my  rock,  but  are  built  upon  a  sandy  foun- 
dation ; 

45  And  when  the  rain  descends,  and  the  floods  come,  and 
the  winds  blow,  and  beat  upon  them,  they  shall  fall,  and  the 
gates  of  hell  are  already  open  to  receive  them: 

46  Therefore  blessed  are  ye  if  ye  shall  keep  my  command- 
ments, which  the  Father  hath  commanded  me  that  I  should 
give  unto  you. 

47  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  Ye  must  watch  and  pray 
always,  lest  ye  be  tempted  by  the  devil,  and  ye  are  led  away 
captive  by  him. 

48  And  as  I  have  prayed  among  you,  even  so  shall  ye  pray 
in  my  church,  among  my  people  who  do  repent  and  are  bap- 
tized in  my  name. 

49  Behold  I  am  the  light;  I  have  set  an  example  for  you. 

50  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Jesus  had  spoken  these 
words  unto  his  disciples,  he  turned  again  unto  the  multitude, 


652  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  8. 

and  said  unto  them,  Behold,  verily,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  Ye 
must  watch  and  pray  always,  lest  ye  enter  into  temptation; 

51  For  Satan  desireth  to  have  you,  that  he  may  sift  you  as 
wheat;  therefore  ye  must  always  pray  unto  the  Father  in  my 
name;  and  whatsoever  ye  shall  ask  the  Father  in  my  name, 
which  is  right,  believing  that  ye  shall  receive,  behold  it  shall 
be  given  unto  you. 

52  Pray  in  your  families  unto  the  Father,  always  in  my 
name,  that  your  wives  and  your  children  may  be  blessed. 

53  And  behold,  ye  shall  meet  together  oft,  and  ye  shall  not 
forbid  any  man  from  coming  unto  you  when  ye  shall  meet 
together,  but  suffer  them  that  they  may  come  unto  you,  and 
forbid  them  not; 

54  But  ye  shall  pray  for  them,  and  shall  not  cast  them  out; 
and  if  it  so  be  that  they  come  unto  you  oft,  ye  shall  pray  for 
them  unto  the  Father,  in  my  name;  therefore  hold  up  your 
light  that  it  may  shine  unto  the  world. 

55  Behold  I  am  the  light  which  ye  shall  hold  up — that 
which  ye  have  seen  me  do. 

56  Behold  ye  see  that  I  have  prayed  unto  the  Father,  and 
ye  all  have  witnessed;  and  ye  see  that  I  have  commanded 
that  none  of  you  should  go  away,  but  rather  have  commanded 
that  ye  should  come  unto  me,  that  ye  might  feel  and  see; 

57  Even  so  shall  ye  do  unto  the  world;  and  whosoever 
breaketh  this  commandment,  suffereth  himself  to  be  led  into 
temptation. 

58  IJAnd  now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Jesus  had  spoken 
these  words,  he  turned  his  eyes  again  upon  the  disciples  whom 
he  had  chosen,  and  said  unto  them, 

59  Behold,  verily,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  I  give  unto  you 
another  commandment,  and  then  I  must  go  unto  my  Father, 
that  I  may  fulfill  other  commandments  which  he  hath  given 
me. 

60  And  now  behold,  this  is  the  commandment  which  I  give 
unto  you,  that  ye  shall  not  suffer  any  one  knowingly,  to  par- 
take of  my  flesh  and  blood  unworthily,  when  ye  shall  minister 
it,  for  whoso  eateth  and  drinketh  my  flesh  and  blood  unwor- 
thily, eateth  and  drinketh  damnation  to  his  soul; 


CHAP.  8.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  653 

61  Therefore  if  ye  know  that  a  man  is  unworthy  to  eat 
and  drink  of  my  flesh  and  blood,  ye  shall  forbid  him;  never- 
theless ye  shall  not  cast  him  out  from  among  you,  but  ye  shall 
minister  unto  him,  and  shall  pray  for  him  unto  the  Father, 
in  my  name, 

62  And  if  it  so  be  that  he  repenteth,  and  is  baptized  in  my 
name,  then  shall  ye  receive  him,  and  shall  minister  unto  him 
of  my  flesh  and  blood; 

63  But  if  he  repent  not,  he  shall  not  be  numbered  among 
my  people,  that  he  may  not  destroy  my  people,  for  behold  I 
know  my  sheep,  and  they  are  numbered; 

64  Nevertheless  ye  shall  not  cast  him  out  of  your  syna- 
gogues, or  your  places  of  worship,  for  unto  such  shall  ye  con- 
tinue to  minister; 

65  For  ye  know  not  but  what  they  will  return  and  repent, 
and  come  unto  me  with  full  purpose  of  heart,  and  I  shall  heal 
them,  and  ye  shall  be  the  means  of  bringing  salvation  unto 
them. 

66  Therefore  keep  these  sayings  which  I  have  commanded 
you,  that  ye  come  not  under  condemnation,  for  wo  unto  him 
whom  the  Father  condemneth. 

67  And  I  give  you  these  commandments,  because  of  the  dis- 
putations which  have  been  among  you. 

68  And  blessed  are  ye  if  ye  have  no  disputations  among 
you. 

69  And  now  I  go  unto  the  Father,  because  it  is  expedient 
that  I  should  go  unto  the  Father,  for  your  sakes. 

70  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Jesus  had  made  an  end 
of  these  sayings,  he  touched  with  his  hand  the  disciples  whom 
he  had  chosen,  one  by  one,  even  until  he  had  touched  them  all, 
and  spake  unto  them  as  he  touched  them; 

71  And  the  multitude  heard  not  the  words  which  he  spake, 
therefore  they  did  not  bear  record;  but  the  disciples  bear 
record  that  he  gave  them  power  to  give  the  Holy  Ghost. 

72  And  I  will  shew  unto  you  hereafter  that  this  record  is 
true. 

73  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Jesus  had  touched  them 


654  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  9. 

all,  there  came  a  cloud  and  overshadowed  the  multitude,  that 
they  could  not  see  Jesus. 

74  And  while  they  were  overshadowed,  he  departed  from 
them,  and  ascended  into  heaven. 

75  And  the  disciples  saw  and  did  bear  record  that  he  as- 
cended again  into  heaven. 


CHAPTER   9. 

1  IJAnd  now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Jesus  had  ascended 
into  heaven,  the  multitude  did  disperse,  and  every  man  did 
take  his  wife  and  his  children,  and  did  return  to  his  own  home. 

2  And  it  was  noised  abroad  among  the  people  immediately, 
before  it  was  yet  dark,  that  the  multitude  had  seen  Jesus, 
and  that  he  had  ministered  unto  them,  and  that  he  would 
also  shew  himself  on  the  morrow  unto  the  multitude; 

3  Yea,  and  even  all  the  night  it  was  noised  abroad  con- 
cerning Jesus;  and  insomuch  did  they  send  forth  unto  the 
people,  that  there  were  many,  yea,  an  exceeding  great  number 
did  labor  exceedingly  all  that  night,  that  they  might  be  on 
the  morrow  in  the  place  where  Jesus  should  shew  himself  unto 
the  multitude. 

4  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  on  the  morrow,  when  the  mul- 
titude was  gathered  together,  behold  Nephi  and  his  brother 
whom  he  had  raised  from  the  dead,  whose  name  was  Timothy, 
and  also  his  son,  whose  name  was  Jonas,  and  also  Mathoni, 
and  Mathonihah,  his  brother,  and  Kumen,  and  Kumenonhi, 
and  Jeremiah,  and  Shemnon,  and  Jonas,  and  Zedekiah,  and 
Isaiah :  now  these  were  the  names  of  the  disciples  whom  Jesus 
had  chosen. 

5  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  went  forth  and  stood  in 
the  midst  of  the  multitude. 

6  And  behold,  the  multitude  was  so  great,  that  they  did 
cause  that  they  should  be  separated  into  twelve  bodies. 

7  And  the  twelve  did  teach  the  multitude,  and  behold,  they 
did  cause  that  the  multitude  should  kneel  down  upon  the  face 
of  the  earth,  and  should  pray  unto  the  Father,  in  the  name 
of  Jesus. 


CHAP.  9.J  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  655 

8  And  the  disciples  did  pray  unto  the  Father  also,  in  the 
name  of  Jesus. 

9  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  arose  and  ministered  unto 
the  people. 

10  And  when  they  had  ministered  those  same  words  which 
Jesus  had  spoken — nothing  varying  from  the  words  which 
Jesus  had  spoken — behold,  they  knelt  again,  and  prayed  to  the 
Father  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  and  they  did  pray  for  that  which 
they  most  desired;  and  they  desired  that  the  Holy  Ghost 
should  be  given  unto  them. 

11  And  when  they  had  thus  prayed,  they  went  down  unto 
the  water's  edge,  and  the  multitude  followed  them. 

12  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Nephi  went  down  into  the 
water,  and  was  baptized. 

13  And  he  came  up  out  of  the  water,  and  began  to  baptize. 
And  he  baptized  all  those  whom  Jesus  had  chosen. 

14  And  it  came  to  pass  when  they  were  all  baptized,  and 
had  come  up  out  of  the  water,  the  Holy  Ghost  did  fall  upon 
them,  and  they  were  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  with  fire. 

15  And  behold,  they  were  encircled  about  as  if  it  were  fire; 
and  it  came  down  from  heaven,  and  the  multitude  did  witness 
it,  and  do  bear  record;  and  angels  did  come  down  out  of 
heaven,  and  did  minister  unto  them. 

16  And  it  came  to  pass  that  while  the  angels  were  minis- 
tering unto  the  disciples,  behold,  Jesus  came  and  stood  in  the 
midst,  and  ministered  unto  them. 

17  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  spake  unto  the  multitude, 
and  commanded  them  that  they  should  kneel  down  again  upon 
the  earth,  and  also  that  his  disciples  should  kneel  down  upon 
the  earth. 

18  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  they  had  all  knelt  down 
upon  the  earth,  he  commanded  his  disciples  that  they  should 
pray. 

19  And  behold  they  began  to  pray;  and  they  did  pray  unto 
Jesus,  calling  him  their  Lord  and  their  God. 

20  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Jesus  departed  out  of  the 
midst  of  them,  and  went  a  little  way  off  from  them  and  bowed 
himself  to  the  earth,  and  he  said,  Father,  I  thank  thee  that 


656  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  9. 

thou  hast  given  the  Holy  Ghost  unto  these  whom  I  have 
chosen;  and  it  is  because  of  their  belief  in  me,  that  I  have 
chosen  them  out  of  the  world. 

21  Father,  I  pray  thee  that  thou  wilt  give  the  Holy  Ghost 
unto  all  them  that  shall  believe  in  their  words. 

22  Father,  thou  hast  given  them  the  Holy  Ghost,  because 
they  believe  in  me,  and  thou  seest  that  they  believe  in  me,  be- 
cause thou  hearest  them,  and  they  pray  unto  me;  and  they 
pray  unto  me  because  I  am  with  them. 

23  And  now  Father,  I  pray  unto  thee  for  them,  and  also 
for  all  those  who  shall  believe  on  their  words,  that  they  may 
believe  in  me,  that  I  may  be  in  them  as  thou.  Father,  art  in 
me,  that  we  may  be  one. 

24  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass,  that  when  Jesus  had  thus  prayed 
unto  the  Father,  he  came  unto  his  disciples,  and  behold,  they 
did  still  continue,  without  ceasing,  to  pray  unto  him;  and 
they  did  not  multiply  many  words,  for  it  was  given  unto  them 
what  they  should  pray,  and  they  were  filled  with  desire. 

25  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Jesus  beheld  them,  as  they  did 
pray  unto  him,  and  his  countenance  did  smile  upon  them,  and 
the  light  of  his  countenance  did  shine  upon  them,  and  behold 
they  were  as  white  as  the  countenance,  and  also  the  garments 
of  Jesus; 

26  And  behold  the  whiteness  thereof  did  exceed  all  the 
whiteness,  yea,  even  there  could  be  nothing  upon  earth  so 
white  as  the  whiteness  thereof. 

27  And  Jesus  said  unto  them,  Pray  on;  nevertheless  they 
did  not  cease  to  pray. 

28  And  he  turned  from  them  again,  and  went  a  little  way 
off,  and  bowed  himself  to  the  earth ;  and  he  prayed  again  unto 
the  Father,  saying.  Father,  I  thank  thee  that  thou  hast  puri- 
fied these  whom  I  have  chosen,  because  of  their  faith, 

29  And  I  pray  for  them,  and  also  for  them  who  shall  be- 
lieve on  their  words,  that  they  may  be  purified  in  me,  through 
faith  on  their  words,  even  as  they  are  purified  in  me. 

30  Father  I  pray  not  for  the  world,  but  for  those  whom 
thou  hast  given  me  out  of  the  world,  because  of  their  faith, 
that  they  may  be  purified  in  me,  that  I  may  be  in  them  as 


CHAP.  9.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  657 

thou,  Father,  art  in  me,  that  we  may  be  one,  that  I  may  be 
glorified  in  them. 

31  ^And  when  Jesus  had  spoken  these  words,  he  came 
again  unto  his  disciples,  and  behold  they  did  pray  steadfastly, 
without  ceasing,  unto  him ;  and  he  did  smile  upon  them  again ; 
and  behold  they  were  white,  even  as  Jesus. 

32  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  he  went  again  a  little  way 
off,  and  prayed  unto  the  Father:  and  tongue  can  not  speak 
the  words  which  he  prayed,  neither  can  be  written  by  man 
the  words  which  he  prayed. 

33  And  the  multitude  did  hear,  and  do  bear  record,  and 
their  hearts  were  open,  and  they  did  understand  in  their 
hearts  the  words  which  he  prayed. 

34  Nevertheless,  so  great  and  marvelous  were  the  words 
which  he  prayed,  that  they  can  not  be  written,  neither  can 
they  be  uttered  by  man. 

35  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Jesus  had  made  an  end 
of  praying,  he  came  again  to  the  disciples,  and  said  unto  them, 
So  great  faith  have  I  never  seen  among  all  the  Jews;  where- 
fore I  could  not  shew  unto  them  so  great  miracles,  because 
of  their  unbelief. 

36  Verily  I  say  unto  you.  There  are  none  of  them  that  have 
seen  so  great  things  as  ye  have  seen;  neither  have  they  heard 
so  great  things  as  ye  have  heard. 

37  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  he  commanded  the  multitude 
that  they  should  cease  to  pray,  and  also  his  disciples. 

38  And  he  commanded  them  that  they  should  not  cease  to 
pray  in  their  hearts. 

39  And  he  commanded  them  that  they  should  arise  and 
stand  upon  their .  feet.  And  they  arose  up  and  stood  upon 
their  feet. 

40  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  break  bread  again,  and 
blessed  it,  and  gave  to  the  disciples  to  eat. 

41  And  when  they  had  eaten  he  commanded  them  that  they 
should  break  bread,  and  give  it  unto  the  multitude. 

42  And  when  they  had  given  unto  the  multitude,  he  also 
gave  them  wine  to  drink,  and  commanded  them  that  they 
should  give  unto  the  multitude. 


658  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  9. 

43  Now  there  had  been  no  bread,  neither  wine,  brought  by 
the  disciples,  neither  by  the  multitude;  but  he  truly  gave  unto 
them  bread  to  eat,  and  also  wine  to  drink; 

44  And  he  said  unto  them,  He  that  eateth  this  bread,  eateth 
of  my  body  to  his  soul,  and  he  that  drinketh  of  this  wine, 
drinketh  of  my  blood  to  his  soul,  and  his  soul  shall  never 
hunger  nor  thirst,  but  shall  be  filled. 

45  Now  when  the  multitude  had  all  eaten  and  drunk,  be- 
hold they  were  filled  with  the  Spirit,  and  they  did  cry  out  with 
one  voice,  and  gave  glory  to  Jesus,  whom  they  both  saw  and 
heard. 

46  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  they  had  all  given  glory 
unto  Jesus,  he  said  unto  them.  Behold  now  I  finish  the  com- 
mandment which  the  Father  hath  commanded  me  concerning 
this  people  who  are  a  remnant  of  the  house  of  Israel. 

47  Ye  remember  that  I  spake  unto  you,  and  said  that  when 
the  words  of  Isaiah  should  be  fulfilled,  behold  they  are  writ- 
ten, ye  have  them  before  you;  therefore  search  them. 

48  And  verily,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  that  when  they  shall 
be  fulfilled,  then  is  the  fulfilling  of  the  covenant  which  the 
Father  hath  made  unto  his  people. 

49  O  house  of  Israel,  and  then  shall  the  remnants  which 
shall  be  scattered  abroad  upon  the  face  of  the  earth,  be  gath- 
ered in  from  the  east,  and  from  the  west,  and  from  the  south, 
and  from  the  north;  and  they  shall  be  brought  to  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  Lord  their  God,  who  hath  redeemed  them. 

50  And  the  Father  hath  commanded  me  that  I  should  give 
unto  you  this  land,  for  your  inheritance. 

51  And  I  say  unto  you,  that  if  the  Gentiles  do  not  repent, 
after  the  blessing  which  they  shall  receive,  after  they  have 
scattered  my  people,  then  shall  ye  who  are  a  remnant^  of  the 
house  of  Jacob,  go  forth  among  them; 

52  And  ye  shall  be  in  the  midst  of  them,  who  shall  be 
many;  and  ye  shall  be  among  them,  as  a  lion  among  the 
beasts  of  the  forest,  and  as  a  young  lion  among  the  flocks  of 


'Micah 


CHAP.  9.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  659 

sheep,   who,   if  he  goeth   through,  both  treadeth   down   and 
teareth  in  pieces,  and  none  can  deliver. 

53  Thy  hand  shall  be  lifted  up  upon  thine  adversaries,  and 
all  thine  enemies  shall  be  cut  off. 

54  And  I  will  gather  my  people  together,  as  a  man  gather- 
eth  his  sheaves  into  the  floor,"  for  I  will  make  my  people  with 
whom  the  Father  hath  covenanted,  yea,  I  will  make  thy  horn 
iron,  and  I  will  make  thy  hoofs  brass. 

55  And  thou  shalt  beat  in  pieces  many  people;  and  I  will 
consecrate  their  gain  unto  the  Lord,  and  their  substance  unto 
the  Lord  of  the  whole  earth.  And  behold,  I  am  he  who  doeth 
it. 

56  And  it  shall  come  to  pass,  saith  the  Father,  that  the 
sword  of  my  justice  shall  hang  over  them  at  that  day;  and 
except  they  repent,  it  shall  fall  upon  them,  saith  the  Father, 
yea,  even  upon  all  the  nations  of  the  Gentiles. 

57  And  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  I  will  establish  my  peo- 
ple, O  house  of  Israel. 

58  And  behold,  this  people  will  I  establish  in  this  land,  unto 
the  fulfilling  of  the  covenant  which  I  made  with  your  father 
Jacob;  and  it  shall  be  a  new  Jerusalem. 

59  And  the  powers  of  heaven  shall  be  in  the  midst  of  this 
people;  yea,  even  I  will  be  in  the  midst  of  you. 

60  Behold,  I  am  he  of  whom  Moses  spake,  saying,  A  prophet 
shall  the  Lord  your  God  raise  up  unto  you  of  your  brethren, 
like  unto  me,  him  shall  ye  hear  in  all  things  whatsoever  he 
shall  say  unto  you. 

61  And  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  every  soul  who  will  not 
hear  that  prophet,  shall  be  cut  off  from  among  the  people. 

62  Verily,  I  say  unto  you.  Yea;  and  all  the  prophets  from 
Samuel,  and  those  that  follow  after,  as  many  as  have  spoken, 
have  testified  of  me. 

63  And  behold  ye  are  the  children  of  the  prophets;  and  ye 
are  of  the  house  of  Israel;  and  ye  are  of  the  covenant  which 
the  Father  made  with  your  fathers,  saying  unto  Abraham, 
And  in  thy  seed,  shall  all  the  kindreds  of  the  earth  be  blessed; 

^Micah  4  :  13. 


660  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  9. 

64  The  Father  having  raised  me  up  unto  you  first,  and  sent 
me  to  bless  you,  in  turning  away  every  one  of  you  from 
his  iniquities;  and  this  because  ye  are  the  children  of  the 
covenant. 

65  And  after  that  ye  were  blessed,  then  fulfilleth  the  Father 
the  covenant  which  he  made  with  Abraham,  saying.  In  thy 
seed  shall  all  the  kindreds  of  the  earth  be  blessed,  unto  the 
pouring  out  of  the  Holy  Ghost  through  me  upon  the  Gentiles, 
which  blessing  upon  the  Gentiles,  shall  make  them  mighty 
above  all,  unto  the  scattering  of  my  people,  O  house  of  Israel : 
and  they  shall  be  a  scourge  unto  the  people  of  this  land. 

66  Nevertheless,  when  they  shall  have  received  the  fullness 
of  my  gospel,  then  if  they  shall  harden  their  hearts  against 
me,  I  will  return  their  iniquities  upon  their  own  heads,  saith 
the  Father. 

67  And  I  will  remember  the  covenant  which  I  have  made 
with  my  people,  and  I  have  covenanted  with  them,  that  I 
would  gather  them  together  in  mine  own  due  time; 

68  That  I  would  give  unto  them  again  the  land  of  their 
fathers,  for  their  inheritance,  which  is  the  land  of  Jerusalem, 
which  is  the  promised  land  unto  them  for  ever,  saith  the 
Father. 

69  IJAnd  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  the  time  cometh,  when 
the  fullness  of  my  gospel  shall  be  preached  unto  them,  and 
they  shall  believe  in  me,  that  I  am  Jesus  Christ,  the  Son  of 
God,  and  shall  pray  unto  the  Father  in  my  name. 

70  'Then  shall  their  watchmen  lift  up  their  voice;  and  with 
the  voice  together  shall  they  sing;  for  they  shall  see  eye  to 
eye. 

71  Then  will  the  Father  gather  them  together  again,  and 
give  unto  them  Jerusalem  for  the  land  of  their  inheritance. 

72  Then  shall  they  break  forth  into  joy — sing  together  ye 
waste  places  of  Jerusalem :  for  the  Father  hath  comforted  his 
people,  he  hath  redeemed  Jerusalem. 

.    73  The  Father  hath  made  bare  his  holy  arm  in  the  eyes  of 


'Tsaiali 


CHAP.  9.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  661 

all  the  nations;  and  all  the  ends  of  the  earth  shall  see  the 
salvation  of  the  Father;  and  the  Father  and  I  are  one. 

74  And  then  shall  be  brought  to  pass  that  which  is  written, 
Awake,  awake  again,  and  put  on  thy  strength,  O  Zion;  put 
on  thy  beautiful  garments,  O  Jerusalem,  the  holy  city,  for 
henceforth  there  shall  no  more  come  into  thee  the  uncircum- 
cised  and  the  unclean. 

75  Shake  thyself  from  the  dust;  arise,  sit  down,  O  Jeru- 
salem; loose  thyself  from  the  bands  of  thy  neck,  O  captive 
daughter  of  Zion. 

76  For  thus  saith  the  Lord,  Ye  have  sold  yourselves  for 
naught;  and  ye  shall  be  redeemed  without  money. 

77  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  that  my  people  shall  know 
my  name;  yea,  in  that  day  they  shall  know  that  I  am  he  that 
doth  speak. 

78  And  then  shall  they  say.  How  beautiful  upon  the  moun- 
tains are  the  feet  of  him  that  bringeth  good  tidings  unto  them, 
that  publisheth  peace:  that  bringeth  good  tidings  unto  them 
of  good,  that  publisheth  salvation;  that  saith  unto  Zion,  Thy 
God  reigneth! 

79  And  then  shall  a  cry  go  forth,  Depart  ye,  depart  ye,  go 
ye  out  from  thence,  touch  not  that  which  is  unclean ;  go  ye 
out  of  the  midst  of  her;  be  ye  clean,  that  bear  the  vessels  of 
the  Lord. 

80  For  ye  shall  not  go  out  with  haste,  nor  go  by  flight:  for 
the  Lord  will  go  before  you;  and  the  God  of  Israel  shall  be 
your  rearward. 

81  Behold,  my  servant  shall  deal  prudently,  he  shall  be 
exalted  and  extolled,  and  be  very  high. 

82  As  many  were  astonished  at  thee;  (his  visage  was  so 
marred  more  than  any  man,  and  his  form  more  than  the  sons 
of  men,) 

83  So  shall  he  sprinkle  many  nations;  the  kings  shall  shut 
their  mouths  at  him,  for  that  which  had  been  told  them  shall 
they  see;  and  that  which  they  had  not  heard  shall  they  con- 
sider. 

84  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  All  these  things  shall 
surely  come,  even  as  the  Father  hath  commanded  me. 


662  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  9. 

85  Then  shall  this  covenant  which  the  Father  hath  cove- 
nanted with  his  people,  be  fulfilled;  and  then  shall  Jerusalem 
be  inhabited  again  with  my  people,  and  it  shall  be  the  land 
of  their  inheritance. 

86  And  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  I  give  unto  you  a  sign,  that 
ye  may  know  the  time  when  these  things  shall  be  about  to 
take  place,  that  I  shall  gather  in  from  their  long  dispersion, 
my  people,  O  house  of  Israel,  and  shall  establish  again  among 
them  my  Zion. 

87  And  behold,  this  is  the  thing  which  I  will  give  unto  you 
for  a  sign,  for  verily  I  say  unto  you,  that  when  these  things 
which  I  declare  unto  you,  and  which  I  shall  declare  unto  you 
hereafter  of  myself,  and  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
which  shall  be  given  unto  you  of  the  Father,  shall  be  made 
known  unto  the  Gentiles, 

88  That  they  may  know  concerning  this  people  who  are  a 
remnant  of  the  house  of  Jacob,  and  concerning  this  my  people 
who  shall  be  scattered  by  them; 

89  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you.  When  these  things  shall 
be  made  known  unto  them  of  the  Father,  and  shall  come  forth 
of  the  Father,  from  them  unto  you,  for  it  is  wisdom  in  the 
Father  that  they  should  be  established  in  this  land, 

90  And  be  set  up  as  a  free  people  by  the  power  of  the 
Father,  that  these  things  might  come  forth  from  them  unto  a 
remnant  of  your  seed,  that  the  covenant  of  the  Father  may  be 
fulfilled  which  he  hath  covenanted  with  his  people,  O  house 
of  Israel; 

91  Therefore,  when  these  works,  and  the  work  which  shall 
be  wrought  among  you  hereafter,  shall  come  forth  from  the 
Gentiles  unto  your  seed,  which  shall  dwindle  in  unbelief  be- 
cause of  iniquity; 

92  For  thus  it  behooveth  the  Father  that  it  should  come 
forth  from  the  Gentiles,  that  he  may  shew  forth  his  power 
unto  the  Gentiles,  for  tliis  cause,  that  the  Gentiles,  if  they  will 
not  harden  their  hearts,  that  they  may  repent  and  come  unto 
me,  and  be  baptized  in  my  name,  and  know  of  the  true  points 
of  my  doctrine,  that  they  may  be  numbered  among  my  people, 
O  house  of  Israel: 


CHAP.  9.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  663 

93  And  when  these  things  come  to  pass,  that  thy  seed  shall 
begin  to  know  these  things,  it  shall  be  a  sign  unto  them,  that 
they  may  know  that  the  work  of  the  Father  hath  already 
commenced  unto  the  fulfilling  of  the  covenant  which  he  hath 
made  unto  the  people  who  are  of  the  house  of  Israel. 

94  And  when  that  day  shall  come,  it  shall  come  to  pass  that 
kings  shall  shut  their  mouths;  for  that  which  had  not  been 
told  them  shall  they  see;  and  that  which  they  had  not  heard 
shall  they  consider. 

95  For  in  that  day,  for  my  sake  shall  the  Father  work  a 
work,  which  shall  be  a  great  and  a  marvelous  work  among 
them;  and  there  shall  be  among  them  who  will  not  believe  it, 
although  a  man  shall  declare  it  unto  them. 

96  But  behold,  the  life  of  my  servant  shall  be  in  my  hand; 
therefore  they  shall  not  hurt  him,  although  he  shall  be  marred 
because  of  them. 

97  Yet  I  will  heal  him,  for  I  will  shew  unto  them  that  my 
wisdom  is  greater  than  the  cunning  of  the  devil. 

98  Therefore  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  whosoever  will  not 
believe  in  my  words,  who  am  Jesus  Christ,  whom  the  Father 
shall  cause  him  to  bring  forth  unto  the  Gentiles,  and  shall 
give  unto  him  power  that  he  shall  bring  them  forth  unto  the 
Gentiles,  (it  shall  be  done  even  as  Moses  said,)  they  shall  be 
cut  off  from  among  my  people  who  are  of  the  covenant; 

99  And  my  people  who  are  a  remnant  of  Jacob,  shall  be 
among  the  Gentiles,  yea,  in  the  midst  of  them,  as  a  lion  among 
the  beasts  of  the  forest,  as  a  young  lion  among  the  flocks  of 
sheep,  who,  if  he  go  through  both  treadeth  down  and  teareth 
in  pieces,  and  none  can  deliver. 

100  Their  hand  shall  be  lifted  up  upon  their  adversaries, 
and  all  their  enemies  shall  be  cut  off. 

101  Yea,  wo  be  unto  the  Gentiles,  except  they  repent,  for  it 
shall  come  to  pass  in  that  day,  saith  the  Father,  that  I  will 
cut  off  thy  horses  out  of  the  midst  of  thee,  and  I  will  destroy 
thy  chariots,  and  I  will  cut  off  the  cities  of  thy  land,  and 
throw  down  all  thy  strongholds; 

102  And  I  will  cut  off  witchcrafts  out  of  thy  hand,  and  thou 
shalt  have  no  more  soothsayers: 


664  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  10. 

103  Thy  graven  images  I  will  also  cut  off,  and  thy  stand- 
ing images  out  of  the  midst  of  thee;  and  thou  shalt  no  more 
worship  the  works  of  thy  hands; 

104  And  I  will  pluck  up  thy  groves  out  of  the  midst  of 
thee;  so  will  I  destroy  thy  cities. 

105  And  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  all  lyings,  and  deceiv- 
ings,  and  envyings,  and  strifes,  and  priestcrafts  and  whore- 
doms, shall  be  done  away. 

106  For  it  shall  come  to  pass,  saith  the  Father,  that  at  that 
day,  whosoever  will  not  repent  and  come  unto  my  beloved 
Son,  them  will  I  cut  off  from  among  my  people,  O  house  of 
Israel,  and  I  will  execute  vengeance  and  fury  upon  them,  even 
as  upon  the  heathen,  such  as  they  have  not  heard. 


CHAPTER  10. 

1  ^But  if  they  will  repent,  and  hearken  unto  my  words,  and 
harden  not  their  hearts,  I  will  establish  my  church  among 
them,  and  they  shall  come  in  unto  the  covenant,  and  be  num- 
bered among  this  the  remnant  of  Jacob,  unto  whom  I  have 
given  this  land  for  their  inheritance,  and  they  shall  assist  my 
people,  the  remnant  of  Jacob; 

2  And  also,  as  many  of  the  house  of  Israel  as  shall  come, 
that  they  may  build  a  city,  which  shall  be  called  the  New 
Jerusalem; 

3  And  then  shall  they  assist  my  people  that  they  may  be 
gathered  in,  who  are  scattered  upon  all  the  face  of  the  land, 
in  unto  the  New  Jerusalem. 

4  And  then  shall  the  power  of  heaven  come  down  among 
them;  and  I  also  will  be  in  the  midst,  and  then  shall  the  work 
of  the  Father  commence,  at  that  day  even  when  this  gospel 
shall  be  preached  among  the  remnant  of  this  people. 

5  Verily,  I  say  unto  you.  At  that  day  shall  the  work  of  the 
Father  commence  among  all  the  dispersed  of  my  people;  yea, 
even  the  tribes  which  have  been  lost,  which  the  Father  hath 
led  away  out  of  Jerusalem. 

6  Yea,  the  work  shall  commence  among  all  the  dispersed  of 
my  people,  with  the  Father,  to  prepare  the  way  whereby  they 


CHAP.  10.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  665 

may  come  unto  me,  that  they  may  call  on  the  Father  in  my 
name; 

7  Yea,  and  then  shall  the  work  commence,  with  the  Father, 
among  all  nations,  in  preparing  the  way  whereby  his  people 
may  be  gathered  home  to  the  land  of  their  inheritance. 

8  And  they  shall  go  out  from  all  nations;  and  they  shall 
not  go  out  in  haste,  nor  go  by  flight;  for  I  will  go  before 
them,  saith  the  Father,  and  I  will  be  their  rearward.  And 
then  shall  that  which  is  written  come  to  pass. 

9  *Sing,  0  barren,  thou  that  didst  not  bear;  break  forth 
into  singing,  and  cry  aloud,  thou  that  didst  not  travail  with 
child;  for  more  are  the  children  of  the  desolate  than  the  chil- 
dren of  the  married  wife,  saith  the  Lord. 

10  Enlarge  the  place  of  thy  tent,  and  let  them  stretch  forth 
the  curtains  of  thy  habitations ;  spare  not,  lengthen  thy  cords, 
and  strengthen  thy  stakes; 

11  For  thou  shalt  break  forth  on  the  right  hand  and  on  the 
left;  and  thy  seed  shall  inherit  the  Gentiles,  and  make  the 
desolate  cities  to  be  inhabited. 

12  Fear  not;  for  thou  shalt  not  be  ashamed;  neither  be 
thou  confounded;  for  thou  shalt  not  be  put  to  shame;  for  thou 
shalt  forget  the  shame  of  thy  youth,  and  shalt  not  remember 
the  reproach  of  thy  widowhood  any  more. 

13  For  thy  maker,  thy  husband,  the  Lord  of  hosts  is  his 
name;  and  thy  Redeemer,  the  Holy  One  of  Israel;  the  God  of 
the  whole  earth  shall  he  be  called. 

14  For  the  Lord  hath  called  thee  as  a  woman  forsaken  and 
grieved  in  spirit,  and  a  wife  of  youth,  when  thou  wast  re- 
fused, saith  thy  God. 

15  For  a  small  moment  have  I  forsaken  thee;  but  with 
great  mercies  will  I  gather  thee. 

16  In  a  little  wrath  I  hid  my  face  from  thee  for  a  moment ; 
but  with  everlasting  kindness  will  I  have  mercy  on  thee,  saith 
the  Lord  thy  Redeemer. 

17  For  this,  the  waters  of  Noah  unto  me,  for  as  I  have 

^Isaiah  54. 


666  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  10. 

sworn  that  the  waters  of  Noah  should  no  more  go  over  the 
earth,  so  have  I  sworn  that  I  would  not  be  wroth  with  thee. 

18  For  the  mountains  shall  depart  and  the  hills  be  re- 
moved; but  my  kindness  shall  not  depart  from  thee,  neither 
shall  the  covenant  of  my  peace  be  removed,  saith  the  Lord 
that  hath  mercy  on  thee. 

19  ^O  thou  afflicted,  tossed  with  tempest,  and  not  com- 
forted! behold,  I  will  lay  thy  stones  with  fair  colors,  and  lay 
thy  foundations  with  sapphires. 

20  And  I  will  make  thy  windows  of  agates,  and  thy  gates  of 
carbuncles,  and  all  thy  borders  of  pleasant  stones. 

21  And  all  thy  children  shall  be  taught  of  the  Lord;  and 
great  shall  be  the  peace  of  thy  children. 

22  In  righteousness  shalt  thou  be  established;  thou  shalt  be 
far  from  oppression,  for  thou  shalt  not  fear ;  and  from  terror, 
for  it  shall  not  come  near  thee. 

23  Behold,  they  shall  surely  gather  together  against  thee, 
not  by  me;  whosoever  shall  gather  together  against  thee  shall 
fall  for  thy  sake. 

24  Behold,  I  have  created  the  smith  that  bloweth  the  coals 
in  the  fire;  and  that  bringeth  forth  an  instrument  for  his 
work ;  and  I  have  created  the  waster  to  destroy. 

25  No  weapon  that  is  formed  against  thee  shall  prosper; 
and  every  tongue  that  shall  revile  against  thee  in  judgment 
thou  shalt  condemn.  This  is  the  heritage  of  the  servants  of 
the  Lord,  and  their  righteousness  is  of  me,  saith  the  Lord. 

26  And  now  behold  I  say  unto  you,  that  ye  had  ought  to 
search  these  things. 

27  Yea,  a  commandment  I  give  unto  you,  that  ye  search 
these  things  diligently;  for  great  are  the  words  of  Isaiah. 

28  For  surely  he  spake  as  touching  all  things  concerning 
my  people  which  are  of  the  house  of  Israel;  therefore  it  must 
needs  be  that  he  must  speak  also  to  the  Gentiles. 

29  And  all  things  that  he  spake,  hath  been,  and  shall  be, 
even  according  to  the  words  which  he  spake. 

30  Therefore  give  heed  to  my  words;  write  the  things 
which  I  have  told  you,  and  according  to  the  time  and  the  will 
of  the  Father,  they  shall  go  forth  unto  the  Gentiles. 


CHAP.  11.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  6^7 

31  And  whosoever  will  hearken  unto  my  words,  and  re- 
penteth,  and  is  baptized,  the  same  shall  be  saved. 

32  Search  the  prophets,  for  many  there  be  that  testify  of 
these  things. 

33  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  .when  Jesus  had  said  these 
words,  he  said  unto  them  again,  after  he  had  expounded  all 
the  scriptures  unto  them  which  they  had  received,  he  said 
unto  them.  Behold,  other  scriptures  I  would  that  ye  should 
write,  that  ye  have  not. 

34  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  said  unto  Nephi,  Bring 
forth  the  record  which  ye  have  kept. 

35  And  when  Nephi  had  brought  forth  the  records,  and 
laid  them  before  him,  he  cast  his  eyes  upon  them,  and  said, 

36  Verily,  I  say  unto  you,  I  commanded  my  servant  Sam- 
uel, the  Lamanite,  that  he  should  testify  unto  this  people,  that 
at  the  day  that  the  Father  should  glorify  his  name  in  me, 
that  there  were  many  saints  who  should  arise  from  the  dead, 
and  should  appear  unto  many,  and  should  minister  unto  them. 

37  And  he  said  unto  them.  Were  it  not  so? 

38  And  his  disciples  answered  him  and  said.  Yea,  Lord, 
Samuel  did  prophesy  according  to  thy  words,  and  they  were 
all  fulfilled. 

39  And  Jesus  said  unto  them.  How  be  it  that  ye  have  not 
written  this  thing,  that  many  saints  did  arise  and  appear  unto 
many,  and  did  minister  unto  them? 

40  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Nephi  remembered  that  this 
thing  had  not  been  written. 

41  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Jesus  commanded  that  it 
should  be  written;  therefore  it  was  written  according  as  he 
commanded. 


CHAPTER  11. 

1  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Jesus  had  expounded 
all  the  scriptures  in  one,  which  they  had  written,  he  com- 
manded them  that  they  should  teach  the  things  which  he  had 
expounded  unto  them. 

2  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  commanded  them  that  they 


668  BOOK    OF    NEPHL  L<^'HAr.   11. 

should   write   the   words   which   the   Father   had   given   unto 
Malachi,  which  he  should  tell  unto  them. 

3  And  it  came  to  pass  that  after  they  were  written,  he  ex- 
pounded them. 

4  And  these  are  the  words  which  he  did  tell  unto  them, 
saying,  Thus  said  the  Father  unto  Malachi,^  Behold,  I  will 
send  my  messenger,  and  he  shall  prepare  the  way  before  me., 
and  the  Lord,  whom  ye  seek,  shall  suddenly  come  to  his  tem- 
ple, even  the  messenger  of  the  covenant,  whom  ye  delight  in; 
behold,  he  shall  come,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts. 

5  But  who  may  abide  the  day  of  his  coming?  and  who 
shall  stand  when  he  appeareth?  for  he  is  like  a  refiner's  fire, 
and  like  fuller's  soap. 

6  And  he  shall  sit  as  a  refiner  and  purifier  of  silver;  and 
he  shall  purify  the  sons  of  Levi,  and  purge  them  as  gold  and 
silver,  that  they  may  offer  unto  the  Lord  an  offering  in  right- 
eousness. 

7  Then  shall  the  offering  of  Judah  and  Jerusalem  be  pleas- 
ant unto  the  Lord,  as  in  the  days  of  old,  and  as  in  former 
years. 

8  And  I  will  come  near  to  you  to  judgment;  and  I  will  be 
a  swift  witness  against  the  sorcerers,  and  against  the  adul- 
terers, and  against  false  swearers,  and  against  those  that 
oppress  the  hireling  in  his  wages,  the  widow,  and  the  father- 
less, and  that  turn  aside  the  stranger,  and  fear  not  me  saith 
the  Lord  of  hosts. 

9  For  I  am  the  Lord,  I  change  not;  therefore  ye  sons  of 
Jacob  are  not  consumed. 

10  ^Even  from  the  days  of  your  fathers  ye  are  gone  away 
from  mine  ordinances,  and  have  not  kept  them.  Return  unto 
me,  and  I  will  return  unto  you,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts.  But 
ye  said.  Wherein  shall  we  return? 

11  ^Will  a  man  rob  God?  Yet  ye  have  robbed  me.  But  ye 
say.  Wherein  have  we  robbed  thee?     In  tithes  and  offerings. 

12  Ye  are  cursed  with  a  curse,  for  ye  have  robbed  me,  even 
this  whole  nation. 

^Malachi   3. 


CHAF.   11.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  669 

13  Bring  ye  all  the  tithes  into  the  storehouse,  that  there 
may  be  meat  in  my  house,  and  prove  me  now  herewith,  saith 
the  Lord  of  hosts,  if  I  will  not  open  you  the  windows  of 
heaven,  and  pour  you  out  a  blessing,  that  there  shall  not  be 
room  enough  to  receive  it. 

14  And  I  will  rebuke  the  devourer  for  your  sakes,  and  he 
shall  not  destroy  the  fruits  of  your  ground;  neither  shall 
your  vine  cast  her  fruit  before  the  time  in  the  fields,  saith  the 
Lord  of  hosts: 

15  And  all  nations  shall  call  you  blessed,  for  ye  shall  be  a 
delightsome  land,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts. 

16  Your  words  have  been  stout  against  me,  saith  the  Lord. 
Yet  ye  say.  What  have  we  spoken  against  thee? 

17  Ye  have  said.  It  is  vain  to  serve  God,  and  what  doth  it 
profit  that  we  have  kept  his  ordinances,  and  that  we  have 
walked  mournfully  before  the  Lord  of  hosts? 

18  And  now  we  call  the  proud  happy,  yea,  they  that  work 
wickedness  are  set  up;  yea,  them  that  tempt  God  are  even 
delivered. 

19  ^Then  they  that  feared  the  Lord  spake  often  one  to 
another,  and  the  Lord  hearkened,  and  heard;  and  a  book  of 
remembrance  was  written  before  him  for  them  that  feared 
the  Lord,  and  that  thought  upon  his  name. 

20  And  they  shall  be  mine,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts,  in  that 
day  when  I  make  up  my  jewels;  and  I  will  spare  them,  as  a 
man  spareth  his  own  son  that  serveth  him. 

21  Then  shall  ye  return  and  discern  between  the  righteous 
and  the  wicked,  between  him  that  serveth  God,  and  him  that 
serveth  him  not. 

22  -For  behold,  the  day  cometh,  that  shall  burn  as  an 
oven;  and  all  the  proud,  yea,  and  all  that  do  wickedly,  shall 
be  stubble;  and  the  day  that  cometh  shall  burn  them  up,  saith 
the  Lord  of  hosts,  that  it  shall  leave  them  neither  root  nor 
branch. 

23  TJBut  unto  you  that  fear  my  name,   shall   the   Son  of 

"Malachi    :. 


670  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  11. 

righteousness  arise  with  healing  in  his  v/ings;  and  ye  shall 
go  forth  and  grow  up  as  calves  of  the  stall. 

24  And  ye  shall  tread  down  the  wicked;  for  they  shall  be 
ashes  under  the  soles  of  your  feet  in  the  day  that  I  shall  do 
this,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts. 

25  Remember  ye  the  law  of  Moses  my  servant,  which  I 
commanded  unto  him  in  Horeb  for  all  Israel,  with  the  statutes 
and  judgments. 

26  Behold,  I  will  send  you  Elijah,  the  propliet,  before  the 
coming  of  the  great  and  dreadful  day  of  the  Lord; 

27  And  he  shall  turn  the  heart  of  the  fathers  to  the  chil- 
dren, and  the  heart  of  the  children  to  their  fathers,  lest  I 
come  and  smite  the  earth  with  a  curse. 

28  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Jesus  had  told 
these  things,  he  expounded  them  unto  the  multitude,  and  he 
did  expound  all  things  unto  them,  both  great  and  small. 

29  And  he  saith.  These  scriptures  which  ye  had  not  with 
you,  the  Father  commanded  that  I  should  give  unto  you,  for 
it  was  wisdom  in  him  that  they  should  be  given  unto  future 
generations. 

30  And  he  did  expound  all  things,  even  from  the  beginning 
until  the  time  that  he  should  come  in  his  glory; 

31  Yea,  even  all  things  which  should  come  upon  the  face 
of  the  earth,  even  until  the  elements  should  melt  with  fervent 
heat,  and  the  earth  should  be  wrapped  together  as  a  scroll, 
and  the  heavens  and  the  earth  should  pass  away; 

32  And  even  unto  the  great  and  last  day,  when  all  people, 
and  all  kindreds,  and  all  nations  and  tongues  shall  stand  be- 
fore God,  to  be  judged  of  their  works,  whether  they  be  good 
or  whether  they  be  evil; 

33  If  they  be  good,  to  the  resurrection  of  everlasting  life; 
and  if  they  be  evil,  to  the  resurrection  of  damnation,  being 
on  a  parallel,  the  one  on  the  one  hand,  and  the  other  on  the 
other  hand,  according  to  the  mercy,  and  the  justice,  and  the 
holiness  which  is  in  Christ,  who  was  before  the  world  began. 


CHAP.  12.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  671 

CHAPTER  12. 

1  ^And  now  there  can  not  be  written  in  this  book,  even  a 
hundredth  part  of  the  things  which  Jesus  did  truly  teach  unto 
the  people;  but  behold  the  plates  of  Nephi  do  contain  the 
more  part  of  the  things  which  he  taught  the  people; 

2  And  these  things  have  I  written,  which  are  a  lesser  part 
of  the  things  which  he  taught  the  people;  and  I  have  written 
them  to  the  intent  that  they  may  be  brought  again  unto  this 
people,  from  the  Gentiles,  according  to  the  words  which  Jesus 
hath  spoken. 

3  And  when  they  shall  have  received  this,  which  is  expe- 
dient that  they  should  have  first,  to  try  their  faith,  and  if  it 
shall  so  be  that  they  shall  believe  these  things,  then  shall  the 
greater  things  be  made  manifest  unto  them. 

4  And  if  it  so  be  that  they  will  not  believe  these  things, 
then  shall  the  greater  things  be  withheld  from  them,  unto 
their  condemnation. 

5  Behold  I  were  about  to  write  them  all  which  were  en- 
graven upon  the  plates  of  Nephi,  but  the  Lord  forbid  it,  say- 
ing, I  will  try  the  faith  of  my  people;  therefore  I,  Mormon, 
do  write  the  things  which  have  been  commanded  me  of  the 
Lord. 

6  And  now  I,  Mormon,  make  an  end  of  my  sayings,  and 
proceed  to  write  the  things  which  have  been  commanded  me; 
therefore  I  would  that  ye  should  behold  that  the  Lord  truly 
did  teach  the  people,  for  the  space  of  three  days;  and  after 
that,  he  did  shew  himself  unto  them  oft,  and  did  break  bread 
oft,  and  bless  it,  and  give  it  unto  them. 

7  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  did  teach  and  minister  unto 
the  children  of  the  multitude  of  whom  hath  been  spoken,  and 
he  did  loose  their  tongues,  and  they  did  speak  unto  their 
fathers  great  and  marvelous  things,  even  greater  than  he  had 
revealed  unto  the  people,  and  loosed  their  tongues  that  they 
could  utter. 

8  And  it  came  to  pass  that  after  he  had  ascended  into 
heaven  the  second  time,  that  he  shewed  himself  unto  them, 
and  had  gone  unto  the  Father,  after  having  healed  all  their 


672  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  12. 

sick,  and  their  lame,  and  opened  the  eyes  of  their  blind,  and 
unstopped  the  ears  of  the  deaf,  and  even  had  done  all  man- 
ner of  cures  among  them,  and  raised  a  man  from  the  dead, 
and  had  shewn  forth  his  power  unto  them,  and  had  ascended 
unto  the  Father, 

9  Behold,  it  came  to  pass  on  the  morrow,  that  the  multitude 
gathered  themselves  together,  and  they  both  saw  and  heard 
these  children;  yea,  even  babes  did  open  their  mouths,  and 
utter  marvelous  things;  and  the  things  which  they  did  utter 
were  forbidden  that  there  should  not  any  man  write  them. 

10  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  disciples  whom  Jesus  had 
chosen,  began  from  that  time  forth  to  baptize  and  to  teach  as 
many  as  did  come  unto  them:  and  as  many  as  were  baptized 
in  the  name  of  Jesus  were  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost. 

11  And  many  of  them  saw  and  heard  unspeakable  things, 
which  are  not  lawful  to  be  written:  and  they  taught,  and  did 
minister  one  to  another;  and  they  had  all  things  common 
among  them,  every  man  dealing  justly,  one  with  another. 

12  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  do  all  things,  even  as 
Jesus  had  commanded  them. 

13  And  they  who  were  baptized  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  were 
called  the  church  of  Christ. 

14  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  as  the  disciples  of  Jesus  were 
journeying  and  were  preaching  the  things  which  they  had 
both  heard  and  seen,  and  were  baptizing  in  the  name  of  Jesus, 
it  came  to  pass  that  the  disciples  were  gathered  together,  and 
were  united  in  mighty  prayer  and  fasting. 

15  And  Jesus  again  shewed  himself  unto  them,  for  they 
were  praying  unto  the  Father,  in  his  name;  and  Jesus  came 
and  stood  in  the  midst  of  them,  and  said  unto  them.  What  will 
ye  that  I  shall  give  unto  you? 

16  And  they  said  unto  him,  Lord,  we  will  that  thou  wouldst 
tell  us  the  name  whereby  we  shall  call  this  church;  for  there 
are  disputations  among  the  people  concerning  this  matter. 

17  And  the  Lord  said  unto  them.  Verily,  verily  I  say  unto 
you.  Why  is  it  that  the  people  should  murmur  and  dispute  be- 
cause  of  this  thing? 

18  Have  they  not  read  the  scriptures,  which  say.  Ye  must 


CHAP.   12.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  673 

take  upon  you  the  name  of  Christ,  which  is  my  name?  for  by 
this  name  shall  ye  be  called  at  the  last  day;  and  whoso  tak- 
eth  upon  him  my  name,  and  endureth  to  the  end,  the  same 
shall  be  saved  at  the  last  day; 

19  Therefore,  whatsoever  ye  shall  do,  ye  shall  do  it  in  my 
name;  therefore  ye  shall  call  the  church  in  my  name;  and  ye 
shall  call  upon  the  Father  in  my  name,  that  he  will  bless  the 
church  for  my  sake;  and  how  be  it  my  church,  save  it  be 
called  in  my  name? 

20  For  if  a  church  be  called  in  Moses'  name,  then  it  be 
Moses'  church;  or  if  it  be  called  in  the  name  of  a  man,  then 
it  be  the  church  of  a  man;  but  if  it  be  called  in  my  name, 
then  it  is  my  church,  if  it  so  be  that  they  are  built  upon  my 
gospel. 

21  Verily  I  say  unto  you,  that  ye  are  built  upon  my  gos- 
pel ;  therefore  ye  shall  call  whatsoever  things  ye  do  call  in  my 
name;  therefore  if  ye  call  upon  the  Father,  for  the  church, 
if  it  be  in  my  name,  the  Father  will  hear  you; 

22  And  if  it  so  be  that  the  church  is  built  upon  my  gospel, 
then  will  the  Father  shew  forth  his  own  works  in  it; 

23  But  if  it  be  not  built  upon  my  gospel,  and  is  built  upon 
the  works  of  men,  or  upon  the  works  of  the  devil,  verily  I  say 
unto  you.  They  have  joy  in  their  works  for  a  season,  and  by 
and  by  the  end  cometh,  and  they  are  hewn  down  and  cast 
into  the  fire,  from  whence  there  is  no  return; 

24  For  their  works  do  follow  them,  for  it  is  because  of  their 
works  that  they  are  hewn  down;  therefore  remember  the 
things  that  I  have  told  you. 

25  Behold  I  have  given  unto  you  my  gospel,  and  this  is  the 
gospel  which  I  have  given  unto  you,  that  I  came  into  the 
world  to  do  the  will  of  my  Father,  because  my  Father  sent 
me; 

26  And  my  Father  sent  me  that  I  might  be  lifted  up  upon 
the  cross;  and  after  that  I  had  been  lifted  up  upon  the  cross, 
I  might  draw  all  men  unto  me: 

27  That  as  I  have  been  lifted  up  by  men,  even  so  should 
men  be  lifted  up  by  the  Father,  to  stand  before  me,  to  be 


674  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  13. 

judged  of  their  works,  whether  they  be  good  or  whether  they 
be  evil; 

28  And  for  this  cause  have  I  been  lifted  up;  therefore,  ac- 
cording to  the  power  of  the  Father,  I  will  draw  all  men  unto 
me,  that  they  may  be  judged  according  to  their  works. 

29  And  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  whoso  repenteth  and  is 
baptized  in  my  name,  shall  be  filled;  and  if  he  endureth  to 
the  end,  behold,  him  will  I  hold  guiltless  before  my  Father, 
at  that  day  when  I  shall  stand  to  judge  the  world. 

30  And  he  that  endureth  not  unto  the  end,  the  same  is  he 
that  is  also  hewn  down  and  cast  into  the  fire,  from  whence 
they  can  no  more  return,  because  of  the  justice  of  the  Father : 
and  this  is  the  word  which  he  hath  given  unto  the  children 
of  men. 

31  And  for  this  cause  he  fulfilleth  the  words  which  he  hath 
given,  and  he  lieth  not,  but  fulfilleth  all  his  words;  and  no 
unclean  thing  can  enter  into  his  kingdom; 

32  Therefore  nothing  entereth  into  his  rest,  save  it  be 
those  who  have  washed  their  garments  in  my  blood,  because 
of  their  faith,  and  the  repentance  of  all  their  sins,  and  their 
faithfulness  unto  the  end. 

33  Now  this  is  the  commandment.  Repent,  all  ye  ends  of 
the  earth,  and  come  unto  me  and  be  baptized  in  my  name, 
that  ye  may  be  sanctified  by  the  reception  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
that  ye  may  stand  spotless  before  me  at  the  last  day. 

34  Verily,  verily  I  say  unto  you.  This  is  my  gospel;  and  ye 
know  the  things  that  ye  must  do  in  my  church ;  for  the  works 
which  ye  have  seen  me  do,  that  shall  ye  also  do; 

35  For  that  which  ye  have  seen  me  do,  even  that  shall  ye 
do;  therefore  if  ye  do  these  things,  blessed  are  ye,  for  ye 
shall  be  lifted  up  at  the  last  day. 


CHAPTER  13. 
1  ^Write  the  things  which  ye  have  seen  and  heard,  save 
it  be  those  which  are  forbidden;  write  the  works  of  this  peo- 
ple, which  shall  be  even  as  hath  been  written  of  that  which 
hath  been; 


CHAP.  13.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  675 

2  For  behold,  out  of  the  books  which  have  been  written, 
and  which  shall  be  written,  shall  this  people  be  judged,  for 
by  them  shall  their  works  be  known  unto  men. 

3  And  behold,  all  things  are  written  by  the  Father;  there- 
fore out  of  the  books  which  shall  be  written,  shall  the  world 
be  judged. 

4  And  know  ye  that  ye  shall  be  judges  of  this  people,  ac- 
cording to  the  judgment  which  I  shall  give  unto  you,  which 
shall  be  just; 

5  Therefore  what  manner  of  men  had  ye  ought  to  be? 
Verily  I  say  unto  you.  Even  as  I  am.  And  now  I  go  unto  the 
Father. 

6  And  verily  I  say  unto  you,  Whatsoever  things  ye  shall 
ask  the  Father,  in  my  name,  it  shall  be  given  unto  you; 
therefore  ask,  and  ye  shall  receive;  knock,  and  it  shall  be 
opened  unto  you;  for  he  that  asketh,  receiveth,  and  unto  him 
that  knocketh,  it  shall  be  opened. 

7  And  now  behold,  my  joy  is  great,  even  unto  fullness,  be- 
cause of  you,  and  also  this  generation;  yea,  and  even  the 
Father  rejoiceth,  and  also  all  the  holy  angels,  because  of  you 
and  this  generation;  for  none  of  them  are  lost. 

8  Behold,  I  would  that  ye  should  understand;  for  I  mean 
them  who  are  now  alive,  of  this  generation;  and  none  of 
them  are  lost;  and  in  them  I  have  fullness  of  joy. 

9  But  behold,  it  sorroweth  me  because  of  the  fourth  gen- 
eration from  this  generation,  for  they  are  led  away  captive 
by  him,  even  as  was  the  son  of  perdition;  for  they  will  sell 
me  for  silver,  and  for  gold,  and  for  that  which  moth  doth  cor- 
rupt, and  which  thieves  can  break  through  and  steal. 

10  And  in  that  day  will  I  visit  them,  even  in  turning  their 
works  upon  their  own  heads. 

11  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Jesus  had  ended  these 
sayings,  he  saith  unto  his  disciples.  Enter  ye  in  at  the 
straight  gate;  for  straight  is  the  gate  and  narrow  is  the  way 
that  leads  to  life,  and  few  there  be  that  find  it,  but  wide  is 
the  gate,  and  broad  the  way  which  leads  to  death,  and  many 
there  be  that  travel  therein,  until  the  night  cometh,  wherein 
no  man  can  work. 


676  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  13. 

12  ^And  it  came  to  pass  when  Jesus  had  said  these  words, 
he  spake  unto  his  disciples,  one  by  one,  saying  unto  them. 
What  is  it  that  ye  desire  of  me  after  that  I  am  gone  to  the 
Father? 

13  And  they  all  spake,  save  it  were  three,  saying,  We  de- 
sire that  after  we  have  lived  unto  the  age  of  man,  that  our 
ministry,  wherein  thou  hast  called  us,  may  have  an  end,  that 
we  may  speedily  come  unto  thee,  in  thy  kingdom. 

14  And  he  said  unto  them.  Blessed  are  ye,  because  ye  de- 
sire this  thing  of  me;  therefore  after  that  ye  are  seventy 
and  two  years  old,  ye  shall  come  unto  me  in  my  kingdom,  and 
with  me  ye  shall  find  rest. 

15  And  when  he  had  spoken  unto  them,  he  turned  himself 
unto  the  three,  and  said  unto  them.  What  will  ye  that  I 
should  do  unto  you,  when  I  am  gone  unto  the  Father? 

16  And  they  sorrowed  in  their  hearts,  for  they  durst  not 
speak  unto  him  the  thing  which  they  desired. 

17  And  he  said  unto  them.  Behold,  I  know  your  thoughts, 
and  ye  have  desired  the  thing  which  John,  my  beloved,  who 
was  with  me  in  my  ministry,  before  that  I  was  lifted  up  by 
the  Jews,  desired  of  me; 

18  Therefore  more  blessed  are  ye,  for  ye  shall  never  taste 
of  death,  but  ye  shall  live  to  behold  all  the  doings  of  the 
Father,  unto  the  children  of  men,  even  until  all  things  shall 
be  fulfilled,  according  to  the  will  of  the  Father,  when  I  shall 
come  in  my  glory,  with  the  powers  of  heaven; 

19  And  ye  shall  never  endure  the  pains  of  death;  but  when 
I  shall  come  in  my  glory,  ye  shall  be  changed  in  the  twink- 
ling of  an  eye,  from  mortality  to  immortality;  and  then  shall 
ye  be  blessed  in  the  kingdom  of  my  Father. 

20  And  again,  ye  shall  not  have  pain  while  ye  shall  dwell 
in  the  flesh,  neither  sorrow,  save  it  be  for  the  sins  of  the 
world ; 

21  And  all  this  will  I  do  because  of  the  thing  which  ye 
have  desired  of  me,  for  ye  have  desired  that  ye  might  bring 
the  souls  of  men  unto  me,  while  the  world  shall  stand;  and 
for  this  cause  ye  shall  have  fullness  of  joy;  and  ye  shall  sit 
down  in  the  kingdom  of  my  Father; 


CHAP.  13.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  677 

22  Yea,  your  joy  shall  be  full,  even  as  the  Father  hath 
given  me  fullness  of  joy;  and  ye  shall  be  even  as  I  am,  and  I 
am  even  as  the  Father;  and  the  Father  and  I  are  one; 

23  And  the  Holy  Ghost  beareth  record  of  the  Father  and 
me;  and  the  Father  giveth  the  Holy  Ghost  unto  the  children 
of  men,  because  of  me. 

24  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Jesus  had  spoken  these 
words,  he  touched  every  one  of  them  with  his  finger,  save  it 
were  the  three  who  were  to  tarry,  and  then  he  departed. 

25  And  behold,  the  heavens  were  opened,  and  they  were 
caught  up  into  heaven,  and  saw  and  heard  unspeakable 
things. 

26  And  it  was  forbidden  them  that  they  should  utter: 
neither  was  it  given  unto  them  power  that  they  could  utter 
the  things  which  they  saw  and  heard; 

27  And  whether  they  were  in  the  body  or  out  of  the  body, 
they  could  not  tell;  for  it  did  seem  unto  them  like  a  trans- 
figuration of  them,  that  they  were  changed  from  this  body 
of  flesh,  into  an  immortal  state,  that  they  could  behold  the 
things  of  God. 

28  But  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  again  minister  upon 
the  face  of  the  earth;  nevertheless  they  did  not  minister  of 
the  things  which  they  had  heard  and  seen,  because  of  the 
commandment  which  was  given  them  in  heaven. 

29  And  now  whether  they  were  mortal  or  immortal,  from 
the  day  of  their  transfiguration,  I  know  not;  but  this  much  I 
know,  according  to  the  record  which  hath  been  given,  they 
did  go  forth  upon  the  face  of  the  land,  and  did  minister  unto 
all  the  people,  uniting  as  many  to  the  church  as  would  be- 
lieve in  their  preaching;  baptizing  them; 

30  And  as  many  as  were  baptized,  did  receive  the  Holy 
Ghost;  and  they  were  cast  into  prison  by  them  who  did  not 
belong  to  the  church. 

31  And  the  prisons  could  not  hold  them,  for  they  were  rent 
in  twain,  and  they  were  cast  down  into  the  earth. 

32  But  they  did  smite  the  earth  with  the  word  of  God,  in- 
somuch that  by  his  power  they  were  delivered  out  of  the 


678  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  13. 

depths  of  the  earth;  and  therefore  they  could  not  dig  pits 
sufficient  to  hold  them. 

33  And  thrice  they  were  cast  into  a  furnace,  and  received 
no  harm. 

34  And  twice  they  were  cast  into  a  den  of  wild  beasts;  and 
behold  they  did  play  with  the  beasts,  as  a  child  with  a  suck- 
ling lamb,  and  received  no  harm. 

35  And  it  came  to  pass  that  thus  they  did  go  forth  among 
all  the  people  of  Nephi,  and  did  preach  the  gospel  of  Christ 
unto  all  people  upon  the  face  of  the  land; 

36  And  they  were  converted  unto  the  Lord,  and  were  united 
unto  the  church  of  Christ,  and  thus  the  people  of  that  gene- 
ration were  blessed,  according  to  the  word  of  Jesus. 

37  And  now  I,  Mormon,  make  an  end  of  speaking  concern- 
ing these  things,  for  a  time. 

38  Behold,  I  was  about  to  write  the  names  of  those  who 
were  never  to  taste  of  death;  but  the  Lord  forbade,  therefore 
I  write  them  not  for  they  are  hid  from  the  world. 

39  But  behold  I  have  seen  them,  and  they  have  ministered 
unto  me;  and  behold  they  will  be  among  the  Gentiles,  and  the 
Gentiles  knoweth  them  not. 

40  They  will  also  be  among  the  Jews,  and  the  Jews  shall 
know  them  not. 

41  IJAnd  it  shall  come  to  pass,  when  the  Lord  seeth  fit  in 
his  wisdom,  that  they  shall  minister  unto  all  the  scattered 
tribes  of  Israel,  and  unto  all  nations,  kindreds,  tongues  and 
people,  and  shall  bring  out  of  them  unto  Jesus  many  souls, 
that  their  desire  may  be  fulfilled,  and  also  because  of  the 
convincing  power  of  God  which  is  in  them; 

42  And  they  are  as  the  angels  of  God,  and  if  they  shall 
pray  unto  the  Father  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  they  can  shew 
themselves  unto  whatsoever  man  it  seemeth  them  good; 

43  Therefore  great  and  marvelous  works  shall  be  wrought 
by  them,  before  the  great  and  coming  day,  when  all  people 
must  surely  stand  before  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ; 

44  Yea,  even  among  the  Gentiles  shall  there  be  a  great  and 
marvelous  work  wrought  by  them,  before  that  judgment  day. 

45  And  if  ye  had  all  the  scriptures  which  give  an  account 


CHAP.  13.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  679 

of  all  the  marvelous  works  of  Christ,  ye  would,  according  to 
the  words  of  Christ,  know  that  these  things  must  surely  come. 

46  And  wo  be  unto  him  that  will  not  hearken  unto  the 
words  of  Jesus,  and  also  to  them  whom  he  hath  chosen  and 
sent  among  them, 

47  For  whoso  receiveth  not  the  words  of  Jesus,  and  the 
words  of  those  whom  he  hath  sent,  receiveth  not  him;  and 
therefore  he  will  not  receive  them  at  the  last  day;  and  it 
would  be  better  for  them  if  they  had  not  been  born. 

48  For  do  ye  suppose  that  ye  can  get  rid  of  the  justice  of 
an  offended  God,  who  hath  been  trampled  under  feet  of  men, 
that  thereby  salvation  might  come? 

49  And  now  behold,  as  I  spake  concerning  those  whom  the 
Lord  had  chosen,  yea,  even  three  who  were  caught  up  into  the 
heavens,  that  I  knew  not  whether  they  were  cleansed  from 
mortality  to  immortality. 

50  But  behold,  since  I  wrote,  I  have  inquired  of  the  Lord, 
and  he  hath  made  it  manifest  unto  me,  that  there  must  needs 
be  a  change  wrought  upon  their  bodies,  or  else  it  needs  be 
that  they  must  taste  of  death; 

51  Therefore  that  they  might  not  taste  of  death,  there  was 
a  change  wrought  upon  their  bodies,  that  they  might  not  suf- 
fer pain  nor  sorrow,  save  it  were  for  the  sins  of  the  world. 

52  Now  this  change  was  not  equal  to  that  which  should 
take  place  at  the  last  day;  but  there  was  a  change  wrought 
upon  them,  insomuch  that  Satan  could  have  no  power  over 
them,  that  he  could  not  tempt  them,  and  they  were  sanctified 
in  the  flesh,  that  they  were  holy,  and  that  the  powers  of  the 
earth  could  not  hold  them; 

53  And  in  this  state  they  were  to  remain  until  the  judg- 
ment day  of  Christ;  and  at  that  day  they  were  to  receive  a 
greater  change,  and  to  be  received  into  the  kingdom  of  the 
Father  to  go  no  more  out,  but  to  dwell  with  God  eternally  in 
the  heavens. 

54  And  now  behold,  I  say  unto  you,  that  when  the  Lord 
shall  see  fit,  in  his  wisdom,  that  these  sayings  shall  come  unto 
the  Gentiles,  according  to  his  word,  then  ye  may  know  that 
the  covenant  which  the  Father  hath  made  with  the  children 


680  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  13. 

of  Israel,  concerning  their  restoration  to  the  lands  of  their 
inheritance,  is  already  beginning  to  be  fulfilled; 

55  And  ye  may  know  that  the  words  of  the  Lord,  which 
have  been  spoken  by  the  holy  prophets,  shall  all  be  fulfilled; 
and  ye  need  not  say  that  the  Lord  delays  his  coming  unto  the 
children  of  Israel; 

56  And  ye  need  not  imagine  in  your  hearts  that  the  words 
which  have  been  spoken  are  vain,  for  behold,  the  Lord  will 
remember  his  covenant  which  he  hath  made  unto  his  people 
of  the  house  of  Israel. 

57  And  when  ye  shall  see  these  sayings  coming  forth  among 
you,  then  ye  need  not  any  longer  spurn  at  the  doings  of  the 
Lord,  for  the  sword  of  his  justice  is  in  his  right  hand,  and 
behold  at  that  day,  if  ye  shall  spurn  at  his  doings,  he  will 
cause  that  it  shall  soon  overtake  you. 

58  Wo  unto  him  that  spurneth  at  the  doings  of  the  Lord; 
yea,  wo  unto  him  that  shall  deny  the  Christ  and  his  works; 

59  Yea,  wo  unto  him  that  shall  deny  the  revelations  of  the 
Lord,  and  that  shall  say.  The  Lord  no  longer  worketh  by  reve- 
lation, or  by  prophecy,  or  by  gifts,  or  by  tongues,  or  by  heal- 
ings, or  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost; 

60  Yea,  and  wo  unto  him  that  shall  say  at  that  day,  that 
there  can  be  no  miracle  wrought  by  Jesus  Christ,  to  get  gain; 
for  he  that  doeth  this,  shall  become  like  unto  the  son  of  per- 
dition, for  whom  there  was  no  mercy,  according  to  the  word 
of  Christ. 

61  Yea,  and  ye  need  not  any  longer  hiss,  nor  spurn,  nor 
make  game  of  the  Jews,  nor  any  of  the  remnant  of  the  house 
of  Israel,  for  behold  the  Lord  remembereth  his  covenant  unto 
them,  and  he  will  do  unto  them  according  to  that  which  he 
hath  sworn; 

62  Therefore  ye  need  not  suppose  that  ye  can  turn  the 
right  hand  of  the  Lord  unto  the  left,  that  he  may  not  execute 
judgment  unto  the  fulfilling  of  the  covenant  which  he  hath 
made  unto  the  house  of  Israel. 


CHAPS.   14,   1.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  681 

CHAPTER  14. 

1  ^Hearken,  0,  ye  Gentiles,  and  hear  the  words  of  Jesus 
Christ,  the  Son  of  the  living  God,  which  he  hath  commanded 
me  that  I  should  speak  concerning  you,  for,  behold  he  com- 
mandeth  me  that  I  should  write,  saying, 

2  Turn  all  ye  Gentiles,  from  your  wicked  ways,  and  repent 
of  your  evil  doings,  of  your  lyings  and  deceivings,  and  of  your 
whoredoms,  and  of  your  secret  abominations,  and  your  idola- 
tries, and  of  your  murders,  and  your  priestcrafts,  and  your 
envyings,  and  your  strifes,  and  from  all  your  wickedness  and 
abominations, 

3  And  come  unto  me,  and  be  baptized  in  my  name,  that  ye 
may  receive  a  remission  of  your  sins,  and  be  filled  with  the 
Holy  Ghost,  that  ye  may  be  numbered  with  my  people,  who 
are  of  the  house  of  Israel. 


THE  BOOK  OF  NEPHI 

WHO    IS   THE    SON    OF    NEPHI,   ONE   OF   THE    DISCIPLES   Off   JESUS 

CHRIST. 


CHAPTER  1. 
An  account  of  the  people  of  Nephi,  according  to  his  record. 

1  TIAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  thirty  and  fourth  year 
passed  away,  and  also  the  thirty  and  fifth,  and  behold  the 
disciples  of  Jesus  had  formed  a  church  of  Christ  in  all  the 
lands  round  about. 

2  And  as  many  as  did  come  unto  them,  and  did  truly  re- 
pent of  their  sins,  were  baptized  in  the  name  of  Jesus;  and 
they  did  also  receive  the  Holy  Ghost. 

3  lIAnd  it  came  to  pass  in  the  thirty  and  sixth  year,  the 
people  were  all  converted  unto  the  Lord,  upon  all  the  face  of 
the  land,  both  Nephites  and  Lamanites,  and  there  were  no 
contentions  and  disputations  among  them,  and  every  man  did 
deal  justly  one  with  another; 


682  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  1. 

4  And  they  had  all  things  common  among  them,  therefore 
there  were  not  rich  and  poor,  bond  and  free,  biTt  they  were 
all  made  free,  and  partakers  of  the  heavenly  gift. 

5  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  thirty  and  seventh  year 
passed  away  also,  and  there  still  continued  to  be  peace  in  the 
land. 

6  And  there  were  great  and  marvelous  works  wrought  by 
the  disciples  of  Jesus,  insomuch  that  they  did  heal  the  sick, 
and  raise  the  dead,  and  cause  the  lame  to  walk,  and  the  blind 
to  receive  their  sight,  and  the  deaf  to  hear; 

7  And  all  manner  of  miracles  did  they  work  among  the 
children  of  men;  and  in  nothing  did  they  work  miracles  save 
it  were  in  the  name  of  Jesus. 

8  And  thus  did  the  thirty  and  eighth  year  pass  away,  and 
also  the  thirty  and  ninth,  and  the  forty  and  first,  and  the 
forty  and  second;  yea,  even  until  forty  and  nine  years  had 
passed  away,  and  also  the  fifty  and  first,  and  the  fifty  and 
second;  yea,  and  even  until  fifty  and  nine  years  had  passed 
away; 

9  And  the  Lord  did  prosper  them  exceedingly,  in  the  land: 
yea,  insomuch  that  they  did  build  cities  again  where  there 
had  been  cities  burned;  yea,  even  that  great  city  Zarahemla 
did  they  cause  to  be  built  again. 

10  But  there  were  many  cities  which  had  been  sunk,  and 
waters  came  up  in  the  stead  thereof;  therefore  these  cities 
could  not  be  renewed. 

11  ^And  now  behold  it  came  to  pass  that  the  people  of  Ne- 
phi  did  wax  strong,  and  did  multiply  exceeding  fast,  and  be- 
came an  exceeding  fair  and  delightsome  people. 

12  And  they  were  married,  and  given  in  marriage,  and 
were  blessed  according  to  the  multitude  of  the  promises  which 
the  Lord  had  made  unto  them. 

13  And  they  did  not  walk  any  more  after  the  performances 
and  ordinances  of  the  law  of  Moses,  but  they  did  walk  after 
the  commandments  which  they  had  received  from  their  Lord 
and  their  God,  continuing  in  fasting  and  prayer,  and  in  meet- 
ing together  oft,  both  to  pray  and  to  hear  the  word  of  the 
Lord. 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  683 

14  And  it  came  to  pass  that  there  was  no  contention  among 
all  the  people,  in  all  the  land,  but  there  were  mighty  miracles 
wrought  among  the  disciples  of  Jesus. 

15  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  seventy  and  first  year 
passed  away,  and  also  the  seventy  and  second  year;  yea,  and 
in  fine,  until  the  seventy  and  ninth  year  had  passed  away; 
yea,  even  an  hundred  years  had  passed  away,  and  the  disci- 
ples of  Jesus,  whom  he  had  chosen,  had  all  gone  to  the  para- 
dise of  God,  save  it  were  the  three  wTio  should  tarry; 

16  And  there  were  other  disciples  ordained  in  their  stead; 
and  also  many  of  that  generation  which  had  passed  away. 

17  And  it  came  to  pass  that  there  was  no  contention  in  the 
land,  because  of  the  love  of  God  which  did  dwell  in  the  hearts 
of  the  people. 

18  And  there  were  no  envyings,  nor  strifes,  nor  tumults, 
nor  whoredoms,  nor  lyings,  nor  murders,  nor  any  manner  of 
lasciviousness; 

19  And  surely  there  could  not  be  a  happier  people  among 
all  the  people  who  had  been  created  by  the  hand  of  God : 

20  There  were  no  robbers,  nor  murderers,  neither  were 
there  Lamanites,  nor  any  manner  of  ites;  but  they  were  in 
one,  the  children  of  Christ,  and  heirs  to  the  kingdom  of  God; 

21  And  how  blessed  were  they,  for  the  Lord  did  bless  them 
in  all  their  doings;  yea,  even  they  were  blessed  and  prospered, 
until  an  hundred  and  ten  years  had  passed  away;  and  the 
first  generation  from  Christ  had  passed  away,  and  there  was 
no  contention  in  all  the  land. 

22  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Nephi,  he  that  kept  the  last 
record,  (and  he  kept  it  upon  the  plates  of  Nephi,)  died,  and 
his  son  Amos  kept  it  in  his  stead;  and  he  kept  it  upon  the 
plates  of  Nephi  also; 

23  And  he  kept  it  eighty  and  four  years,  and  there  was  still 
peace  in  the  land,  save  it  were  a  small  part  of  the  people  who 
had  revolted  from  the  church,  and  took  upon  them  the  name 
of  Lamanites;  therefore  there  began  to  be  Lamanites  again 
in  the  land. 

24  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Amos  died  also,  (and  it  was 
an  hundred  and  ninety  and  four  years  from  the  coming  of 


684  BOOK    OF    NEPHl.  [chap.  1. 

Christ,)  and  his  son  Amos  kept  the  record  in  his  stead;  and 
he  also  kept  it  upon  the  plates  of  Nephi;  and  it  was  also 
written  in  the  book  of  Nephi,  which  is  this  book. 

25  And  it  came  to  pass  that  two  hundred  years  had  passed 
away,  and  the  second  generation  had  all  passed  away  save  it 
were  a  few. 

26  And  now  I,  Mormon,  would  that  ye  should  know  that  the 
people  had  multiplied,  insomuch  that  they  were  spread  upon 
all  the  face  of  the  land,  and  that  they  had  become  exceeding 
rich,  because  of  their  prosperity  in  Christ. 

27  And  now  in  this  two  hundred  and  first  year,  there  began 
to  be  among  them  those  who  were  lifted  up  in  pride,  such  as 
the  wearing  of  costly  apparel,  and  all  manner  of  fine  pearls, 
and  of  the  fine  things  of  the  world. 

28  And  from  that  time  forth  they  did  have  their  goods  and 
their  substance  no  more  common  among  them,  and  they  be- 
gan to  be  divided  into  classes,  and  they  began  to  build  up 
churches  unto  themselves,  to  get  gain,  and  began  to  deny  the 
true  church  of  Christ. 

29  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  two  hundred  and  ten 
years  had  passed  away,  there  were  many  churches  in  the 
land;  yea,  there  were  many  churches  which  professed  to 
know  the  Christ,  and  yet  they  did  deny  the  more  part  of  his 
gospel,  insomuch  that  they  did  receive  all  manner  of  wicked- 
ness, and  did  administer  that  which  was  sacred  unto  him  to 
whom  it  had  been  forbidden,  because  of  unworthiness. 

30  And  this  church  did  multiply  exceedingly,  because  of 
iniquity,  and  because  of  the  power  of  Satan  who  did  get  hold 
upon  their  hearts. 

31  And  again,  there  was  another  church  which  denied  the 
Christ;  and  they  did  persecute  the  true  church  of  Christ;  be- 
cause of  their  humility,  and  their  belief  in  Christ,  and  they 
did  despise  them,  because  of  the  many  miracles  which  were 
wrought  among  them; 

32  Therefore  they  did  exercise  power  and  authority  over 
the  disciples  of  Jesus  who  did  tarry  with  them,  and  they  did 
cast  them  into  prison; 

33  But  by  the  power  of  the  word  of  God,  which  was  in 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  685 

them,  the  prisons  were  rent  in  twain,  and  they  went  forth 
doing  mighty  miracles  among  them. 

34  Nevertheless,  and  notwithstanding  all  these  miracles, 
the  people  did  harden  their  hearts,  and  did  seek  to  kill  them, 
even  as  the  Jews  at  Jerusalem  sought  to  kill  Jesus,  according 
to  his  word, 

35  And  they  did  cast  them  into  furnaces  of  fire,  and  they 
came  forth  receiving  no  harm;  and  they  also  cast  them  into 
dens  of  wild  beasts,  and  they  did  play  with  the  wild  beasts 
even  as  a  child  with  a  lamb;  and  they  did  come  forth  from 
among  them,  receiving  no  harm. 

36  Nevertheless,  the  people  did  harden  their  hearts,  for 
they  were  led  by  many  priests  and  false  prophets  to  build  up 
many  churches,  and  to  do  all  manner  of  iniquity. 

37  And  they  did  smite  upon  the  people  of  Jesus;  but  the 
people  of  Jesus  did  not  smite  again. 

38  And  thus  they  did  dwindle  in  unbelief  and  wickedness, 
from  year  to  year,  even  until  two  hundred  and  thirty  years 
had  passed  away. 

39  And  now  it  came  to  pass  in  this  year,  yea,  in  the  two 
hundred  and  thirty  and  first  year,  there  was  a  great  division 
among  the  people. 

40  And  it  came  to  pass  that  in  this  year  there  arose  a  peo- 
ple who  were  called  the  Nephites,  and  they  were  true  believ- 
ers in  Christ;  and  among  them  there  were  those  who  were 
called  by  the  Lamanites,  Jacobites,  and  Josephites,  and  Zo- 
ramites ; 

41  Therefore  the  true  believers  in  Christ,  and  the  true  wor- 
shipers of  Christ,  (among  whom  were  the  three  disciples  of 
Jesus  who  should  tarry,)  were  called  Nephites,  and  Jacob- 
ites, and  Josephites,  and  Zoramites. 

42  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  who  rejected  the  gospel, 
were  called  Lamanites,  and  Lemuelites,  and  Ishmaelites;  and 
they  did  not  dwindle  in  unbelief,  but  they  did  willfully  rebel 
against  the  gospel  of  Christ; 

43  And  they  did  teach  their  children  that  they  should  not 
believe,  even  as  their  fathers,  from  the  beginning,  did  dwin- 
dle. 


686  BOOK    OF    NEPHI.  [chap.  1. 

44  And  it  was  because  of  the  wickedness  and  abominations 
of  their  fathers,  even  as  it  was  in  the  beginning. 

45  And  they  were  taught  to  hate  the  children  of  God,  even 
as  the  Lamanites  were  taught  to  hate  the  children  of  Nephi, 
from  the  beginning. 

46  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  two  hundred  and  forty  and 
four  years  had  passed  away,  and  thus  were  the  affairs  of  the 
people. 

47  And  the  more  wicked  part  of  the  people  did  wax  strong, 
and  became  exceeding  more  numerous  than  were  the  people 
of  God. 

48  And  they  did  still  continue  to  build  up  churches  unto 
themselves,  and  adorn  them  with  all  manner  of  precious 
things. 

49  And  thus  did  two  hundred  and  fifty  years  pass  away, 
and  also  two  hundred  and  sixty  years. 

50  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  wicked  part  of  the  people 
began  again  to  build  up  the  secret  oaths  and  combinations 
of  Gadianton. 

51  And  also  the  people  who  were  called  the  people  of  Ne- 
phi, began  to  be  proud  in  their  hearts,  because  of  their  ex- 
ceeding riches,  and  became  vain,  like  unto  their  brethren,  the 
Lamanites. 

52  And  from  this  time,  the  disciples  began  to  sorrow  for 
the  sins  of  the  world. 

53  H And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  three  hundred  years  had 
passed  away,  both  the  people  of  Nephi  and  the  Lamanites 
had  become  exceeding  wicked  one  like  unto  another. 

54  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  robbers  of  Gadianton  did 
spread  over  all  the  face  of  the  land;  and  there  were  none 
that  were  righteous,  save  it  were  the  disciples  of  Jesus. 

55  And  gold  and  silver  did  they  lay  up  in  store  in  abund- 
ance, and  did  traffic  in  all  manner  of  traffic. 

56  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  after  three  hundred  and  five 
years  had  passed  away,  (and  the  people  did  still  remain  in 
wickedness,)  Amos  died,  and  his  brother  Ammoron  did  keep 
the  record  in  his  stead. 

57  And    it    came   to    pass   that    when    three    hundred    and 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    MORMON.  687 

twenty  years  had  passed  away,  Ammoron,  being  constrained 
by  the  Holy  Ghost,  did  hide  up  the  records  which  were  sa- 
cred; 

58  Yea,  even  all  the  sacred  records  which  had  been  handed 
down  from  generation  to  generation,  which  were  sacred,  even 
until  the  three  hundred  and  twentieth  year  from  the  coming 
of  Christ. 

59  And  he  did  hide  them  up  unto  the  Lord,  that  they  might 
come  again  unto  the  remnant  of  the  house  of  Jacob,  accord- 
ing to  the  prophecies  and  the  promises  of  the  Lord.  And  thus 
is  the  end  of  the  record  of  Ammoron. 


THE  BOOK  OF  MORMON. 


CHAPTER  1. 

1  ^And  now  I,  Mormon,  make  a  record  of  the  things  which 
I  have  both  seen  and  heard,  and  call  it  the  book  of  Mormon. 

2  And  about  the  time  that  Ammoron  hid  up  the  records 
unto  the  Lord,  he  came  unto  me,  (I  being  about  ten  years  of 
age;  and  I  began  to  be  learned  somewhat  after  the  manner 
of  the  learning  of  my  people,)  and  Ammoron  said  unto  me,  I 
perceive  that  thou  art  a  sober  child,  and  art  quick  to  observe; 

3  Therefore  when  ye  are  about  twenty  and  four  years  old, 
I  would  that  ye  should  remember  the  things  that  ye  have  ob- 
served concerning  this  people; 

4  And  when  ye  are  of  that  age,  go  to  the  land  of  Antum, 
unto  a  hill,  which  shall  be  called  Shim;  and  there  have  I  de- 
posited unto  the  Lord,  all  the  sacred  engravings  concerning 
this  people. 

5  And  behold,  ye  shall  take  the  plates  of  Nephi  unto  your- 
self, and  the  remainder  shall  ye  leave  in  the  place  where  they 
are:  and  ye  shall  engrave  upon  the  plates  of  Nephi,  all  the 
things  that  ye  have  observed  concerning  this  people. 

6  And  I,  Mormon,  being  a  descendant  of  Nephi,  (and  my 
father's  name  was  Mormon,)  I  remembered  the  things  which 
Ammoron  commanded  me. 


688  BOOK    OF    MORMON.  [^hap.  1. 

7  And  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  being  eleven  years  old,  was 
carried  by  my  father  into  the  land  southward,  even  to  the 
land  of  Zarahemla;  the  whole  face  of  the  land  having  be- 
come covered  with  buildings,  and  the  people  were  as  numer- 
ous almost,  as  it  were  the  sand  of  the  sea. 

8  And  it  came  to  pass  in  this  year,  there  began  to  be  a 
war  between  the  Nephites,  who  consisted  of  the  Nephites  and 
the  Jacobites,  and  the  Josephites,  and  the  Zoramites;  and  this 
war  was  between  the  Nephites  and  the  Lamanites,  and  the 
Lemuelites,  and  the  Ishmaelites. 

9  Now  the  Lamanites,  and  the  Lemuelites,  and  the  Ishmael- 
ites were  called  Lamanites,  and  the  two  parties  were  Ne- 
phites and  Lamanites. 

10  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  war  began  to  be  among 
them  in  the  borders  of  Zarahemla,  by  the  waters  of  Sidon. 

11  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Nephites  had  gathered  to- 
gether a  great  number  of  men,  even  to  exceed  the  number  of 
thirty  thousand. 

12  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  have  in  this  same  year 
a  number  of  battles,  in  the  which  the  Nephites  did  beat  the 
Lamanites,  and  did  slay  many  of  them. 

13  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lamanites  withdrew  their 
design,  and  there  was  peace  settled  in  the  land,  and  peace  did 
remain  for  the  space  of  about  four  years,  that  there  was  no 
blood  shed. 

14  But  wickedness  did  prevail  upon  the  face  of  the  whole 
land,  insomuch  that  the  Lord  did  take  away  his  beloved  dis- 
ciples, and  the  work  of  miracles  and  of  healing  did  cease,  be- 
cause of  the  iniquity  of  the  people. 

15  And  there  were  no  gifts  from  the  Lord,  and  the  Holy 
Ghost  did  not  come  upon  any,  because  of  their  wickedness 
and  unbelief. 

16  And  I,  being  fifteen  years  of  age,  and  being  somewhat 
of  a  sober  mind,  therefore  I  was  visited  of  the  Lord,  and 
tasted,  and  knew  of  the  goodness  of  Jesus. 

17  And  I  did  endeavor  to  preach  unto  this  people,  but  my 
mouth  was  shut,  and  I  was  forbidden  that  I  should  preach 
unto   them;    for  behold  they  had  willfully   rebelled   against 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    MORMON.  689 

their  God,  and  the  beloved  disciples  were  taken  away  out  of 
the  land,  because  of  their  iniquity. 

18  But  I  did  remain  among  them,  but  I  was  forbidden  to 
preach  unto  them,  because  of  the  hardness  of  their  hearts; 
and  because  of  the  hardness  of  their  hearts,  the  land  was 
cursed  for  their  sake. 

19  And  these  Gadianton  robbers,  who  were  among  the  La- 
manites,  did  infest  the  land,  insomuch  that  the  inhabitants 
thereof  began  to  hide  up  their  treasures  in  the  earth;  and 
they  became  slippery,  because  the  Lord  had  cursed  the  land, 
that  they  could  not  hold  them  nor  retain  them  again. 

20  And  it  came  to  pass  that  there  were  sorceries,  and 
witchcrafts,  and  magics;  and  the  power  of  the  evil  one  was 
wrought  upon  all  the  face  of  the  land,  even  unto  the  fulfilling 
of  all  the  words  of  Abinadi,  and  also  Samuel  the  Lamanite. 

21  And  it  came  to  pass  that  in  that  same  year,  there  began 
to  be  a  war  again  between  the  Nephites  and  the  Lamanites. 

22  And  notwithstanding  I  being  young,  was  large  in  stat- 
ure, therefore  the  people  of  Nephi  appointed  me  that  I  should 
be  their  leader,  or  the  leader  of  their  armies. 

23  Therefore  it  came  to  pass  that  in  my  sixteenth  year  I 
did  go  forth  at  the  head  of  an  army  of  the  Nephites,  against 
the  Lamanites;  therefore  three  hundred  and  twenty  and  six 
years  had  passed  away. 

24  And  it  came  to  pass  that  in  the  three  hundred  and 
twenty  and  seventh  year,  the  Lamanites  did  come  upon  us 
with  exceeding  great  power,  insomuch  that  they  did  frighten 
my  armies ;  therefore  they  would  not  fight,  and  they  began  to 
retreat  towards  the  north  countries. 

25  And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  come  to  the  city  of 
Angola,  and  we  did  take  possession  of  the  city,  and  make 
preparations  to  defend  ourselves  against  the  Lamanites. 

26  And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  fortify  the  city  with 
our  mights;  but  notwithstanding  all  our  fortifications,  the 
Lamanites  did  come  upon  us,  and  did  drive  us  out  of  the  city. 

27  And  they  did  also  drive  us  forth  out  of  the  land  of 
David.  And  we  marched  forth  and  came  to  the  land  of 
Joshua,  which  was  in  the  borders  west,  by  the  sea-shore. 


690  BOOK    OF    MORMON.  [chap.  1. 

28  And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  gather  in  our  people 
as  fast  as  it  were  possible,  that  we  might  get  them  together 
in  one  body. 

29  But  behold,  the  land  was  filled  with  robbers  and  with 
Lamanites;  and  notwithstanding  the  great  destruction  which 
hung  over  my  people,  th^y  did  not  repent  of  their  evil  doings; 

30  Therefore  there  was  blood  and  carnage  spread  through- 
out all  the  face  of  the  land,  both  on  the  part  of  the  Nephites, 
and  also  on  the  part  of  the  Lamanites:  and  it  was  one  com- 
plete revolution  throughout  all  the  face  of  the  land. 

31  And  now  the  Lamanites  had  a  king,  and  his  name  was 
Aaron;  and  he  came  against  us  with  an  army  of  forty  and 
four  thousand. 

32  And  behold,  I  withstood  him  with  forty  and  two  thou- 
sand. And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  beat  him  with  my  army, 
that  he  fled  before  me. 

33  And  behold,  all  this  was  done  and  three  hundred  and 
thirty  years  had  passed  away. 

34  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Nephites  began  to  repent 
of  their  iniquity,  and  began  to  cry  even  as  had  been  prophe- 
sied by  Samuel  the  prophet;  for  behold  no  man  could  keep 
that  which  was  his  own,  for  the  thieves,  and  the  robbers,  and 
the  murderers,  and  the  magic  art,  and  the  witchcraft  which 
was  in  the  land. 

35  Thus  there  began  to  be  a  mourning  and  a  lamentation 
in  all  the  land,  because  of  these  things;  and  more  especially 
among  the  people  of  Nephi. 

36  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  I,  Mormon,  saw  their 
lamentations,  and  their  mourning,  and  their  sorrowing  before 
the  Lord,  my  heart  did  begin  to  rejoice  within  me,  knowing 
the  mercies  and  the  long  suffering  of  the  Lord,  therefore  sup- 
posing that  he  would  be  merciful  unto  them,  that  they  would 
again  become  a  righteous  people. 

37  But  behold  this  my  joy  was  vain,  for  their  sorrowing 
was  not  unto  repentance,  because  of  the  goodness  of  God,  but 
it  was  rather  the  sorrowing  of  the  damned,  because  the  Lord 
would  not  always  suffer  them  to  take  happiness  in  sin. 

38  And  they  did  not  come  unto  Jesus  with  broken  hearts 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    MORMON.  691 

and  contrite  spirits,  but  they  did  curse  God,  and  wish  to  die. 

39  Nevertheless  they  would  struggle  with  the  sword  for 
their  lives. 

40  And  it  came  to  pass  that  my  sorrow  did  return  unto  me 
again,  and  I  saw  that  the  day  of  grace  was  past  with  them, 
both  temporally  and  spiritually,  for  I  saw  thousands  of  them' 
hewn  down  in  open  rebellion  against  their  God,  and  heaped 
up  as  dung  upon  the  face  of  the  land. 

41  And  thus  three  hundred  and  forty  and  four  years  had 
passed  away. 

42  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  in  the  three  hundred  and 
forty  and  fifth  year,  the  Nephites  did  begin  to  flee  before  the 
Lamanites,  and  they  were  pursued  until  they  came  even  to  the 
land  of  Jashon,  before  it  was  possible  to  stop  them  in  their 
retreat.- 

43  And  now  the  city  of  Jashon  was  near  the  land  where 
Ammoron  had  deposited  the  records  unto  the  Lord,  that  they 
might  not  be  destroyed. 

44  And  behold,  I  had  gone  according  to  the  word  of  Am- 
moron, and  taken  the  plates  of  Nephi,  and  did  make  a  record 
according  to  the  words  of  Ammoron. 

45  And  upon  the  plates  of  Nephi  I  did  make  a  full  account 
of  all  the  wickedness  and  abominations;  but  upon  these  plates 
I  did  forbear  to  make  a  full  account  of  their  wickedness  and 
abominations,  for  behold,  a  continual  scene  of  wickedness  and 
abominations  has  been  before  mine  eyes  ever  since  I  have 
been  sufficient  to  behold  the  ways  of  man. 

46  And  wo  is  me,  because  of  their  wickedness,  for  my  heart 
has  been  filled  with  sorrow  because  of  their  wickedness,  all 
my  days;  nevertheless,  I  know  that  I  shall  be  lifted  up  at  the 
last  day. 

47  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  in  this  year  the  people  of 
Nephi  again  were  hunted  and  driven. 

48  And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  were  driven  forth  until  we 
had  come  northward  to  the  land  which  was  called  Shem. 

49  And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  fortify  the  city  of 
Shem,  and  we  did  gather  in  our  people  as  much  as  it  were 
possible,  that  perhaps  we  might  save  them  from  destruction. 


692  BOOK    OF    MORMON.  [chap.  1. 

50  And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  three  hundred  and  forty  and 
sixth  year,  they  began  to  come  upon  us  again. 

51  And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  did  speak  unto  my  people, 
and  did  urge  them  with  great  energy,  that  they  would  stand 
boldly  before  the  Lamanites,  and  fight  for  their  wives,  and 
their  children,  and  their  houses  and  their  homes. 

52  And  my  words  did  arouse  them  somewhat  to  vigor,  in- 
somuch that  they  did  not  flee  from  before  the  Lamanites,  but 
did  stand  with  boldness  against  them. 

53  And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  contend  with  an  army 
of  thirty  thousand,  against  an  army  of  fifty  thousand. 

54  And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  stand  before  them  with 
such  firmness,  that  they  did  flee  from  before  us. 

55  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  they  had  fled,  we  did 
pursue  them  with  our  armies,  and  did  meet  them  again,  and 
did  beat  them; 

56  Nevertheless  the  strength  of  the  Lord  was  not  with  us; 
yea,  we  were  left  to  ourselves,  that  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  did 
not  abide  in  us;  therefore  we  had  become  weak,  like  unto  our 
brethren. 

57  And  my  heart  did  sorrow  because  of  this  the  great 
calamity  of  my  people;  because  of  their  wickedness  and  their 
abominations. 

58  But  behold  we  did  go  forth  against  the  Lamanites,  and 
the  robbers  of  Gadianton,  until  we  had  again  taken  posses- 
sion of  the  lands  of  our  inheritance. 

59  And  the  three  hundred  and  forty  and  ninth  year  had 
passed  away. 

60  And  in  the  three  hundred  and  fiftieth  year,  we  made  a 
treaty  with  the  Lamanites  and  the  robbers  of  Gadianton,  in 
which  we  did  get  the  lands  of  our  inheritance  divided. 

61  And  the  Lamanites  did  give  unto  us  the  land  north- 
ward; yea,  even  to  the  narrow  passage  which  led  into  the 
land  southward. 

62  And  we  did  give  unto  the  Lamanites  all  the  land  south- 
ward. 

63  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lamanites  did  not  come 
to  battle  again  until  ten  years  more  had  passed  away. 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    MORMON.  ,    693 

64  And  behold,  I  had  employed  my  people,  the  Nephites,  in 
preparing  their  lands  and  their  arms  against  the  time  of 
battle. 

65  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  did  say  unto  me.  Cry 
unto  this  people.  Repent  ye,  and  come  unto  me  and  be  ye  bap- 
tized, and  build  up  again  my  church,  and  ye  shall  be  spared. 

66  And  I  did  cry  unto  this  people,  but  it  was  in  vain,  and 
they  did  not  realize  that  it  was  the  Lord  that  had  spared  them 
and  granted  unto  them  a  chance  for  repentance. 

67  And  behold  they  did  harden  their  hearts  against  the 
Lord  their  God. 

68  And  it  came  to  pass  that  after  this  tenth  year  had 
passed  away,  making,  in  the  whole,  three  hundred  and  sixty 
years  from  the  coming  of  Christ,  the  king  of  the  Lamanites 
sent  an  epistle  unto  me,  which  gave  unto  me  to  know  that 
they  were  preparing  to  come  again  to  battle  against  us. 

69  And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  did  cause  my  people  that  they 
should  gather  themselves  together  at  the  land  Desolation,  to  a 
city  which  was  in  the  borders,  by  the  narrow  pass  which  led 
into  the  land  southward. 

70  And  there  we  did  place  our  armies,  that  we  might  stop 
the  armies  of  the  Lamanites,  that  they  might  not  get  posses- 
sion of  any  of  our  lands;  therefore  we  did  fortify  against 
them  with  all  our  force. 

71  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  in  the  three  hundred  and 
sixty  and  first  year,  the  Lamanites  did  come  down  to  the  city 
of  Desolation  to  battle  against  us;  and  it  came  to  pass  that 
in  that  year,  we  did  beat  them,  insomuch  that  they  did  re- 
turn to  their  own  lands  again. 

72  And  in  the  three  hundred  and  sixty  and  second  year, 
they  did  come  down  again  to  battle. 

73  And  we  did  beat  them  again,  and  did  slay  a  great  num- 
ber of  them,  and  their  dead  were  cast  into  the  sea. 

74  And  now  because  of  this  great  thing  which  my  people, 
the  Nephites,  had  done,  they  began  to  boast  in  their  own 
strength,  and  began  to  swear  before  the  heavens,  that  they 
would  avenge  themselves  of  the  blood  of  their  brethren  who 
had  been  slain  by  their  enemies. 


694  BOOK    OF    MORMON.  [CHAP.  1. 

75  And  they  did  swear  by  the  heavens,  and  also  by  the 
throne  of  God,  that  they  would  go  up  to  battle  against  their 
enemies,  and  would  cut  them  off  from  the  face  of  the  land. 

76  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  I,  Mormon,  did  utterly  refuse 
from  this  time  forth,  to  be  a  commander  and  a  leader  of  this 
people,  because  of  their  wickedness  and  abomination. 

77  Behold,  I  had  led  them,  notwithstanding  their  wicked- 
ness, I  had  led  them  many  times  to  battle,  and  had  loved 
them,  according  to  the  love  of  God  which  was  in  me,  with  all 
my  heart; 

78  And  my  soul  had  been  poured  out  in  prayer  unto  my 
God  all  the  day  long,  for  them;  nevertheless,  it  was  without 
faith,  because  of  the  hardness  of  their  hearts. 

79  And  thrice  have  I  delivered  them  out  of  the  hands  of 
their  enemies,  and  they  have  repented  not  of  their  sins. 

80  And  when  they  had  sworn  by  all  that  had  been  forbid- 
den them,  by  our  Lord  and  Savior  Jesus  Christ,  that  they 
would  go  up  unto  their  enemies  to  battle,  and  avenge  them- 
selves of  the  blood  of  their  brethren,  behold,  the  voice  of  the 
Lord  came  unto  me,  saying.  Vengeance  is  mine,  and  I  will 
repay;  and  because  this  people  repented  not  after  I  had  de- 
livered them,  behold,  they  shall  be  cut  off  from  the  face  of 
the  earth. 

81  And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  utterly  refused  to  go  up 
against  mine  enemies;  and  I  did  even  as  the  Lord  had  com- 
manded me;  and  I  did  stand  as  an  idle  witness  to  manifest 
unto  the  world  the  things  which  I  saw  and  heard,  according 
to  the  manifestations  of  the  Spirit  which  had  testified  of 
things  to  come. 

82  Therefore  I  write  unto  you,  Gentiles,  and  also  unto  you, 
house  of  Israel,  when  the  work  shall  commence,  that  ye  shall 
be  about  to  prepare  to  return  to  the  land  of  your  inheritance; 

83  Yea,  behold,  I  write  unto  all  the  ends  of  the  earth;  yea, 
unto  you,  twelve  tribes  of  Israel,  who  shall  be  judged  accord- 
ing to  your  works,  by  the  twelve  whom  Jesus  chose  to  be  his 
disciples  in  the  land  of  Jerusalem. 

84  And  I  write  also  unto  the  remnant  of  this  people,  who 
shall  also  be  judged  by  the  twelve  whom  Jesus  chose  in  this 


CHAP.  2.]  BOOK    OF    MORMON.  695 

land;   and  they  shall  be  judged  by  the  other  twelve  whom 
Jesus  chose  in  the  land  of  Jerusalem. 

85  And  these  things  do  the  Spirit  manifest  unto  me;  there- 
fore I  write  unto  you  all. 

86  And  for  this  cause  I  write  unto  you,  that  ye  may  know 
that  ye  must  all  stand  before  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ; 
yea,  every  soul  who  belongs  to  the  whole  human  family  of 
Adam; 

87  And  ye  must  stand  to  be  judged  of  your  works,  whether 
they  be  good  or  evil;  and  also  that  ye  may  believe  the  gospel 
of  Jesus  Christ,  which  ye  shall  have  among  you; 

88  And  also  that  the  Jews,  the  covenant  people  of  the 
Lord,  shall  have  other  witness  besides  him  whom  they  saw 
and  heard,  that  Jesus  whom  they  slew,  was  the  very  Christ, 
and  the  very  God; 

89  And  I  would  that  I  could  persuade  all  ye  ends  of  the 
earth  to  repent  and  prepare  to  stand  before  the  judgment 
seat  of  Christ. 


CHAPTER  2. 

1  ^And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  in  the  three  hundred  and 
sixty  and  third  year,  the  Nephites  did  go  up  with  their 
armies  to  battle  against  the  Lamanites,  out  of  the  land  of 
Desolation. 

2  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  armies  of  the  Nephites  were 
driven  back  again  to  the  land  of  Desolation. 

3  And  while  they  were  yet  weary,  a  fresh  army  of  the  La- 
manites did  come  upon  them;  and  they  had  a  sore  battle, 
insomuch  that  the  Lamanites  did  take  possession  of  the  city 
Desolation,  and  did  slay  many  of  the  Nephites,  and  did  take 
many  prisoners;  and  the  remainder  did  flee  and  join  the  in- 
habitants of  the  city  Teancum. 

4  Now  the  city  Teancum  lay  in  the  borders  by  the  sea- 
shore; and  it  was  also  near  the  city  Desolation. 

5  And  it  was  because  the  armies  of  the  Nephites  went  up 
unto  the  Lamanites,  that  they  began  to  be  smitten;  for  were 


696  BOOK    OF    MORMON.  [chap.  2. 

it  not  for  that,  the  Lamanites  could  have  had  no  power  over 
them. 

6  But  behold,  the  judgments  of  God  will  overtake  the 
wicked;  and  it  is  by  the  wicked,  that  the  wicked  are  punished; 
for  it  is  the  wicked  that  stir  up  the  hearts  of  the  children  of 
men  unto  bloodshed. 

7  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lamanites  did  make  prepa- 
ration to  come  against  the  city  Teancum. 

8  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  in  the  three  hundred  and  sixty  and 
fourth  year,  the  Lamanites  did  come  against  the  city  Tean- 
cum, that  they  might  take  possession  of  the  city  Teancum 
also. 

9  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  were  repulsed  and  driven 
back  by  the  Nephites. 

10  And  when  the  Nephites  saw  that  they  had  driven  the 
Lamanites,  they  did  again  boast  of  their  own  strength:  and 
they  went  forth  in  their  own  might,  and  took  possession  again 
of  the  city  Desolation. 

11  And  now  all  these  things  had  been  done,  and  there  had 
been  thousands  slain  on  both  sides,  both  the  Nephites  and 
the  Lamanites. 

12  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  three  hundred  and  sixty 
and  sixth  year  had  passed  away,  and  the  Lamanites  came 
again  upon  the  Nephites  to  battle ;  and  yet  the  Nephites  re- 
pented not  of  the  evil  they  had  done,  but  persisted  in  their 
wickedness  continually. 

13  And  it  is  impossible  for  the  tongue  to  describe,  or  for 
man  to  write  a  perfect  description  of  the  horrible  scene  of 
the  blood  and  carnage  which  was  among  the  people;  both  of 
the  Nephites  and  of  the  Lamanites;  and  every  heart  was 
hardened,  so  that  they  delighted  in  the  shedding  of  blood 
continually. 

14  And  there  never  had  been  so  great  wickedness  among 
all  the  children  of  Lehi,  nor  even  among  all  the  house  of 
Israel,  according  to  the  words  of  the  Lord,  as  were  among 
this  people. 

15  TIAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lamanites  did  take  pos- 


CHAP.  2.]  BOOK    OF    MORMON.  697 

session  of  the  city  Desolation,  and  this  because  their  number 
did  exceed  the  number  of  the  Nephites. 

16  And  they  did  also  march  forward  against  the  city  Tean- 
cum,  and  did  drive  the  inhabitants  forth  out  of  her,  and  did 
take  many  prisoners,  both  women  and  children,  and  did  offer 
them  up  as  sacrifices  unto  their  idol  gods. 

17  And  it  came  to  pass  that  in  the  three  hundred  and  sixty 
and  seventh  year,  the  Nephites,  being  angry  because  the  La- 
manites  had  sacrificed  their  women  and  their  children,  that 
they  did  go  against  the  Lamanites  with  exceeding  great 
anger,  insomuch  that  they  did  beat  again  the  Lamanites,  and 
drive  them  out  of  their  lands; 

18  And  the  Lamanites  did  not  come  again  against  the  Ne- 
phites until  the  three  hundred  and  seventy  and  fifth  year. 

19  And  in  this  year  they  did  come  down  against  the  Ne- 
phites with  all  their  powers;  and  they  were  not  numbered  be- 
cause of  the  greatness  of  their  number. 

20  And  from  this  time  forth  did  the  Nephites  gain  no 
power  over  the  Lamanites,  but  began  to  be  swept  off  by  them 
even  as  a  dew  before  the  sun. 

21  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lamanites  did  come  down 
against  the  city  Desolation;  and  there  was  an  exceeding  sore 
battle  fought  in  the  land  Desolation,  in  the  which  they  did 
beat  the  Nephites. 

22  And  they  fled  again  from  before  them,  and  they  came 
to  the  city  Boaz;  and  there  they  did  stand  against  the  La- 
manites with  exceeding  boldness,  insomuch  that  the  Laman- 
ites did  not  beat  them  until  they  had  come  again  the  second 
time. 

23  And  when  they  had  come  the  second  time,  the  Nephites 
were  driven  and  slaughtered  with  an  exceeding  great  slaugh- 
ter; their  women  and  their  children  were  again  sacrificed 
unto  idols. 

24  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Nephites  did  again  flee 
from  before  them,  taking  all  the  inhabitants  with  them,  both 
in  towns  and  villages. 

25  And  now  I,  Mormon,  seeing  that  the  Lamanites  were 
about  to  overthrow  the  land,  therefore  I  did  go  to  the  hill 


698  BOOK    OF    MORMON.  [chap.  2. 

Shim,  and  did  take  up  all  the  records  which  Ammoron  had 
hid  up  unto  the  Lord. 

26  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  did  go  forth  among  the  Ne- 
phites,  and  did  repent  of  the  oath  which  I  had  made,  that  I 
would  no  more  assist  them ;  and  they  gave  me  command  again 
of  their  armies;  for  they  looked  upon  me  as  though  I  could 
deliver  them  from  their  afflictions. 

27  But  behold,  I  was  without  hopes,  for  I  knew  the  judg- 
ments of  the  Lord  which  should  come  upon  them;  for  they 
repented  not  of  their  iniquities,  but  did  struggle  for  their 
lives,  without  calling  upon  that  being  who  created  them. 

28  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lamanites  did  come  against 
us  as  we  had  fled  to  the  city  of  Jordan;  but  behold,  they  were 
driven  back  that  they  did  not  take  the  city  at  that  time. 

29  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  came  against  us  again, 
and  we  did  maintain  the  city. 

30  And  there  were  also  other  cities  which  were  maintained 
by  the  Nephites,  which  strongholds  did  cut  them  off  that  they 
could  not  get  into  the  country  which  lay  before  us  to  destroy 
the  inhabitants  of  our  land. 

31  But  it  came  to  pass  that  whatsoever  lands  we  had 
passed  by,  and  the  inhabitants  thereof  were  not  gathered  in, 
were  destroyed  by  the  Lamanites,  and  their  towns,  and  vil- 
lages, and  cities  were  burned  with  fire;  and  thus  the  three 
hundred  and  seventy  and  nine  years  passed  away. 

32  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  in  the  three  hundred  and 
eightieth  year,  the  Lamanites  did  come  again  against  us  to 
battle,  and  we  did  stand  against  them  boldly;  but  it  was  all  in 
vain;  for  so  great  were  their  numbers  that  they  did  tread  the 
people  of  the  Nephites  under  their  feet. 

33  And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  again  take  to  flight, 
and  those  whose  flight  was  swifter  than  the  Lamanites  did 
escape,  and  those  whose  flight  did  not  exceed  the  Lamanites 
were  swept  down  and  destroyed. 

34  And  now  behold,  I,  Mormon,  do  not  desire  to  harrow  up 
the  souls  of  men  in  casting  before  them  such  an  awful  scene 
of  blood  and  carnage  as  was  laid  before  mine  eyes, 

35  But  I,  knowing  that  these  things  must  surely  be  made 


CHAP.  2.]  BOOK    OF    MORMON.  699 

known,  and  that  all  things  which  are  hid  must  be  revealed 
upon  the  house  tops,  and  also  that  a  knowledge  of  these 
things  must  come  unto  the  remnant  of  these  people,  and  also 
unto  the  Gentiles,  which  the  Lord  hath  said  should  scatter 
this  people,  and  this  people  should  be  counted  as  nought 
among  them, 

36  Therefore  I  write  a  small  abridgment,  daring  not  to 
give  a  full  account  of  the  things  which  I  have  seen,  because 
of  the  commandment  which  I  have  received,  and  also  that  ye 
might  not  have  too  great  sorrow  because  of  the  wickedness  of 
this  people. 

37  And  now  behold,  this  I  speak  unto  their  seed,  and  also 
to  the  Gentiles,  who  have  care  for  the  house  of  Israel,  that 
realize  and  know  from  whence  their  blessings  come. 

38  For  I  know  that  such  will  sorrow  for  the  calamity  of 
the  house  of  Israel;  yea,  they  will  sorrow  for  the  destruction 
of  this  people;  they  will  sorrow  that  this  people  had  not  re- 
pented, that  they  might  have  been  clasped  in  the  arms  of 
Jesus. 

39  Now  these  things  are  written  unto  the  remnant  of  the 
house  of  Jacob;  and  they  are  written  after  this  manner,  be- 
cause it  is  known  of  God  that  wickedness  will  not  bring  them 
forth  unto  them;  and  they  are  to  be  hid  up  unto  the  Lord, 
that  they  may  come  forth  in  his  own  due  time. 

40  And  this  is  the  commandment  which  I  have  received; 
and  behold  they  shall  come  forth  according  to  the  command- 
ment of  the  Lord,  when  he  shall  see  fit,  in  his  wisdom. 

41  And  behold  they  shall  go  unto  the  unbelieving  of  the 
Jews;  and  for  this  intent  shall  they  go;  that  they  may  be 
persuaded  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ,  the  Son  of  the  living  God; 

42  That  the  Father  may  bring  about,  through  his  most 
beloved,  his  great  and  eternal  purpose,  in  restoring  the  Jews, 
or  all  the  house  of  Israel,  to  the  land  of  their  inheritance, 
which  the  Lord  their  God  hath  given  them,  unto  the  fulfilling 
of  his  covenant, 

43  And  also  that  the  seed  of  this  people  may  more  fully 
believe  his  gospel,  which  shall  go  forth  unto  them  from  the 
Gentiles; 


700  BOOK    OF    MORMON.  [chap.  2. 

44  For  this  people  shall  be  scattered,  and  shall  become  a 
dark,  a  filthy,  and  a  loathsome  people,  beyond  the  description 
of  that  which  ever  hath  been  amongst  us;  yea,  even  that 
which  hath  been  among  the  Lamanites;  and  this  because  of 
their  unbelief  and  idolatry. 

45  For  behold,  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  hath  already  ceased 
to  strive  with  their  fathers,  and  they  are  without  Christ  and 
God  in  the  world,  and  they  are  driven  about  as  chaff  before 
the  wind. 

46  They  were  once  a  delightsome  people,  and  they  had 
Christ  for  their  Shepherd;  yea,  they  were  led  even  by  God, 
the  Father. 

47  But  now,  behold  they  are  led  about  by  Satan,  even  as 
chaff  is  driven  before  the  wind,  or  as  a  vessel  is  tossed  about 
upon  the  waves,  without  sail  or  anchor,  or  without  anything 
wherewith  to  steer  her;  and  even  as  she  is,  so  are  they. 

48  And  behold,  the  Lord  hath  reserved  their  blessings, 
which  they  might  have  received  in  the  land,  for  the  Gentiles 
who  shall  possess  the  land. 

49  But  behold,  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  they  shall  be 
driven  and  scattered  by  the  Gentiles;  and  after  they  have 
been  driven  and  scattered  by  the  Gentiles,  behold,  then  will 
the  Lord  remember  the  covenant  which  he  made  unto  Abra- 
ham, and  unto  all  the  house  of  Israel. 

50  And  also  the  Lord  will  remember  the  prayers  of  the 
righteous,  which  have  been  put  up  unto  him  for  them. 

51  And  then,  0  ye  Gentiles,  how  can  ye  stand  before  the 
power  of  God,  except  ye  shall  repent  and  turn  from  your  evil 
ways! 

52  Know  ye  not  that  ye  arp  in  the  hands  of  God? 

53  Know  ye  not  that  he  hath  all  power,  and  at  his  great 
command  the  earth  shall  be  rolled  together  as  a  scroll? 

54  Therefore  repent  ye,  and  humble  yourselves  before  him, 
lest  he  shall  come  out  in  justice  against  you;  lest  a  remnant 
of  the  seed  of  Jacob  shall  go  forth  among  you  as  a  lion,  and 
tear  you  in  pieces,  and  there  is  none  to  deliver. 


CHAP.  3.]  BOOK    OF    MORMON.  701 

CHAPTER  3. 

1  TJAnd  now  I  finish  my  record  concerning'  the  destruction 
of  my  people,  the  Nephites. 

2  x\nd  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  march  forth  before  the 
Lamanites. 

3  And  I,  Mormon,  wrote  an  epistle  unto  the  king  of  the 
Lamanites,  and  desired  of  him  that  he  would  grant  unto  us 
that  we  might  gather  together  our  people  unto  the  land  of 
Cumorah,  by  a  hill  which  was  called  Cumorah,  and  there  we 
would  give  them  battle. 

4  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  king  of  the  Lamanites  did 
grant  unto  me  the  thing  which  I  desired. 

5  And  it  came  to  pass  that  we  did  march  forth  to  the  land 
of  Cumorah,  and  we  did  pitch  our  tents  round  about  the  hill 
Cumorah;  and  it  was  in  a  land  of  many  waters,  .rivers  and 
fountains;  and  here  we  had  hope  to  gain  advantage  over  the 
Lamanites. 

6  And  when  three  hundred  and  eighty  and  four  years  had 
passed  away,  we  had  gathered  in  all  the  remainder  of  our 
people  unto  the  land  Cumorah. 

7  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  we  had  gathered  in  all 
our  people  in  one  to  the  land  of  Cumorah,  behold  I,  Mormon, 
began  to  be  old;  and  knowing  it  to  be  the  last  struggle  of  my 
people,  and  having  been  commanded  of  the  Lord  that  I  should 
not  suffer  that  the  records  which  had  been  handed  down  by 
our  fathers,  which  were  sacred,  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the 
Lamanites,  (for  the  Lamanites  would  destroy  them,) 

8  Therefore  I  made  this  record  out  of  the  plates  of  Nephi, 
and  hid  up  in  the  hill  Cumorah,  all  the  records  which  had 
been  entrusted  to  me  by  the  hand  of  the  Lord,  save  it  were 
these  few  plates  which  I  gave  unto  my  son  Moroni. 

9  And  it  came  to  pass  that  my  people,  with  their  wives  and 
their  children,  did  now  behold  the  armies  of  the  Lamanites 
marching  towards  them;  and  with  that  awful  fear  of  death 
which  fills  the  breasts  of  all  the  wicked,  did  they  wait  to  re- 
ceive them. 

10  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  came  to  battle  against  us, 


702  BOOK    OF    MORMON.  [chap.  3. 

and  every  soul  was  filled  with  terror,  because  of  the  great- 
ness of  their  numbers. 

11  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  fall  upon  my  people 
with  the  sword,  and  with  the  bow,  and  with  the  arrow,  and 
with  the  ax,  and  with  all  manner  of  weapons  of  war. 

12  And  it  came  to  pass  that  my  men  were  hewn  down,  yea, 
even  my  ten  thousand  who  were  with  me;  and  I  fell  wounded 
in  the  midst;  and  they  passed  by  me  that  they  did  not  put 
an  end  to  my  life. 

13  And  when  they  had  gone  through  and  hewn  down  all 
my  people  save  it  were  twenty  and  four  of  us,  (among  whom 
was  my  son  Moroni,) 

14  And  we  having  survived  the  dead  of  our  people,  did  be- 
hold on  the  morrow,  when  the  Lamanites  had  returned  unto 
their  camps,  from  the  top  of  the  hill  Cumorah,  the  ten  thou- 
sand of  my  people  who  were  hewn  down,  being  led  in  the 
front  by  me;  and  we  also  beheld  the  ten  thousand  of  my  peo- 
ple who  were  led  by  my  son  Moroni. 

15  And  behold,  the  ten  thousand  of  Gidgiddonah  had  fallen, 
and  he  also  in  the  midst;  and  Lama  had  fallen  with  his  ten 
thousand;  and  Gilgal  had  fallen  with  his  ten  thousand;  and 
Limhah  had  fallen  with  his  ten  thousand;  and  Jeneum  had 
fallen  v/ith  his  ten  thousand;  and  Cumenihah,  and  Moronihah, 
and  Antionum,  and  Shiblom,  and  Shem,  and  Josh,  had  fallen 
with  their  ten  thousand  each. 

16  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  there  were  ten  more  who  did 
fall  by  the  sword,  with  their  ten  thousand  each;  yea,  even  all 
my  people,  save  it  were  those  twenty  and  four  who  were  with 
me,  and  also  a  few  who  had  escaped  into  the  south  countries, 
and  a  few  who  had  deserted  over  unto  the  Lamanites,  had 
fallen, 

17  And  their  flesh,  and  bones,  and  blood  lay  upon  the  face 
of  the  earth,  being  left  by  the  hands  of  those  who  slew  them, 
to  moulder  upon  the  land,  and  to  crumble  and  to  return  to 
their  mother  earth. 

18  And  my  soul  was  rent  with  anguish,  because  of  the 
slain  of  my  people,  and  I  cried,  0  ye  fair  ones,  how  could  ye 
have  departed  from  the  ways  of  the  Lord!     O  ye  fair  ones. 


CHAP.  3.]  BOOK    OF    MORMON.  703 

how  could  ye  have  rejected  that  Jesus,  who  stood  with  open 
arms  to  receive  you! 

19  Behold,  if  ye  had  not  done  this,  ye  would  not  have  fallen. 
But  behold,  ye  are  fallen,  and  I  mourn  your  loss. 

20  0  ye  fair  sons  and  daughters,  ye  fathers  and  mothers, 
ye  husbands  and  wives,  ye  fair  ones,  how  is  it  that  ye  could 
have  fallen! 

21  But  behold,  ye  are  gone,  and  my  sorrows  can  not  bring 
your  return;  and  the  day  soon  cometh  that  your  mortal  must 
put  on  immortality,  and  these  bodies  which  are  now  moulder- 
ing in  corruption,  must  soon  become  incorruptible  bodies; 

22  And  then  ye  must  stand  before  the  judgment  seat  of 
Christ,  to  be  judged  according  to  your  works;  and  if  it  so 
be  that  ye  are  righteous,  then  are  ye  blessed  with  your  fathers 
who  have  gone  before  you. 

23  0  that  ye  had  repented  before  this  great  destruction 
had  come  upon  you.  But  behold,  ye  are  gone,  and  the  Father, 
yea,  the  eternal  Father  of  heaven  knoweth  your  state;  and  he 
doeth  with  you  according  to  his  justice  and  mercy. 

24  TJAnd  now  behold,  I  would  speak  somewhat  unto  the  rem- 
nant of  this  people  who  are  spared,  if  it  so  be  that  God  may 
give  unto  them  my  words,  that  they  may  know  of  the  things 
of  their  fathers;  yea,  I  speak  unto  you,  ye  remnant  of  the 
house  of  Israel ;  and  these  are  the  words  which  I  speak,  Know 
ye  that  ye  are  of  the  house  of  Israel. 

25  Know  ye  that  ye  must  come  unto  repentance,  or  ye  can 
not  be  saved. 

26  Know  ye  that  ye  must  lay  down  your  weapons  of  war, 
and  delight  no  more  in  the  shedding  of  blood,  and  take  them 
not  again,  save  it  be  that  God  shall  command  you. 

27  Know  ye  that  ye  must  come  to  the  knowledge  of  your 
fathers,  and  repent  of  all  your  sins  and  iniquities,  and  be- 
lieve in  Jesus  Christ,  th^t  he  is  the  Son  of  God,  and  that  he 
was  slain  by  the  Jews,  and  by  the  power  of  the  Father  he 
hath  risen  again,  whereby  he  hath  gained  the  victory  over  the 
grave;  and  also  in  him  is  the  sting  of  death  swallowed  up. 

28  And  he  bringeth  to  pass  the  resurrection  of  the  dead. 


704  BOOK    OF    MORMON.  [chap.  4. 

whereby  man  must  be  raised  to  stand  before  his  judgment 

seat. 

29  And  he  hath  brought  to  pass  the  redemption  of  the 
world,  whereby  he  that  is  found  guiltless  before  him  at  the 
judgment  day,  hath  it  given  unto  him  to  dwell  in  the  pres- 
ence of  God  in  his  kingdom,  to  sing  ceaseless  praises  with 
the  choirs  above,  unto  the  Father,  and  unto  the  Son,  and  unto 
the  Holy  Ghost,  which  are  one  God,  in  a  state  of  happiness 
which  hath  no  end. 

30  Therefore  repent,  and  be  baptized  in  the  name  of  Jesus, 
and  lay  hold  upon  the  gospel  of  Christ,  which  shall  be  set 
before  you,  not  only  in  this  record,  but  also  in  the  record 
which  shall  come  unto  the  Gentiles  from  the  Jews,  which  rec- 
ord shall  come  from  the  Gentiles  unto  you. 

31  For  behold,  this  is  written  for  the  intent  that  ye  may 
believe  that;  and  if  ye  may  believe  that,  ye  will  believe  this 
also;  and  if  ye  believe  this,  ye  will  know  concerning  your 
fathers,  and  also  the  marvelous  works  which  were  wrought 
by  the  power  of  God  among  them; 

32  And  ye  will  also  know  that  ye  are  a  remnant  of  the 
seed  of  Jacob;  therefore  ye  are  numbered  among  the  people 
of  the  first  covenant; 

33  And  if  it  so  be  that  ye  believe  in  Christ,  and  are  bap- 
tized, first  with  water,  then  with  fire  and  with  the  Holy  Ghost, 
following  the  example  of  our  Savior  according  to  that  which 
he  hath  commanded  us,  it  shall  be  well  with  you  in  the  day 
of  judgment.    Amen. 


CHAPTER  4. 

1  ^Behold  I,  Moroni,  do  finish  the  record  of  my  father 
Mormon.  Behold,  I  have  but  few  things  to  write,  which 
things  I  have  been  commanded  of  my  father. 

2  And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  after  the  great  and  tre- 
mendous battle  at  Cumorah,  behold,  the  Nephites  who  had 
escaped  into  the  country  southward,  were  hunted  by  the  La- 
manites.  until  they  were  all  destroyed;  and  my  father  also 


CHAP.  4.]  BOOK    OF    MORMON.  705 

was  killed  by  them;  and  I,  even  remain  alone  to  write  the 
sad  tale  of  the  destruction  of  my  people. 

3  But  behold,  they  are  gone,  and  I  fulfill  the  commandment 
of  my  father. 

4  And  whether  they  will  slay  me,  I  know  not;  therefore  I 
will  write  and  hide  up  the  records  in  the  earth,  and  whither 
I  go  it  mattereth  not. 

5  Behold,  my  father  hath  made  this  record,  and  he  hath 
written  the  intent  thereof. 

6  And  behold,  I  would  write  it  also,  if  I  had  room  upon  the 
plates;  but  I  have  not;  and  ore  I  have  none,  for  I  am  alone; 
my  father  hath  been'  slain  in  battle,  and  all  my  kinsfolks,  and 
I  have  not  friends,  nor  whither  to  go;  and  how  long  the  Lord 
will  suffer  that  I  may  live,  I  know  not. 

''  '■!  Behold,  four  hundred  years  have  passed  since  the  com- 
ing of  our  Lord  and  Savior. 

8  And  behold,  the  Lamanites  have  hunted  my  people,  the 
Nephites,  down  from  city  to  city,  and  from  place  to  place, 
even  until  they  are  no  more,  and  great  has  been  their  fall; 
yea,  great  and  marvelous  is  the  destruction  of  my  people,  the 
Nephites. 

9  And  behold,  it  is  the  hand  of  the  Lord  which  hath  done  it. 

10  And  behold  also,  the  Lamanites  are  at  war  one  with 
another;  and  the  whole  face  of  this  land  is  one  continual 
round  of  murder  and  bloodshed;  and  no  one  knoweth  the  end 
of  the  war. 

11  And  now  behold,  I  say  no  more  concerning  them,  for 
there  are  none,  save  it  be  the  Lamanites  and  robbers,  that  do 
exist  upon  the  face  of  the  land; 

12  And  there  are  none  that  do  know  the  true  God,  save  it 
be  the  disciples  of  Jesus,  who  did  tarry  in  the  land  until  the 
wickedness  of  the  people  was  so  great  that  the  Lord  would 
not  suffer  them  to  remain  with  the  people;  and  whether  they 
be  upon  the  face  of  the  land,  no  man  knoweth. 

13  But  behold,  my  father  and  I  have  seen  them,  and  they 
have  ministered  unto  us. 

14  And  whoso   receiveth   this   record,   and   shall   not  con- 


706  BOOK    OF    MORMON.  [chap.  4. 

demn  it  because  of  the  imperfections  which  are  in  it,  the  same 
shall  know  of  greater  things  than  these. 

15  Behold,  I  am  Moroni;  and  were  it  possible,  I  would 
make  all  things  known  unto  you. 

16  Behold,  I  make  an  end  of  speaking  concerning  this 
people. 

17  I  am  the  son  of  Mormon,  and  my  father  was  a  descend- 
ant of  Nephi;  and  I  am  the  same  who  hideth  up  this  record 
unto  the  Lord;  the  plates  thereof  are  of  no  worth,  because 
of  the  commandment  of  the  Lord. 

18  For  he  truly  saith,  that  no  one  shall  have  them  to  get 
gain;  but  the  record  thereof  is  of  great  worth;  and  whoso 
shall  bring  it  to  light,  him  will  the  Lord  bless. 

19  For  no  one  can  have  power  to  bring  it  to  light,  save  it 
be  given  him  of  God;  for  God  will  that  it  shall  be  done  with 
an  eye  single  to  his  glory,  or  the  welfare  of  the  ancient  and 
long  dispersed  covenant  people  of  the  Lord. 

20  And  blessed  be  him  that  shall  bring  this  thing  to  light; 
for  it  shall  be  brought  out  of  darkness  unto  light,  according 
to  the  word  of  God; 

21  Yea,  it  shall  be  brought  out  of  the  earth,  and  it  shall 
shine  forth  out  of  darkness,  and  come  unto  the  knowledge  of 
the  people:  and  it  shall  be  done  by  the  power  of  God;  and  if 
there  be  faults,  they  be  faults  of  a  man. 

22  But  behold,  we  know  no  fault;  nevertheless,  God  know- 
eth  all  things;  therefore  he  that  condemneth,  let  him  beware 
lest  he  shall  be  in  danger  of  hell  fire. 

23  And  he  that  saith.  Shew  unto  me,  or  ye  shall  be  smit- 
ten, let  him  beware  lest  he  commandeth  that  which  is  for- 
bidden of  the  Lord. 

24  For  behold,  the  same  that  judgeth  rashly,  shall  be 
judged  rashly  again;  for  according  to  his  works  shall  his 
wages  be;  therefore,  he  that  smiteth,  shall  be  smitten  again 
of  the  Lord. 

25  Behold  what  the  scripture  says:  Man  shall  not  smite, 
neither  shall  he  judge;  for  judgment  is  mine,  saith  the  Lord; 
and  vengeance  is  mine  also,  and  I  will  repay. 

26  And  he  that  shall  breathe  out  wrath  and  strifes  against 


CHAP.  4.]  BOOK    OF    MORMON.  707 

the  work  of  the  Lord,  and  against  the  covenant  people  of  the 
Lord,  who  are  the  house  of  Israel,  and  shall  say,  We  will 
destroy  the  work  of  the  Lord,  and  the  Lord  will  not  remem- 
ber his  covenant  which  he  hath  made  unto  the  house  of  Israel, 
the  same  is  in  danger  to  be  hewn  down  and  cast  into  the  fire; 
for  the  eternal  purposes  of  the  Lord  shall  roll  on,  until  all 
his  promises  shall  be  fulfilled. 

27  Search  the  prophecies  of  Isaiah.  Behold,  I  can  not 
write  them. 

28  Yea,  behold  I  say  unto  you,  that  those  saints  who  have 
gone  before  me,  who  have  possessed  this  land,  shall  cry;  yea, 
even  from  the  dust  will  they  cry  unto  the  Lord;  and  as  the 
Lord  liveth,  he  will  remember  the  covenant  which  he  hath 
made  with  them. 

29  And  he  knowe'h  their  prayers  that  they  were  in  be- 
half of  their  brethren. 

30  And  he  knoweth  their  faith;  for  in  his  name  could  they 
remove  mountains;  and  in  his  name  could  they  cause  the 
earth  to  shake;  and  by  the  power  of  his  word  did  they  cause 
prisons  to  tumble  to  the  earth; 

31  Yea,  even  the  fiery  furnace  could  not  harm  them; 
neither  wild  beasts,  nor  poisonous  serpents,  because  of  the 
power  of  his  word. 

32  And  behold,  their  prayers  were  also  in  behalf  of  him 
that  the  Lord  should  suffer  to  bring  these  things  forth. 

33  And  no  one  need  say.  They  shall  not  come,  for  they 
surely  shall,  for  the  Lord  hath  spoken  it;  for  out  of  the  earth 
shall  they  come,  by  the  hand  of  the  Lord,  and  none  can 
stay  it; 

34  And  it  shall  come  in  a  day  when  it  shall  be  said  that 
miracles  are  done  away;  and  it  shall  come  even  as  if  one 
should  speak  from  the  dead. 

35  And  it  shall  come  in  a  day  when  the  blood  of  the  saints 
shall  cry  unto  the  Lord,  because  of  secret  combinations  and 
the  works  of  darkness; 

36  Yea,  it  shall  come  in  a  day  when  the  power  of  God  shall 
be  denied,  and  churches  become  defiled,  and  shall  be  lifted  up 
in  the  pride  of  their  hearts;  yea,  even  in  a  day  when  leaders 


7,08  BOOK    OF    MORMON.  [chap.  4. 

of  churches,  and  teachers,  in  the  pride  of  their  hearts,  even 
to  the  envying  of  them  who  belong  to  their  churches; 

37  Yea,  it  shall  come  in  a  day  when  there  shall  be  heard  of 
fires,  and  tempests,  and  vapors  of  smoke  in  foreign  lands; 
and  there  shall  also  be  heard  of  wars  and  rumors  of  wars, 
and  earthquakes  in  divers  places; 

38  Yea,  it  shall  come  in  a  day  when  there  shall  be  great 
pollutions  upon  the  face  of  the  earth; 

39  There  shall  be  murders  and  robbing,  and  lying,  and  de- 
ceivings,  and  whoredoms,  and  all  manner  of  abominations, 
when  there  shall  be  many  who  will  say.  Do  this,  or  do  that, 
and  it  mattereth  not,  for  the  Lord  will  uphold  such  at  the  last 
day. 

40  But  wo  unto  such,  for  they  are  in  the  gall  of  bitterness, 
and  in  the  bonds  of  iniquity. 

41  Yea,  it  shall  come  in  a  day  when  there  shall  be  churches 
built  up  that  shall  say.  Come  unto  me,  and  for  your  money 
you  shall  be  forgiven  of  your  sins. 

42  O  ye  wicked  and  perverse,  and  stiff-necked  people,  why 
have  ye  built  up  churches  unto  yourselves  to  get  gain? 

43  Why  have  ye  transfigured  the  holy  word  of  God,  that 
ye  might  bring  damnation  upon  your  souls? 

44  Behold,  look  ye  unto  the  revelations  of  God.  For  be- 
hold, the  time  cometh  at  that  day  when  all  these  things  must 
be  fulfilled. 

45  Behold,  the  Lord  hath  shewn  unto  me  great  and  mar- 
velous things  concerning  that  which  must  shortly  come  at 
that  day  when  these  things  shall  come  forth  among  you. 

46  Behold,  I  speak  unto  you  as  if  ye  were  present,  and  yet 
ye  are  not. 

47  But  behold,  Jesus  Christ  hath  shewn  you  unto  me,  and 
I  know  your  doing;  and  I  know  that  ye  do  walk  in  the  pride 
of  your  hearts; 

48  And  there  are  none,  save  a  few  only,  who  do  not  lift 
themselves  up  in  the  pride  of  their  hearts,  unto  the  wearing 
of  very  fine  apparel,  unto  envying,  and  strifes,  and  malice, 
and  persecutions,  and  all  manner  of  iniquity; 


CHAP.  4.]  BOOK    OF    MORMON.  709 

49  And  your  churches,  yea,  even  every  one,  have  become 
polluted  because  of  the  pride  of  your  hearts. 

50  For  behold,  ye  do  love  money,  and  your  substance,  and 
your  fine  apparel,  and  the  adorning  of  your  churches,  more 
than  ye  love  the  poor  and  the  needy,  the  sick  and  the  afflicted. 

51  O  ye  pollutions,  ye  hypocrites,  ye  teachers,  who  sell 
yourselves  for  that  which  will  canker,  why  have  ye  polluted 
the  holy  church  of  God? 

52  Why  are  ye  ashamed  to  take  upon  you  the  name  of 
Christ? 

53  Why  do  you  not  think  that  greater  is  the  value  of  an 
endless  happiness,  than  that  misery  which  never  dies,  because 
of  the  praise  of  the  world? 

54  Why  do  ye  adorn  yourselves  with  that  which  hath  no 
life,  and  yet  suffer  the  hungry,  and  the  needy,  and  the  naked, 
and  the  sick,  and  the  afflicted  to  pass  by  you,  and  notice  them 
not? 

55  Yea,  why  do  ye  build  up  your  secret  abominations  to 
get  gain,  and  cause  that  widows  should  mourn  before  the 
Lord,  and  also  orphans  to  mourn  before  the  Lord;  and  also 
the  blood  of  their  fathers  and  their  husbands  to  cry  unto  the 
Lord  from  the  ground,  for  vengeance  upon  your  heads? 

56  Behold  the  sword  of  vengeance  hangeth  over  you;  and 
the  time  soon  cometh  that  he  avengeth  the  blood  of  the  saints 
upon  you,  for  he  will  not  suffer  their  cries  any  longer. 

57  And  now,  I  speak  also  concerning  those  who  do  not  be- 
lieve in  Christ. 

58  Behold,  will  ye  believe  in  the  day  of  your  visitation ;  be- 
hold, when  the  Lord  shall  come;  yea,  even  that  great  day 
when  the  earth  shall  be  rolled  together  as  a  scroll,  and  the 
elements  shall  melt  with  fervent  heat; 

59  Yea,  in  that  great  day  when  ye  shall  be  brought  to 
stand  before  the  Lamb  of  God,  then  will  ye  say  that  there  is 
no  God? 

60  Then  will  ye  longer  deny  the  Christ,  or  can  ye  behold 
the  Lamb  of  God? 

61  Do  ye  suppose  that  ye  shall  dwell  with  him  under  a  con- 
sciousness of  your  guilt? 


710  BOOK    OF    MORMON.  [chap.  4. 

62  Do  ye  suppose  that  ye  could  be  happy  to  dwell  with  that 
holy  being,  when  your  souls  are  racked  with  a  consciousness 
of  your  guilt  that  ye  have  ever  abused  his  laws? 

63  Behold  I  say  unto  you,  that  ye  would  be  more  miserable 
to  dwell  with  a  holy  and  just  God,  under  a  consciousness  of 
your  filthiness  before  him,  than  ye  would  to  dwell  with  the 
damned  souls  in  hell. 

64  For  behold,  when  ye  shall  be  brought  to  see  your  naked- 
ness before  God,  and  also  the  glory  of  God,  and  the  holiness 
of  Jesus  Christ,  it  will  kindle  a  flame  of  unquenchable  fire 
upon  you. 

65  0  then  ye  unbelieving,  turn  ye  unto  the  Lord;  cry 
mightily  unto  the  Father  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  that  perhaps 
ye  may  be  found  spotless,  pure,  fair  and  white,  having  been 
cleansed  by  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  at  that  great  and  last  day. 

66  And  again  I  speak  unto  you,  who  deny  the  revelations 
of  God,  and  say  that  they  are  done  away,  that  there  are  no 
revelations,  nor  prophecies,  nor  gifts,  nor  healing,  nor  speak- 
ing with  tongues,  and  the  interpretation  of  tongues. 

67  Behold  I  say  unto  you.  He  that  denieth  these  things, 
knoweth  not  the  gospel  of  Christ;  yea,  he  has  not  read  the 
scriptures;  if  so,  he  does  not  understand  them. 

68  For  do  we  not  read  that  God  is  the  same  yesterday,  to- 
day, and  for  ever;  and  in  him  there  is  no  variableness  neither 
shadow  of  changing. 

69  And  now,  if  ye  have  imagined  up  unto  yourselves  a  god 
who  doth  vary,  and  in  him  there  is  shadow  of  changing,  then 
have  ye  imagined  up  unto  yourselves  a  god  who  is  not  a  god 
of  miracles. 

70  But  behold,  I  will  shew  unto  you  a  God  of  miracles, 
even  the  God  of  Abraham,  and  the  God  of  Isaac,  and  the  God 
of  Jacob;  and  it  is  that  same  God  who  created  the  heavens 
and  the  earth,  and  all  things  that  in  them  are. 

71  Behold,  he  created  Adam.;  and  by  Adam  came  the  fall 
of  man.  And  because  of  the  fall  of  man,  came  Jesus  Christ, 
even  the  Father  and  the  Son;  and  because  of  Jesus  Christ 
came  the  redemption  of  man.  '' 

72  And  because  of  the  redemption  of  man,  which  came  by 


CHAP.  4.]  BOOK    OF    MORMON.  711 

Jesus  Christ,  they  are  brought  back  into  the  presence  of  the 
Lord;  yea,  this  is  wherein  all  men  are  redeemed,  because  the 
death  of  Christ  bringeth  to  pass  the  resurrection,  which 
bringeth  to  pass  a  redemption  from  an  endless  sleep,  from 
which  sleep  all  men  shall  be  awoke  by  the  power  of  God, 
when  the  trump  shall  sound; 

73  And  they  shall  come  forth,  both  small  and  great,  and 
all  shall  stand  before  his  bar,  being  redeemed  and  loosed  from 
this  eternal  band  of  death,  which  death  is  a  temporal  death; 

74  And  then  cometh  the  judgment  of  the  Holy  One  upon 
them;  and  then  cometh  the  time  that  he  that  is  filthy,  shall 
be  filthy  still,  and  he  that  is  righteous,  shall  be  righteous  still ; 
he  that  is  happy,  shall  be  happy  still;  and  he  that  is  unhappy, 
shall  be  unhappy  still. 

75  And  now,  O  all  ye  that  have  imagined  up  unto  your- 
selves a  god  who  can  do  no  miracles,  I  would  ask  of  you.  Have 
all  these  things  past,  of  which  I  have  spoken?  Has  the  end 
come  yet? 

76  Behold  I  say  unto  you,  Nay;  and  God  has  not  ceased  to 
be  a  God  of  miracles. 

77  Behold,  are  not  the  things  that  God  hath  wrought  mar- 
velous in  our  eyes?  Yea,  and  who  can  comprehend  the  mar- 
velous works  of  God? 

78  Who  shall  say  that  it  was  not  a  miracje,  that  by  his 
word  the  heaven  and  the  earth  should  be;  and  by  the  power 
of  his  word,  man  was  created  of  the  dust  of  the  earth;  and 
by  the  power  of  his  word,  hath  miracles  been  wrought? 

79  And  who  shall  say  that  Jesus  Christ  did  not  do  many 
mighty  miracles? 

80  And  there  were  many  mighty  miracles  wrought  by  the 
hands  of  the  apostles. 

81  And  if  there  were  miracles  wrought,  then  why  has  God 
ceased  to  be  a  God  of  miracles,  and  yet  be  an  unchangeable 
being. 

82  And  behold  I  say  unto  you.  He  changeth  not;  if  so,  he 
would  cease  to  be  God;  and  he  ceaseth  not  to  be  God,  and  is 
a  God  of  miracles. 

83  And  the  reason  why  he  ceaseth  to  do  miracles  among 


712  BOOK    OF    MORMON.  [chap.  4. 

the  children  of  men,  is  because  that  they  dwindle  in  unbelief, 
and  depart  from  the  right  way,  and  know  not  the  God  in 
whom  they  should  trust. 

84  Behold  I  say  unto  you,  that  whoso  believeth  in  Christ, 
doubting  nothing,  whatsoever  he  shall  ask  the  Father  in  the 
name  of  Christ,  it  shall  be  granted  him;  and  this  promise  is 
unto  all,  even  unto  the  ends  of  the  earth. 

85  For  behold,  thus  saith  Jesus  Christ,  the  Son  of  God, 
unto  his  disciples  who  should  tarry;  yea,  and  also  to  all  his 
disciples,  in  the  hearing  of  the  multitude, 

86  Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every 
creature;  and  he  that  believeth  and  is  baptized,  shall  be 
saved,  but  he  that  believeth  not,  shall  be  damned. 

87  And  these  signs  shall  follow  them  that  believe:  in  my 
name  shall  they  cast  out  devils;  they  shall  speak  with  new 
tongues;  they  shall  take  up  serpents;  and  if  they  drink  any 
deadly  thing,  it  shall  not  hurt  them;  they  shall  lay  hands  on 
the  sick,  and  they  shall  recover; 

88  And  whosoever  shall  believe  in  my  name,  doubting  noth- 
ing, unto  him  will  I  confirm  all  my  words,  even  unto  the  ends 
of  the  earth. 

89  And  now  behold,  who  can  stand  against  the  works  of 
the  Lord?     Who  can  deny  his  sayings? 

90  Who  will,  rise  up  against  the  almighty  power  of  the 
Lord?  Who  will  despise  the  works  of  the  Lord?  Who  will 
despise  the  children  of  Christ? 

91  Behold,  all  ye  who  are  despisers  of  the  works  of  the 
Lord,  for  ye  shall  wonder  and  perish. 

92  O  then  despise  not,  and  wonder  not,  but  hearken  unto 
the  words  of  the  Lord,  and  ask  the  Father  in  the  name  of 
Jesus  for  what  things  soever  ye  shall  stand  in  need. 

93  Doubt  not,  but  be  believing,  and  begin  as  in  times  of  old, 
and  come  unto  the  Lord  with  all  your  heart,  and  work  out 
your  own  salvation  with  fear  and  trembling  before  him. 

94  Be  wise  in  the  days  of  your  probation;  strip  yourselves 
of  all  uncleanness;  ask  not,  that  ye  may  consume  it  on  your 
lusts,  but  ask  with  a  firmness  unshaken,  that  ye  will  yield  to 
no  temptation,  but  that  ye  will  serve  the  true  and  living  God. 


CHAP.  4.]  BOOK    OF    MORMON.  713 

95  See  that  ye  are  not  baptized  unworthily;  see  that  ye 
partake  not  of  the  sacrament  of  Christ  unworthily;  but  see 
that  ye  do  all  things  in  worthiness,  and  do  it  in  the  name  of 
Jesus  Christ,  the  Son  of  the  living  God:  and  if  ye  do  this, 
and  endure  to  the  end,  ye  will  in  no  wise  be  cast  out. 

96  Behold,  I  speak  unto  you  as  though  I  spake  from  the 
dead;  for  I  know  that  ye  shall  have  my  words. 

97  Condemn  me  not  because  of  mine  imperfection;  neither 
my  father,  because  of  his  imperfection;  neither  them  who 
have  written  before  him,  but  rather  give  thanks  unto  God 
that  he  hath  made  manifest  unto  you  our  Imperfections,  that 
ye  may  learn  to  be  more  wise  than  we  have  been. 

98  TJAnd  now  behold,  we  have  written  this  record  accord- 
ing to  our  knowledge  in  the  characters,  which  are  called 
among  us  the  reformed  Egyptian,  being  handed  down  and 
altered  by  us,  according  to  our  manner  of  speech. 

99  And  if  our  plates  had  been  sufficiently  large,  we  should 
have  written  in  the  Hebrew;  but  the  Hebrew  hath  been 
altered  by  us  also;  and  if  we  could  have  written  in  the  He- 
brew, behold,  ye  would  have  had  no  imperfection  in  our 
record. 

100  But  the  Lord  knoweth  the  things  which  we  have  writ- 
ten, and  also  that  none  other  people  knoweth  our  language, 
and  because  that  none  other  people  knoweth  our  language, 
therefore  he  hath  prepared  means  for  the  interpretation 
thereof. 

101  And  these  things  are  written,  that  we  may  rid  our 
garments  of  the  blood  of  our  brethren  who  have  dwindled  in 
unbelief. 

102  And  behold,  these  things  which  we  have  desired  con- 
cerning our  brethren,  yea,  even  their  restoration  to  the  knowl- 
edge of  Christ,  is  according  to  the  prayers  of  all  the  saints 
who  have  dwelt  in  the  land. 

103  And  may  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  grant  that  their 
prayers  may  be  answered  according  to  their  faith;  and  may 
God  the  Father  remember  the  covenant  which  he  hath  made 
with  the  house  of  Israel;  and  may  he  bless  them  for  ever, 
through  faith  on  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 


714  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  [chap.  1, 

BOOK  OF  ETHER. 


CHAPTER   1. 

1  IJAnd  now  I,  Moroni,  proceed  to  give  an  account  of  those 
ancient  inhabitants  who  were  destroyed  by  the  hand  of  the 
Lord  upon  the  face  of  this  north  country. 

2  And  I  take  mine  account  from  the  twenty  and  four  plates 
which  were  found  by  the  people  of  Limhi,  which  is  called  the 
book  of  Ether. 

3  And  as  I  suppose  that  the  first  part  of  this  record,  which 
speaks  concerning  the  creation  of  the  world,  and  also  of 
Adam,  and  an  account  from  that  time  even  to  the  great 
tower,  and  whatsoever  things  transpired  among  the  children 
of  men  until  that  time,  is  had  among  the  Jews, 

4  Therefore  I  do  not  write  those  things  which  transpired 
from  the  days  of  Adam  until  that  time;  but  they  are  had 
upon  the  plates;  and  whoso  findeth  them,  the  same  will  have 
power  that  he  may  get  the  full  account. 

5  But  behold,  I  give  not  the  full  account,  but  a  part  of  the 
account  I  give,  from  the  tower  down  until  they  were  de- 
stroyed.    And  on  this  wise  do  I  give  the  account. 

6  He  that  wrote  this  record  was  Ether,  and  he  was  a  de- 
scendant of  Coriantor;  and  Coriantor  was  the  son  of  Moron; 
and  Moron  was  the  son  of  Ethem;  and  Ethem  was  the  son  of 
Ahah;  and  Ahah  was  the  son  of  Seth;  and  Seth  was  the  son 
of  Shiblon;  and  Shiblon  was  the  son  of  Com;  and  Com  was 
the  son  of  Coriantum;  and  Coriantum  was  the  son  of  Amni- 
gaddah;  and  Amnigaddah  was  the  son  of  Aaron;  and  Aaron 
was  a  descendant  of  Heth,  who  was  the  son  of  Hearthom; 
and  Hearthom  was  the  son  of  Lib;  and  Lib  was  the  son  of 
Kish;  and  Kish  was  the  son  of  Corum;  and  Corum  was  the 
son  of  Levi;  and  Levi  was  the  son  of  Kim;  and  Kim  was  the 
son  of  Morianton;  and  Morianton  was  a  descendant  of  Rip- 
lakish;  and  Riplakish  was  the  son  of  Shez;  and  Shez  was  the 
son  of  Heth;  and  Heth  was  the  son  of  Com;  and  Com  was 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  715 

the  son  of  Coriantum;  and  Coriantum  was  the  son  of  Emer; 
and  Emer  was  the  son  of  Omer;  and  Omer  was  the  son  of 
Shule;  and  Shule  was  the  son  of  Kib;  and  Kib  was  the  son 
of  Orihah,  who  was  the  son  of  Jared; 

7  Which  Jared  came  forth  with  his  brother  and  their  fami- 
lies, with  some  others  and  their  families,  from  the  great 
tower,  at  the  time  the  Lord  confounded  the  language  of  the 
people,  and  swear  in  his  wrath  that  they  should  be  scattered 
upon  all  the  face  of  the  earth;  and  according  to  the  word  of 
the  Lord  the  people  were  scattered. 

8  And  the  brother  of  Jared  being  a  large  and  a  mighty- 
man,  and  being  a  man  highly  favored  of  the  Lord,  for  Jared 
his  brother  said  unto  him.  Cry  unto  the  Lord,  that  he  will 
not  confound  us  that  we  may  not  understand  our  words. 

9  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  brother  of  Jared  did  cry 
unto  the  Lord,  and  the  Lord  had  compassion  upon  Jared; 
therefore  he  did  not  confound  the  language  of  Jared;  and 
Jared  and  his  brother  were  not  confounded. 

10  Then  Jared  said  unto  his  brother,  Cry  again  unto  the 
Lord,  and  it  may  be  that  he  will  turn  away  his  anger  from 
them  who  are  our  friends,  that  he  confound  not  their  lan- 
guage. 

11  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  brother  of  Jared  did  cry 
unto  the  Lord,  and  the  Lord  had  compassion  upon  their 
friends,  and  their  families  also,  that  they  were  not  con- 
founded. 

12  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Jared  spake  again  unto  his 
brother,  saying.  Go  and  inquire  of  the  Lord  whether  he  will 
drive  us  out  of  the  land,  and  if  he  will  drive  us  out  of  the 
land,  cry  unto  him  whither  we  shall  go. 

13  And  who  knoweth  but  the  Lord  will  carry  us  forth  into 
a  land  which  is  choice  above  all  the  earth. 

14  And  if  it  so  be,  let  us  be  faithful  unto  the  Lord,  that 
we  may  receive  it  for  our  inheritance. 

15  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  brother  of  Jared  did  cry 
unto  the  Lord  according  to  that  which  had  been  spoken  by  the 
mouth  of  Jared. 

16  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  did  hear  the  brother 


716  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  [chap.  1. 

of  Jared,  and  had  compassion  upon  him,  and  said  unto  him, 
Go  to  and  gather  together  thy  flocks,  both  male  and  female, 
of  every  kind;  and  also  of  the  seed  of  the  earth  of  every 
kind,  and  thy  family;  and  also  Jared  thy  brother  and  his 
family;  and  also  thy  friends  and  their  families,  and  the 
friends  of  Jared  and  their  families. 

17  And  when  thou  hast  done  this,  thou  shalt  go  at  the 
head  of  them  down  into  the  valley,  which  is  northward. 

18  And  there  will  I  meet  thee,  and  I  will  go  before  thee 
into  a  land  which  is  choice  above  all  the  land  of  the  earth. 

19  And  there  will  I  bless  thee  and  thy  seed,  and  raise  up 
unto  me  of  thy  seed,  and  of  the  seed  of  thy  brother,  and 
they  who  shall  go  with  thee,  a  great  nation. 

20  And  there  shall  be  none  greater  than  the  nation  which 
I  will  raise  up  unto  me  of  thy  seed,  upon  all  the  face  of  the 
earth. 

21  And  this  I  will  do  unto  thee  because  this  long  time  ye 
have  cried  unto  me. 

22  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  Jared,  and  his  brother,  and 
their  families,  and  also  the  friends  of  Jared  and  his  brother, 
and  their  families,  went  down  into  the  valley  which  was 
northward,  (and  the  name  of  the  valley  was  Nimrod,  being 
called  after  the  mighty  hunter,)  with  their  flocks  which  they 
had  gathered  together,  male  and  female,  of  every  kind. 

23  And  they  did  also  lay  snares  and  catch  fowls  of  the 
air,  and  they  did  also  prepare  a  vessel,  in  which  thej^  did 
carry  with  them  the  fish  of  the  waters; 

24  And  they  did  also  carry  with  them  deseret,  which,  by 
interpretation  is  a  honey  bee;  and  thus  they  did  carry  with 
them  swarms  of  bees,  and  all  manner  of  that  which  was 
upon  the  face  of  the  land,  seeds  of  every  kind. 

25  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  they  had  come  down  into 
the  valley  of  Nimrod,  the  Lord  came  down  and  talked  with 
the  brother  of  Jared;  and  he  was  in  a  cloud,  and  the  brother 
of  Jared  saw  him  not. 

26  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  commanded  them  that 
they  should  go  forth  into  the  wilderness,  yea,  into  that  quar- 
ter where  there  never  had  man  been. 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  717 

27  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  did  go  before  them, 
and  did  talk  with  them  as  he  stood  in  a  cloud,  and  gave  di- 
rections whither  they  should  travel. 

28  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  travel  in  the  wilder- 
ness, and  did  build  barges,  in  which  they  did  cross  many 
waters,  being  directed  continually  by  the  hand  of  the  Lord. 

29  And  the  Lord  would  not  suffer  that  they  should  stop 
beyond  the  sea  in  the  wilderness,  but  he  would  that  they 
should  come  forth  even  unto  the  land  of  promise,  which  was 
choice  above  all  other  lands,  which  the  Lord  God  had  pre- 
served for  a  righteous  people; 

30  And  he  had  sworn  in  his  wrath  unto  the  brother  of 
Jared,  that  whoso  should  possess  this  land  of  promise,  from 
that  time  henceforth  and  for  ever,  should  serve  him,  the  true 
and  only  God,  or  they  should  be  swept  off  when  the  fullness 
of  his  wrath  should  come  upon  them. 

31  And  now  we  can  behold  the  decrees  of  God  concerning 
this  land,  that  it  is  a  land  of  promise,  and  whatsoever  nation 
shall  possess  it,  shall  serve  God,  or  they  shall  be  swept  off 
when  the  fullness  of  his  wrath  shall  come  upon  them. 

32  And  the  fullness  of  his  wrath  cometh  upon  them  when 
they  are  ripened  in  iniquity;  for  behold,  this  is  a  land  which 
is  choice  above  all  other  lands;  wherefore  he  that  doth  pos- 
sess it  shall  serve  God,  or  shall  be  swept  off;  for  it  is  the  ever- 
lasting decree  of  God. 

33  And  it  is  not  until  the  fullness  of  iniquity  among  the 
children  of  the  land,  that  they  are  swept  off. 

34  And  this  cometh  unto  you,  O  ye  Gentiles,  that  ye  may 
know  the  decrees  of  God,  that  ye  may  repent,  and  not  con- 
tinue in  your  iniquities  until  the  fullness  come,  that  ye  may 
not  bring  down  the  fullness  of  the  wrath  of  God  upon  you, 
as  the  inhabitants  of  the  land  have  hitherto  done. 

35  Behold,  this  is  a  choice  land,  and  whatsoever  nation 
shall  possess  it,  shall  be  free  from  bondage,  and  from  cap- 
tivity, and  from  all  other  nations  under  heaven,  if  they  will 
but  serve  the  God  of  the  land,  who  is  Jesus  Christ  who  hath 
been  manifested  by  the  things  which  we  have  written. 

36  And  now  I  proceed  with  my  record;  for  behold  it  came 


718  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  [chap.  1. 

to  pass  that  the  Lord  did  bring  Jared  and  his  brethren  forth 
even  to  that  great  sea  which  divideth  the  lands. 

37  And  as  they  came  to  the  sea,  they  pitched  their  tents; 
and  they  called  the  name  of  the  place  Moriancumer;  and  they 
dwelt  in  tents;  and  dwelt  in  tents  upon  the  sea-shore  for  the 
space  of  four  years. 

38  And  it  came  to  pass  at  the  end  of  four  years,  that  the 
Lord  came  again  unto  the  brother  of  Jared,  and  stood  in  a 
cloud  and  talked  with  him. 

39  And  for  the  space  of  three  hours  did  the  Lord  talk  with 
the  brother  of  Jared,  and  chastened  him  because  he  remem- 
bered not  to  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord. 

40  And  the  brother  of  Jared  repented  of  the  evil  which  he 
had  done,  and  did  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord  for  his 
brethren  who  were  with  him. 

41  And  the  Lord  said  unto  him,  I  will  forgive  thee  and  thy 
brethren  of  their  sins;  but  thou  shalt  not  sin  any  more,  for 
ye  shall  remember  that  my  Spirit  will  not  always  strive  with 
man;  wherefore  if  ye  will  sin  until  ye  are  fully  ripe,  ye  shall 
be  cut  off  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord. 

42  And  these  are  my  thoughts  upon  the  land  which  I  shall 
give  you  for  your  inheritance;  for  it  shall  be  a  land  choice 
above  all  other  lands. 

43  And  the  Lord  said,  Go  to  work  and  build,  after  the  man- 
ner of  barges  which  ye  have  hitherto  built. 

44  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  brother  of  Jared  did  go  to 
work,  and  also  his  brethren,  and  built  barges  after  the  man- 
ner which  they  had  built,  according  to  the  instructions  of  the 
Lord. 

45  And  they  were  small,  and  they  were  light  upon  the 
water,  even  like  unto  the  lightness  of  a  fowl  upon  the  water; 
and  they  were  built  after  a  manner  that  they  were  exceeding 
tight,  even  that  they  would  hold  water  like  unto  a  dish ; 

46  And  the  bottom  thereof  was  tight  like  unto  a  dish;  and 
the  sides  thereof  were  tight  like  unto  a  dish;  and  the  ends 
thereof  were  peaked;  and  the  top  thereof  was  tight  like  unto 
a  dish;  and  the  length  thereof  was  the  length  of  a  tree;  and 
the  door  thereof,  when  it  was  shut,  was  tight  like  unto  a  dish. 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  719 

47  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  brother  of  Jared  cried 
unto  the  Lord,  saying,  O  Lord  I  have  performed  the  work 
which  thou  hast  commanded  me,  and  I  have  made  the  barges 
according  as  thou  hast  directed  me. 

48  And  behold,  O  Lord,  in  them  there  is  no  light,  whither 
shall  we  steer? 

49  And  also  we  shall  perish,  for  in  them  we  can  not 
breathe,  save  it  is  the  air  which  is  in  them ;  therefore  we  shall 
perish. 

50  And  the  Lord  said  unto  the  brother  of  Jared,  Behold, 
thou  shalt  make  a  hole  in  the  top  thereof,  and  also  in  the 
bottom  thereof;  and  when  thou  shalt  suffer  for  air,  thou  shalt 
unstop  the  hole  thereof,  and  receive  air. 

51  And  if  it  so  be  that  the  water  come  in  upon  thee,  be- 
hold, ye  shall  stop  the  hole  thereof,  that  ye  may  not  perish 
in  the  flood. 

52  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  brother  of  Jared  did  so, 
according  as  the  Lord  had  commanded. 

53  And  he  cried  again  unto  the  Lord,  saying,  O  Lord,  be- 
hold, I  have  done  even  as  thou  hast  commanded  me;  and  I 
have  prepared  the  vessels  for  my  people,  and  behold,  there  is 
no  light  in  them. 

54  Behold,  O  Lord,  wilt  thou  suffer  that  we  shall  cross 
this  great  water  in  darkness? 

55  And  the  Lord  said  unto  the  brother  of  Jared,  What  will 
ye  that  I  should  do  that  ye  may  have  light  in  your  vessels? 

56  For  behold,  ye  can  not  have  windows,  for  they  will  be 
dashed  in  pieces;  neither  shall  ye  take  fire  with  you,  for  ye 
shall  not  go  by  the  light  of  fire;  for  behold,  ye  shall  be  as  a 
whale  in  the  midst  of  the  sea;  for  the  mountain  waves  shall 
dash  upon  you. 

57  Nevertheless,  I  will  bring  you  up  again  out  of  the 
depths  of  the  sea;  for  the  winds  have  gone  forth  out  of  my 
mouth,  and  also  the  rains  and  the  floods  have  I  sent  forth. 

58  And  behold,  I  prepare  you  against  these  things;  for 
howbeit,  ye  can  not  cross  this  great  deep,  save  I  prepare  you 
against  the  waves  of  the  sea,  and  the  winds  which  have  gone 
forth,  and  the  floods  which  shall  come. 


720  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  [chap.  1. 

59  Therefore  what  will  ye  that  I  should  prepare  for  you, 
that  ye  may  have  light  when  ye  are  swallowed  up  in  the 
depths  of  the  sea? 

60  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  brother  of  Jared,  (now 
the  number  of  the  vessels  which  had  been  prepared,  was 
eight,)  went  forth  unto  the  mount,  which  they  called  the 
mount  Shelem,  because  of  its  exceeding  height,  and  did  moul- 
ten  out  of  a  rock  sixteen  small  stones; 

61  And  they  were  white  and  clear,  even  as  transparent 
glass,  and  he  did  carry  them  in  his  hands  upon  the  top  of 
the  mount,  and  cried  again  unto  the  Lord,  saying,  O  Lord, 
thou  hast  said  that  we  must  be  encompassed  about  by  the 
floods. 

62  Now  behold,  O  Lord,  and  do  not  be  angry  with  thy 
servant  because  of  his  weakness  before  thee;  for  we  know 
that  thou  art  holy,  and  dwellest  in  the  heavens,  and  that  we 
are  unworthy  before  thee; 

63  Because  of  the  fall,  our  natures  have  become  evil  con- 
tinually; nevertheless,  O  Lord,  thou  hast  given  us  a  com- 
mandment that  we  must  call  upon  thee,  that  from  thee  we 
may  receive  according  to  our  desires. 

64  Behold,  O  Lord,  thou  hast  smitten  us  because  of  our 
iniquity,  and  hath  driven  us  forth,  and  for  this  many  years 
we  have  been  in  the  wilderness;  nevertheless,  thou  hast  been 
merciful  unto  us. 

65  O  Lord,  look  upon  me  in  pity,  and  turn  away  thine 
anger  from  this  thy  people,  and  suffer  not  that  they  shall  go 
forth  across  this  raging  deep  in  darkness,  but  behold  these 
things  which  I  have  moulten  out  of  the  rock. 

66  And  I  know,  O  Lord,  that  thou  hast  all  power,  and  can 
do  whatsoever  thou  wilt  for  the  benefit  of  man;  therefore 
touch  these  stones,  O  Lord,  with  thy  finger,  and  prepare  them 
that  they  may  shine  forth  in  darkness:  and  they  shall  shine 
forth  unto  us  in  the  vessels  which  we  have  prepared,  that  we 
may  have  light  while  we  shall  cross  the  sea. 

67  Behold,  0  Lord,  thou  canst  do  this.  We  know  that  thou 
art  able  to  shew  forth  great  power,  which  looks  small  unto 
the  understanding  of  men. 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  721 

68  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  the  brother  of  Jared  had 
said  these  words,  behold,  the  Lord  stretched  forth  his  hand 
and  touched  the  stones,  one  by  one,  with  his  finger; 

69  And  the  vail  was  taken  from  off  the  eyes  of  the  brother 
of  Jared,  and  he  saw  the  finger  of  the  Lord;  and  it  was  as 
the  finger  of  a  man,  like  unto  flesh  and  blood ;  and  the  brother 
of  Jared  fell  down  before  the  Lord,  for  he  was  struck  with 
fear. 

70  And  the  Lord  saw  that  the  brother  of  Jared  had  fallen 
to  the  earth;  and  the  Lord  said  unto  him.  Arise,  why  hast 
thou  fallen? 

71  And  he  saith  unto  the  Lord,  I  saw  the  finger  of  the 
Lord,  and  I  feared  lest  he  should  smite  me;  for  I  knew  not 
that  the  Lord  had  flesh  and  blood. 

72  And  the  Lord  said  unto  him,  Because  of  thy  faith  thou 
hast  seen  that  I  shall  take  upon  me  flesh  and  blood;  and 
never  has  man  come  before  me  with  such  exceeding  faith  as 
thou  hast;  for  were  it  not  so,  ye  could  not  have  seen  my 
finger.     Sawest  thou  more  than  this? 

73  And  he  answered.  Nay,  Lord,  shew  thyself  unto  me. 

74  And  the  Lord  said  unto  him,  Believest  thou  the  words 
which  I  shall  speak? 

75  And  he  answered.  Yea,  Lord,  I  know  that  thou  speak- 
est  the  truth,  for  thou  art  a  God  of  truth,  and  canst  not  lie. 

76  And  when  he  had  said  these  words,  behold  the  Lord 
shewed  himself  unto  him,  and  said.  Because  thou  knowest 
these  things,  ye  are  redeemed  from  the  fall;  therefore  ye  are 
brought  back  into  my  presence;  therefore  I  shew  myself  unto 
you. 

77  Behold,  I  am  he  who  was  prepared  from  the  foundation 
of  the  world  to  redeem  my  people.  Behold,  I  am  Jesus  Christ. 
I  am  the  Father  and  the  Son. 

78  In  me  shall  all  mankind  have  life,  and  that  eternally, 
even  they  who  shall  believe  on  my  name;  and  they  shall  be- 
come my  sons  and  my  daughters. 

79  And  never  have  I  shewed  myself  unto  man  whom  I  have 
created,  for  never  has  man  believed  in  me  as  thou  hast. 

80  Seest  thou  that  ye  are  created  after  mine  own  image? 


722  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  [chap.  1. 

Yea,  even  all  men  were  created  in  the  beginning,  after  mine 
own  image? 

81  Behold  this  body,  which  ye  now  behold,  is  the  body  of 
my  spirit;  and  man  have  I  created  after  the  body  of  my 
spirit;  and  even  as  I  appear  unto  thee  to  be  in  the  spirit,  will 
I  appear  unto  my  people  in  the  flesh. 

82  ^And  now,  as  I,  Moroni,  said  I  could  not  make  a  full 
account  of  these  things  which  are  written,  therefore  it  suf- 
ficeth  me  to  say,  that  Jesus  shewed  himself  unto  this  man  in 
the  spirit,  even  after  the  manner  and  in  the  likeness  of  the 
same  body,  even  as  he  shewed  himself  unto  the  Nephites; 

83  And  he  ministered  unto  him,  even  as  he  ministered  unto 
the  Nephites;  and  all  this,  that  this  man  knew  that  he  was 
God,  because  of  the  many  great  works  which  the  Lord  had 
shewed  unto  him. 

84  And  because  of  the  knowledge  of  this  man,  he  could  not 
be  kept  from  beholding  within  the  vail ;  and  he  saw  the  finger 
of  Jesus,  which,  when  he  saw,  he  fell  with  fear;  for  he  knew 
that  it  was  the  finger  of  the  Lord; 

85  And  he  had  faith  no  longer,  for  he  knew,  nothing  doubt- 
ing; wherefore,  having  this  perfect  knowledge  of  God,  he 
could  not  be  kept  from  within  the  vail;  therefore  he  saw 
Jesus,  and  he  did  minister  unto  him. 

86  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  said  unto  the  brother 
of  Jared,  Behold,  thou  shalt  not  suffer  these  things  which  ye 
have  seen  and  heard,  to  go  forth  unto  the  world,  until  the 
time  cometh  that  I  shall  glorify  my  name  in  the  flesh ;  where- 
fore, ye  shall  treasure  up  the  things  which  ye  have  seen  and 
heard,  and  shew  it  to  no  man. 

87  And  behold,  when  ye  shall  come  unto  me,  ye  shall  write 
them  and  shall  seal  them  up,  that  no  one  can  interpret  them ; 
for  ye  shall  write  them  in  a  language  that  they  can  not  be 
read. 

88  And  behold,  these  two  stones  will  I  give  unto  thee,  and 
ye  shall  seal  them  up  also,  with  the  things  which  ye  shall 
write. 

89  For  behold,  the  language  which  ye  shall  write,  I  have 
confounded;  wherefore  I  will  cause  in  mine  own  due  time  that 


CHAP.  1.]  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  723 

these  stones  shall  magnify  to  the  eyes  of  men,  these  things 
which  ye  shall  write. 

90  And  when  the  Lord  had  said  these  words,  he  shewed 
unto  the  brother  of  Jared  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth 
which  had  been,  and  also  all  that  would  be;  and  the  Lord 
withheld  them  not  from  his  sight,  even  unto  the  ends  of  the 
earth ; 

91  For  the  Lord  had  said  unto  him  in  times  before,  that 
if  he  would  believe  in  him,  that  he  could  shew  unto  him  all 
things — it  should  be  shewn  unto  him;  therefore  the  Lord 
could  not  withhold  anything  from  him;  for  he  knew  that  the 
Lord  could  shew  him  all  things. 

92  And  the  Lord  said  unto  him.  Write  these  things  and 
seal  them  up,  and  I  will  shew  them  in  mine  own  due  time 
unto  the  children  of  men. 

93  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  commanded  him 
that  he  should  seal  up  the  two  stones  which  he  had  received, 
and  shew  them  not,  until  the  Lord  should  shew  them  unto  the 
children  of  men. 

94  And  the  Lord  commanded  the  brother  of  Jared  to  go 
down  out  of  the  mount  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  and 
write  the  things  which  he  had  seen;  and  they  were  forbidden 
to  come  unto  the  children  of  men,  until  after  that  he  should 
be  lifted  up  upon  the  cross; 

95  And  for  this  cause  did  King  Benjamin  [Mosiah?]  keep 
them,  that  they  should  not  come  unto  the  world  until  after 
Christ  should  shew  himself  unto  his  people. 

96  And  after  Christ  truly  had  shewed  himself  unto  his 
people,  he  commanded  that  they  should  be  made  manifest. 

97  And  now,  after  that,  they  have  all  dwindled  in  unbelief, 
and  there  is  none,  save  it  be  the  Lamanites,  and  they  have 
rejected  the  gospel  of  Christ;  therefore  I  am  commanded  that 
I  should  hide  them  up  again  in  the  earth. 

98  Behold,  I  have  written  upon  these  plates  the  very  things 
which  the  brother  of  Jared  saw;  and  there  never  was  greater 
things  made  manifest,  than  that  which  was  made  manifest 
unto  the  brother  of  Jared;  wherefore,  the  Lord  hath  com- 
manded me  to  write  them;  and  I  have  written  them. 


724  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  [chap.  1. 

99  And  he  commanded  me  that  I  should  seal  them  up;  and 
he  also  hath  commanded  that  I  should  seal  up  the  interpreta- 
tion thereof;  wherefore  I  have  sealed  up  the  interpreters,  ac- 
cording to  the  commandment  of  the  Lord. 

100  For  the  Lord  said  unto  me,  They  shall  not  go  forth 
unto  the  Gentiles  until  the  day  that  they  shall  repent  of  their 
iniquity,  and  become  clean  before  the  Lord; 

101  And  in  that  day  that  they  shall  exercise  faith  in  me, 
saith  the  Lord,  even  as  the  brother  of  Jared  did,  that  they 
may  become  sanctified  in  me,  then  will  I  manifest  unto  them 
the  things  which  the  brother  of  Jared  saw,  even  to  the  un- 
folding unto  them  all  my  revelations,  saith  Jesus  Christ,  the 
Son  of  God,  the  Father  of  the  heavens  and  of  the  earth,  and 
all  things  that  in  them  are. 

102  And  he  that  will  contend  against  the  word  of  the 
Lord,  let  him  be  accursed;  and  he  that  shall  deny  these 
things,  let  him  be  accursed;  for  unto  them  will  I  shew  no 
greater  things,  saith  Jesus  Christ,  for  I  am  he  who  speaketh; 

103  And  at  my  command  the  heavens  are  opened  and  are 
shut;  and  at  my  word,  the  earth  shall  shake;  and  at  my  com- 
mand the  inhabitants  thereof  shall  pass  away,  even  so  as  by 
fire; 

104  And  he  that  believeth  not  my  words,  believeth  not  my 
disciples;  and  if  it  so  be  that  I  do  not  speak,  judge  ye;  for 
ye  shall  know  that  it  is  I  that  speaketh,  at  the  last  day. 

105  But  he  that  believeth  these  things  which  I  have  spoken, 
him  will  I  visit  with  the  manifestations  of  my  Spirit;  and  he 
shall  know  and  bear  record. 

106  For  because  of  my  Spirit,  he  shall  know  that  these 
things  are  true;  for  it  persuadeth  men  to  do  good;  and  what- 
soever thing  persuadeth  men  to  do  good,  is  of  me;  for  good 
cometh  of  none,  save  it  be  of  me. 

107  I  am  the  same  that  leadeth  men  to  all  good;  he  that 
will  not  believe  my  words,  will  not  believe  me,  that  I  am;  and 
he  that  will  not  believe  me,  will  not  believe  the  Father  who 
sent  me. 

108  For  behold,  I  am  the  Father,  I  am  the  light,  and  the 
life,  and  the  truth  of  the  world. 


CHAP.  2.]  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  725 

109  Come  unto  me,  0  ye  Gentiles,  and  I  will  shew  unto  you 
the  greater  things,  the  knowledge  which  is  hid  up  because  of 
unbelief. 

110  Come  unto  me,  0  ye  house  of  Israel,  and  it  shall  be 
made  manifest  unto  you  how  great  things  the  Father  hath 
laid  up  for  you,  from  the  foundation  of  the  world;  and  it 
hath  not  come  unto  you,  because  of  unbelief. 

111  Behold,  when  ye  shall  rend  that  vail  of  unbelief  which 
doth  cause  you  to  remain  in  your  awful  state  of  wickedness 
and  hardness  of  heart,  and  blindness  of  mind,  then  shall  the 
great  and  marvelous  things  which  have  been  hid  up  from  the 
foundation  of  the  world  from  you; 

112  Yea,  when  ye  shall  call  upon  the  Father  in  my  name, 
with  a  broken  heart  and  a  contrite  spirit,  then  shall  ye  know 
that  the  Father  hath  remembered  the  covenant  which  he 
made  unto  your  fathers,  O  house  of  Israel; 

113  And  then  shall  my  revelations  which  I  have  caused  to 
be  written  by  my  servant  John,  be  unfolded  in  the  eyes  of  all 
the  people. 

114  Remember,  when  ye  see  these  things,  ye  shall  know 
that  the  time  is  at  hand  that  they  shall  be  made  manifest  in 
very  deed;  therefore,  when  ye  shall  receive  this  record,  ye 
may  know  that  the  work  of  the  Father  has  commenced  upon 
all  the  face  of  the  land. 

115  Therefore,  repent  all  ye  ends  of  the  earth,  and  come 
unto  me,  and  believe  in  my  gospel,  and  be  baptized  in  my 
name;  for  he  that  believeth,  and  is  baptized,  shall  be  saved; 
but  he  that  believeth  not,  shall  be  damned;  and  signs  shall 
follow  them  that  believe  in  my  name. 

116  And  blessed  is  he  that  is  found  faithful  unto  my  name, 
at  the  last  day,  for  he  shall  be  lifted  up  to  dwell  in  the  king- 
dom prepared  for  him  from  the  foundation  of  the  world. 

117  And  behold,  it  is  I  that  hath  spoken  it.    Amen. 


CHAPTER  2. 
1  ^And  now  I,  Moroni,  have  written  the  words  which  were 
commanded  me,  according  to  my  memory;   and  I  have  told 
you  the  things  which  I  have  sealed  up;  therefore  touch  them 


726  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  [chap.  3. 

not,  in  order  that  ye  may  translate;  for  that  thing  is  forbid- 
den you,  except  by  and  by  it  shall  be  wisdom  in  God. 

2  And  behold,  ye  may  be  privileged  that  ye  may  shew  the 
plates  unto  those  who  shall  assist  to  bring  forth  this  work; 
and  unto  three  shall  they  be  shewn  by  the  power  of  God: 
wherefore  they  shall  know  of  a  surety  that  these  things  are 
true. 

3  And  in  the  mouth  of  three  witnesses  shall  these  things 
be  established;  and  the  testimony  of  three,  and  this  work,  in 
the  which  shall  be  shewn  forth  the  power  of  God,  and  also 
his  word,  of  which  the  Father,  and  the  Son,  and  the  Holy 
Ghost  beareth  record;  and  all  this  shall  stand  as  a  testimony 
against  the  world,  at  the  last  day. 

4  And  if  it  so  be  that  they  repent  and  come  unto  the  Father 
in  the  name  of  Jesus,  they  shall  be  received  into  the  kingdom 
of  God. 

5  And  now,  if  I  have  no  authority  for  these  things,  judge 
ye,  for  ye  shall  know  that  I  have  authority  when  ye  shall  see 
me,  and  we  shall  stand  before  God  at  the  last  day.    Amen. 


CHAPTER  3. 

1  ^And  now  I,  Moroni,  proceed  to  give  the  record  of  Jared 
and  his  brother. 

2  For  it  came  to  pass  after  the  Lord  had  prepared  the 
stones  which  the  brother  of  Jared  had  carried  up  into  the 
mount,  the  brother  of  Jared  came  down  out  of  the  mount,  and 
he  did  put  forth  the  stones  into  the  vessels  which  were  pre- 
pared, one  in  each  end  thereof;  and  behold,  they  did  give 
light  unto  the  vessels  thereof. 

3  And  thus  the  Lord  caused  stones  to  shine  in  darkness, 
to  give  light  unto  men,  women  and  children,  that  they  might 
not  cross  the  great  waters  in  darkness. 

4  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  when  they  had  prepared  all 
manner  of  food,  that  thereby  they  might  subsist  upon  the 
water,  and  also  food  for  their  flocks  and  herds,  and  whatso- 
ever beast,  or  animal,  or  fowl  that  they  should  carry  with 
them. 


CHAP.  3.]  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  727 

5  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  they  had  done  all  these 
things,  they  got  aboard  of  their  vessels  or  barges,  and  set 
forth  into  the  sea,  commending  thejnselves  unto  the  Lord  their 
God. 

6  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  God  caused  that  there 
should  a  furious  wind  blow  upon  the  face  of  the  waters,  to- 
wards the  promised  land :  and  thus  they  were  tossed  upon  the 
waves  of  the  sea  before  the  wind. 

7  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  were  many  times  buried 
in  the  depths  of  the  sea,  because  of  the  mountain  waves  which 
broke  upon  them,  and  also  the  great  and  terrible  tempests 
which  were  caused  by  the  fierceness  of  the  wind. 

8  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  they  were  buried  in  the 
deep,  there  was  no  water  that  could  hurt  them,  their  vessels 
being  tight  like  unto  a  dish,  and  also  they  were  tight  like  unto 
the  ark  of  Noah; 

9  Therefore  when  they  were  encompassed  about  by  many 
waters,  they  did  cry  unto  the  Lord,  and  he  did  bring  them 
forth  again  upon  the  top  of  the  waters. 

10  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  wind  did  never  cease  to 
blow  towards  the  promised  land,  while  they  were  upon  the 
waters:  and  thus  they  were  driven  forth  before  the  wind; 

11  And  they  did  sing  praises  unto  the  Lord;  yea,  the 
brother  of  Jared  did  sing  praises  unto  the  Lord,  and  he  did 
thank  and  praise  the  Lord  all  the  day  long;  and  when  the 
night  came,  they  did  not  cease  to  praise  the  Lord. 

12  And  thus  they  were  driven  forth;  and  no  monster  of 
the  sea  could  break  them,  neither  whale  that  could  mar  them; 
and  they  did  have  light  continually,  whether  it  was  above  the 
water  or  under  the  water. 

13  And  thus  they  were  driven  forth,  three  hundred  and 
forty  and  four  days  upon  the  water;  and  they  did  land  upon 
the  shore  of  the  promised  land. 

14  And  when  they  had  set  their  feet  upon  the  shores  of 
the  promised  land,  they  bowed  themselves  down  upon  the  face 
of  the  land,  and  did  humble  themselves  before  the  Lord,  and 
did  shed  tears  of  joy  before  the  Lord,  because  of  the  multi- 
tude of  his  tender  mercies  over  them. 


728  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  [chap.  3. 

15  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  went  forth  upon  the  face 
of  the  land,  and  began  to  till  the  earth. 

16  And  Jared  had  four  sons;  and  they  were  called  Jacom, 
and  Gilgah,  and  Mahah,  and  Orihah. 

17  And  the  brother  of  Jared  also  begat  sons  and  daughters. 

18  And  the  friends  of  Jared  and  his  brother,  were  in  num- 
ber about  twenty  and  two  souls;  and  they  also  begat  sons 
and  daughters,  before  they  came  to  the  promised  land;  and 
therefore  they  began  to  be  many. 

19  And  they  were  taught  to  walk  humbly  before  the  Lord; 
and  they  were  also  taught  from  on  high. 

20  Tl  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  began  to  spread  upon  the 
face  of  the  land,  and  to  multiply  and  to  till  the  earth;  and 
they  did  wax  strong  in  the  land. 

21  And  the  brother  of  Jared  began  to  be  old,  and  saw  that 
he  must  soon  go  down  to  the  grave;  wherefore  he  said  unto 
Jared,  Let  us  gather  together  our  people  that  we  may  num- 
ber them,  that  we  may  know  of  them  what  they  will  desire 
of  us  before  we  go  down  to  our  graves. 

22  And  accordingly  the  people  were  gathered  together. 

23  Now  the  number  of  the  sons  and  the  daughters  of  the 
brother  of  Jared  were  twenty  and  two  souls;  and  the  number 
of  the  sons  and  daughters  of  Jared  were  twelve,  he  having 
four  sons. 

24  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  number  their  people;, 
and  after  that  they  had  numbered  them,  they  did  desire  of 
them  the  things  which  they  would  that  they  should  do  before 
they  went  down  to  their  graves. 

25  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  people  desired  of  them  that 
they  should  anoint  one  of  their  sons  to  be  a  king  over  them. 

26  And  now  behold,  this  was  grievous  unto  them. 

■'27  But  the  brother  of  Jared  said  unto  them,  Surely,  this 
thing  leadeth  into  captivity. 

28  But  Jared  said  unto  his  brother,  Suifer  them  that  they 
may  have  a  king;  and  therefore  he  said  unto  them,  Choose 
ye  out  from  among  our  sons  a  king,  even  whom  ye  will. 

29  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  chose  even  the  first-born 
of  the  brother  of  Jared;  and  his  name  Was  Pagag. 


CHAP.  3.]  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  729 

30  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  refused  and  would  not  be 
their  king. 

31  And  the  people  would  that  his  father  should  constrain 
him;  but  his  father  would  not;  and  he  commanded  them  that 
they  should  constrain  no  man  to  be  their  king. 

32  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  chose  all  the  brothers  of 
Pagag,  and  they  would  not. 

33  And  it  came  to  pass  that  neither  would  the  sons  of 
Jared,  even  all,  save  it  were  one;  and  Orihah  was  anointed 
to  be  king  over  the  people. 

34  And  he  began  to  reign,  and  the  people  began  to  pros- 
per; and  they  became  exceeding  rich. 

35  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Jared  died,  and  his  brother 
also. 

36  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Orihah  did  walk  humbly  be- 
fore the  Lord,  and  did  remember  how  great  things  the  Lord 
had  done  for  his  father,  and  also  taught  his  people  how  great 
things  the  Lord  had  done  for  their  fathers. 

37  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Orihah  did  execute  judgment 
upon  the  land  in  righteousness  all  his  days,  whose  days  were 
exceeding  many. 

38  And  he  begat  sons  and  daughters ;  yea,  he  begat  thirty 
and  one,  among  whom  were  twenty  and  three  sons. 

39  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  also  begat  Kib  in  his  old 
age. 

40  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Kib  reigned  in  his  stead;  and 
Kib  begat  Corihor. 

41  And  when  Corihor  was  thirty  and  two  years  old,  he  re- 
belled against  his  father,  and  went  over  and  dwelt  in  the  land 
of  Nehor;  and  he  begat  sons  and  daughters;  and  they  became 
exceeding  fair;  wherefore  Corihor  drew  away  many  people 
after  him. 

42  And  when  he  had  gathered  together  an  army,  he  came 
up  unto  the  land  of  Moron  where  the  king  dwelt,  and  took 
him  captive,  which  brought  to  pass  the  saying  of  the  brother 
of  Jared,  that  they  would  be  brought  into  captivity. 

43  Now  the  land  of  Moron  where  the  king  dwelt,  was  near 
the  land  which  is  called  Desolation  by  the  Nephites. 


730  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  [chap.  3. 

44  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Kib  dwelt  in  captivity,  and 
his  people  under  Corihor  his  son,  until  he  became  exceeding 
old;  nevertheless  Kib  begat  Shule  in  his  old  age,  while  he 
was  yet  in  captivity. 

45  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  Shule  was  angry  with  his 
brother;  and  Shule  waxed  strong,  and  became  mighty,  as  to 
the  strength  of  a  man;  and  he  was  also  mighty  in  judgment. 

46  Wherefore  he  came  to  the  hill  Ephraim,  and  he  did 
moulten  out  of  the  hill,  and  made  swords  out  of  steel  for 
those  whom  he  had  drawn  away  with  him;  and  after  he  had 
armed  them  with  swords,  he  returned  to  the  city  Nehor  and 
gave  battle  unto  his  brother  Corihor,  by  which  means  he  ob- 
tained the  kingdom,  and  restored  it  unto  his  father  Kib. 

47  And  now  because  of  the  thing  which  Shule  had  done, 
his  father  bestowed  upon  him  the  kingdom;  therefore  he  be- 
gan to  reign  in  the  stead  of  his  father. 

48  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  did  execute  judgment  in 
righteousness;  and  he  did  spread  his  kingdom  upon  all  the 
face  of  the  land,  for  the  people  had  become  exceeding  numer- 
ous. 

49  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Shule  also  begat  many  sons 
and  daughters. 

50  And  Corihor  repented  of  the  many  evils  which  he  had 
done;    wherefore  Shule  gave  him  power  in  his  kingdom. 

51  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Corihor  had  many  sons  and 
daughters. 

52  And  among  the  sons  of  Corihor  there  was  one  whose 
name  was  Noah. 

53  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Noah  rebelled  against  Shule, 
the  king,  and  also  his  father  Corihor,  and  drew  away  Cohor 
his  brother,  and  also  all  his  brethren  and  many  of  the  people. 

54  And  he  gave  battle  unto  Shule,  the  king,  in  which  he 
did  obtain  the  land  of  their  first  inheritance;  and  he  became 
a  king  over  that  part  of  the  land. 

55  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  gave  battle  again  unto 
Shule  the  king;  and  he  took  Shule  the  king,  and  carried  him 
away  captive  into  Moron. 

56  And  it  came  to  pass  as  he  was  about  to  put  him  to 


CHAP.  3.]  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  731 

death,  the  sons  of  Shule  crept  into  the  house  of  Noah  by 
night  and  slew  him,  and  broke  down  the  door  of  the  prison 
and  brought  out  their  father,  and  placed  him  upon  his  throne 
in  his  own  kingdom;  wherefore  the  son  of  Noah  did  build  up 
his  kingdom  in  his  stead; 

57  Nevertheless  they  did  not  gain  power  any  more  over 
Shule  the  king;  and  the  people  who  were  under  the  reign  of 
Shule  the  king,  did  prosper  exceedingly  and  wax  great. 

58  And  the  country  was  divided;  and  there  were  two  king- 
doms, the  kingdom  of  Shule  and  the  kingdom  of  Cohor,  the 
son  of  Noah. 

59  And  Cohor,  the  son  of  Noah,  caused  that  his  people 
should  give  battle  unto  Shule,  in  which  Shule  did  beat  them, 
and  did  slay  Cohor. 

60  And  now  Cohor  had  a  son  who  was  called  Nimrod;  and 
Nimrod  gave  up  the  kingdom  of  Cohor  unto  Shule,  and  he 
did  gain  favor  in  the  eyes  of  Shule:  wherefore  Shule  did  be- 
stow great  favors  upon  him,  and  he  did  do  in  the  kingdom  of 
Shule  according  to  his  desires; 

61  And  also  in  the  reign  of  Shule  there  came  prophets 
among  the  people,  who  were  sent  from  the  Lord,  prophesying 
that  the  wickedness  and  idolatry  of  the  people  was  bringing 
a  curse  upon  the  land,  and  they  should  be  destroyed,  if  they 
did  not  repent. 

62  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  the  people  did  revile  against 
the  prophets,  and  did  mock  them. 

63  And  it  came  to  pass  that  King  Shule  did  execute  judg- 
ment against  all  those  who  did  revile  against  the  prophets; 
and  he  did  execute  a  law  throughout  all  the  land,  which  gave 
power  unto  the  prophets  that  they  should  go  whithersoever 
they  would;  and  by  this  cause  the  people  were  brought  unto 
repentance. 

64  And  because  the  people  did  repent  of  their  iniquities 
and  idolatries,  the  Lord  did  spare  them,  and  they  began  to 
prosper  again  in  the  land. 

65  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Shule  begat  sons  and  daugh- 
ters in  his  old  age. 

66  And  there  were  no  more  wars  in  the  days  of  Shule;  and 


732  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  [chap.  3. 

he  remembered  the  great  things  that  the  Lord  had  done  for 
his  fathers  in  bringing  them  across  the  great  deep  into  the 
promised  land;  wherefore  he  did  execute  judgment  in  right- 
eousness all  his  days. 

67  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  begat  Omer,  and  Omer 
reigned  in  his  stead. 

68  And  Omer  begat  Jared;  and  Jared  begat  sons  and 
daughters. 

69  And  Jared  rebelled  against  his  father,  and  came  and 
dwelt  in  the  land  of  Heth. 

70  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  did  flatter  many  people, 
because  of  his  cunning  words,  until  he  had  gained  the  half  of 
the  kingdom. 

71  And  when  he  had  gained  the  half  of  the  kingdom,  he 
gave  battle  unto  his  father,  and  he  did  carry  away  his  father 
into  captivity,  and  did  make  him  serve  in  captivity. 

72  And  now  in  the  days  of  the  reign  of  Omer,  he  was  in 
captivity  the  half  of  his  days. 

73  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  begat  sons  and  daughters, 
among  whom  were  Esrom  and  Coriantumr;  and  they  were 
exceeding  angry  because  of  the  doings  of  Jared  their  brother, 
insomuch  that  they  did  raise  an  army,  and  gave  battle  unto 
Jared. 

74  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  give  battle  unto  him 
by  night. 

75  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  they  had  slain  the  army 
of  Jared,  they  were  about  to  slay  him  also ;  and  he  plead  with 
them  that  they  would  not  slay  him,  and  he  would  give  up  the 
kingdom  unto  his  father. 

76  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  grant  unto  him  his 
life. 

77  And  now  Jared  became  exceeding  sorrowful  because  of 
the  loss  of  the  kingdom,  for  he  had  set  his  heart  upon  the 
kingdom,  and  upon  the  glory  of  the  world. 

78  Now  the  daughter  of  Jared  being  exceeding  expert,  and 
seeing  the  sorrow  of  her  father,  thought  to  devise  a  plan 
whereby  she  could  redeem  the  kingdom  unto  her  father. 

79  Now  the  daughter  of  Jared  was  exceeding  fair.     And 


CHAP.  3.]  BOOK    OP^    ETHER.  733 

it  came  to  pass  that  she  did  talk  with  her  father,  and  said 
unto  him,  Whereby  hath  my  father  so  much  sorrow? 

80  Hath  he  not  read  the  record  which  our  fathers  brought 
across  the  great  deep? 

81  Behold,  is  there  not  an  account  concerning  them  of  old, 
that  they  by  their  secret  plans  did  obtain  kingdoms  and  great 
glory? 

82  And  now  therefore,  let  my  father  send  for  Akish,  the 
son  of  Kimnor;  and  behold,  I  am  fair,  and  I  will  dance  before 
him,  and  I  will  please  him,  that  he  will  desire  me  to  wife; 
wherefore  if  he  shall  desire  of  thee  that  ye  shall  give  unto 
him  me  to  wife,  then  shall  ye  say,  I  will  give  her  if  ye  will 
bring  unto  me  the  head  of  my  father,  the  king. 

83  And  now  Omer  was  a  friend  to  Akish,  wherefore  when 
Jared  had  sent  for  Akish,  the  daughter  of  Jared  danced  be- 
fore him,  that  she  pleased  him,  insomuch  that  he  desired  her 
to  wife. 

84  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  said  unto  Jared,  Give  her 
unto  me  to  wife. 

85  And  Jared  said  unto  him,  I  will  give  her  unto  you,  if 
ye  will  bring  unto  me  the  head  of  my  father,  the  king. 

86  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Akish  gathered  in  unto  the 
house  of  Jared  all  his  kinsfolks,  and  said  unto  them,  Will  ye 
swear  unto  me  that  ye  will  be  faithful  unto  me  in  the  thing 
which  I  shall  desire  of  you. 

87  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  all  swear  unto  him  by 
the  God  of  heaven,  and  also  by  the  heavens,  and  also  by  the 
earth,  and  by  their  heads,  that  whoso  should  vary  from  the 
assistance  which  Akish  desired,  should  lose  his  head; 

88  And  whoso  should  divulge  whatsoever  thing  Akish  made 
known  unto  them,  the  same  should  lose  his  life.  And  it  came 
to  pass  that  thus  they  did  agree  with  Akish. 

89  And  Akish  did  administer  unto  them  the  oaths  which 
were  given  by  them  of  old,  who  also  sought  power,  which  had 
been  handed  down  even  from  Cain,  who  was  a  murderer  from 
the  beginning. 

■  90  And  they  were  kept  up  by  the  power  of  the  devil  to 
administer  these  oaths  unto  the  people,  to  keep  them  in  dark- 


734  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  [chaf.  3. 

ness,  to  help  such  as  sought  power,  to  gain  power,  and  to 
murder,  and  to  plunder,  and  to  lie,  and  to  commit  all  manner 
of  wickedness  and  whoredoms. 

91  And  it  was  the  daughter  of  Jared  who  put  it  into  his 
heart  to  search  up  these  things  of  old;  and  Jared  put  it  into 
the  heart  of  Akish ;  wherefore  Akish  administered  it  unto  his 
kindreds  and  friends,  leading  them  away  by  fair  promises  to 
do  whatsoever  thing  he  desired. 

92  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  formed  a  secret  combina- 
tion, even  as  they  of  old;  which  combination  is  most  abom- 
inable and  wicked  above  all,  in  the  sight  of  God; 

93  For  the  Lord  worketh  not  in  secret  combinations,  neither 
doth  he  will  that  man  should  shed  blood,  but  in  all  things 
hath  forbidden  it,  from  the  beginning  of  man. 

94  And  now  I,  Moroni,  do  not  write  the  manner  of  their 
oaths  and  combinations,  for  it  hath  been  made  known  unto  me 
that  they  are  had  among  all  people,  and  they  are  had  among 
the  Lamanites,  and  they  have  caused  the  destruction  of  this 
people  of  whom  I  am  now  speaking,  and  also  the  destruction 
of  the  people  of  Nephi; 

95  And  whatsoever  nation  shall  uphold  such  secret  com- 
binations, to  get  power  and  gain,  until  they  shall  spread  over 
the  nation,  behold,  they  shall  be  destroyed,  for  the  Lord  will 
not  suffer  that  the  blood  of  his  saints,  which  shall  be  shed  by 
them,  shall  always  cry  unto  him  from  the  ground  for  venge- 
ance upon  them,  and  yet  he  avenge  them  not; 

96  Wherefore,  O  ye  Gentiles,  it  is  wisdom  in  God  that  these 
things  should  be  shewn  unto  you,  that  thereby  ye  may  repent 
of  your  sins,  and  suffer  not  that  these  murderous  combina- 
tions shall  get  above  you,  which  are  built  up  to  get  power 
and  gain,  and  the  work,  yea,  even  the  work  of  destruction 
come  upon  you; 

97  Yea,  even  the  sword  of  the  justice  of  the  eternal  God, 
shall  fall  upon  you,  to  your  overthrow  and  destruction,  if  ye 
shall  suffer  these  things  to  be; 

98  Wherefore  the  Lord  commandeth  you,  when  ye  shall  see 
these  things  come  among  you,  that  ye  shall  awake  to  a  sense 
of  your  awful  situation,  because  of  this  secret  combination 


CHAP.  4.]  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  735 

which  shall  be  among  you,  or  wo  be  unto  it,  because  of  the 
blood  of  them  who  have  been  slain;  for  they  cry  from  the 
dust  for  vengeance  upon  it,  and  also  upon  those  who  build 
it  up. 

99  For  it  cometh  to  pass  that  whoso  buildeth  it  up,  seeketh 
to  overthrow  the  freedom  of  all  lands,  nations  and  countries: 

100  And  it  bringeth  to  pass  the  destruction  of  all  people, 
for  it  is  built  up  by  the  devil,  who  is  the  father  of  all  lies; 
even  that  same  liar  who  beguiled  our  first  parents; 

101  Yea,  even  that  same  liar  who  hath  caused  man  to  com- 
mit murder  from  the  beginning;  who  hath  hardened  the 
hearts  of  men,  that  they  have  murdered  the  prophets,  and 
stoned  them,  and  cast  them  out  from  the  beginning. 

102  Wherefore  I,  Moroni,  am  commanded  to  write  these 
things,  that  evil  may  be  done  away,  and  that  the  time  may 
come  that  Satan  may  have  no  power  upon  the  hearts  of  the 
children  of  men,  but  that  they  may  be  persuaded  to  do  good 
continually,  that  they  may  come  unto  the  fountain  of  all 
righteousness  and  be  saved. 


CHAPTER  4. 

1  ^And  now  I,  Moroni,  proceed  with  my  record. 

2  Therefore  behold,  it  came  to  pass  that  because  of  the 
secret  combinations  of  Akish  and  his  friends,  behold  they  did 
overthrow  the  kingdom  of  Omer;  nevertheless  the  Lord  was 
merciful  unto  Omer,  and  also  to  his  sons  and  to  his  daughters, 
who  did  not  seek  his  destruction. 

3  And  the  Lord  warned  Omer  in  a  dream  that  he  should 
depart  out  of  the  land;  wherefore  Omer  departed  out  of  the 
land  with  his  family,  and  traveled  many  days,  and  came  over 
and  passed  by  the  hill  of  Shim, 

4  And  came  over  by  the  place  where  the  Nephites  were 
destroyed,  and  from  thence  eastward,  and  came  to  a  place 
which  was  called  Ablom,  by  the  sea-shore,  and  there  he 
pitched  his  tent,  and  also  his  sons  and  his  daughters,  and  all 
nis  household,  save  it  were  Jared  and  his  family. 

5  TIAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  Jared  was  anointed  king  over 


736  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  [chap.  4. 

the  people,  by  the  hand  of  wickedness;   and  he  gave  unto 
Akish  his  daughter  to  wife. 

6  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Akish  sought  the  life  of  his 
father-in-law;  and  he  applied  unto  those  whom  he  had  sworn 
by  the  oath  of  the  ancients,  and  they  obtained  the  head  of 
his  father-in-law,  as  he  sat  upon  his  throne,  giving  audience 
to  his  people; 

7  For  so  great  had  been  the  spreading  of  this  wicked  and 
secret  society,  that  it  had  corrupted  the  hearts  of  all  the  peo- 
ple; therefore  Jared  was  murdered  upon  his  throne,  and 
Akish  reigned  in  his  stead. 

8  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Akish  began  to  be  jealous  of  his 
son,  therefore  he  shut  him  up  in  prison,  and  kept  him  upon 
little  or  no  food,  until  he  had  suffered  death. 

9  And  now  the  brother  of  him  that  suffered  death,  (and 
his  name  was  Nimrah,)  was  angry  with  his  father,  because 
of  that  which  his  father  had  done  unto  his  brother. 

10  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Nimrah  gathered  together  a 
small  number  of  men,  and  fled  out  of  the  land,  and  came  over 
and  dwelt  with  Omer. 

11  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Akish  begat  other  sons,  and 
they  won  the  hearts  of  the  people,  notwithstanding  they  had 
sworn  unto  him  to  do  all  manner  of  iniquity,  according  to 
that  which  he  desired. 

12  Now  the  people  of  Akish  were  desirous  for  gain,  even 
as  Akish  was  desirous  for  power;  wherefore  the  sons  of  Akish 
did  offer  them  money,  by  which  means  they  drew  away  the 
more  part  of  the  people  after  them; 

13  And  there  began  to  be  a  war  between  the  sons  of  Akish 
and  Akish,  which  lasted  foi?  the  space  of  many  years;  yea, 
unto  the  destruction  of  nearly  all  the  people  of  the  kingdom; 

14  Yea,  even  all,  save  it  were  thirty  souls,  and  they  who 
fled  with  the  house  of  Omer;  wherefore  Omer  was  restored 
again  to  the  land  of  his  inheritance. 

15  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Omer  began  to  be  old,  never- 
theless, in  his  old  age  he  begat  Emer;  and  he  anointed  Emer 
to  be  king  to  reign  in  his  stead. 

16  And  after  that  he  had  anointed  Emer  to  be  king,  he 


CHAP.  4.]  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  737 

saw  peace  in  the  land  for  the  space  of  two  years,  and  he  died, 
having  seen  exceeding  many  days,  which  were  full  of  sorrow. 

17  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Emer  did  reign  in  his  stead, 
and  did  fill  the  steps  of  his  father. 

18  And  the  Lord  began  again  to  take  the  curse  from  off 
the  land,  and  the  house  of  Emer  did  prosper  exceedingly 
under  the  reign  of  Emer; 

19  And  in  the  space  of  sixty  and  two  years,  they  had  be- 
come exceeding  strong,  insomuch  that  they  became  exceeding 
rich,  having  all  manner  of  fruit,  and  of  grain,  and  of  silks, 
and  of  fine  linen,  and  of  gold,  and  of  silver,  and  of  precious 
things, 

20  And  also  all  manner  of  cattle,  of  oxen,  and  cows,  and  of 
sheep,  and  of  swine,  and  of  goats,  and  also  many  other  kind 
of  animals  which  were  useful  for  the  food  of  man; 

21  And  they  also  had  horses,  and  asses,  and  there  were  ele- 
phants, and  cureloms,  and  cumoms:  all  of  which  were  useful 
unto  man,  and  more  especially  the  elephants,  and  cureloms, 
and  cumoms. 

22  And  thus  the  Lord  did  pour  out  his  blessings  upon  this 
land,  which  was  choice  above  all  other  lands;  and  he  com- 
manded that  whoso  should  possess  the  land,  should  possess 
it  unto  the  Lord,  or  they  should  be  destroyed  when  they  were 
ripened  in  iniquity;  for  upon  such,  saith  the  Lord,  I  will  pour 
out  the  fullness  of  my  wrath. 

23  And  Emer  did  execute  judgment  in  righteousness,  all 
his  days,  and  he  begat  many  sons  and  daughters;  and  he  be- 
gat Coriantum,  and  he  anointed  Coriantum  to  reign  in  his 
stead. 

24  And  after  he  had  anointed  Coriantum  to  reign  in  his 
stead,  he  lived  four  years,  and  he  saw  peace  in  the  land;  yea, 
and  he  even  saw  the  Son  of  righteousness,  and  did  rejoice  and 
glory  in  his  day;  and  he  died  in  peace. 

25  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Coriantum  did  walk  in  the 
steps  of  his  father,  and  did  build  many  mighty  cities,  and 
did  administer  that  which  was  good  unto  his  people,  in  all  his 
days. 


738  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  [chap.  4. 

26  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  had  no  children,  even  until 
he  was  exceeding  old. 

27  And  it  came  to  pass  that  his  wife  died,  being  an  hun- 
dred and  two  years  old. 

28  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Coriantum  took  to  wife,  in  his 
old  age,  a  young  maid,  and  begat  sons  and  daughters;  where- 
fore he  lived  until  he  was  an  hundred  and  forty  and  two 
years  old. 

29  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  begat  Com,  and  Com 
reigned  in  his  stead;  and  he  reigned  forty  and  nine  years, 
and  he  begat  Heth;  and  he  also  begat  other  sons  and  daugh- 
ters. 

30  And  the  people  had  spread  again  over  all  the  face  of 
the  land,  and  there  began  again  to  be  an  exceeding  great 
wickedness  upon  the  face  of  the  land,  and  Heth  began  to 
embrace  the  secret  plans  again  of  old,  to  destroy  his  father. 

31  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  did  dethrone  his  father: 
for  he  slew  him  with  his  own  sword:  and  he  did  reign  in  his 
stead. 

32  And  there  came  prophets  in  the  land  again,  crying  re- 
pentance unto  them;  that  they  must  prepare  the  way  of  the 
Lord,  or  there  should  come  a  curse  upon  the  face  of  the  land; 
yea,  even  there  should  be  a  great  famine,  in  which  they 
should  be  destroyed,  if  they  did  not  repent. 

33  But  the  people  believed  not  the  words  of  the  prophets, 
but  they  cast  them  out;  and  some  of  them  they  cast  into 
pits,  and  left  them  to  perish. 

34  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  done  all  these  things  ac- 
cording to  the  commandment  of  the  King  Heth. 

35  And  it  came  to  pass  that  there  began  to  be  a  great 
dearth  upon  the  land,  and  the  inhabitants  began  to  be  de- 
stroyed exceeding  fast,  because  of  the  dearth,  for  there  was 
no  rain  upon  the  face  of  the  earth;  and  there  came  forth 
poisonous  serpents  also  upon  the  face  of  the  land,  and  did 
poison  many  people. 

36  And  it  came  to  pass  that  their  flocks  began  to  flee  be- 
fore the  poisonous  serpents,  towards  the  land  southward, 
which  was  called  by  the  Nephites,  Zarahemla. 


CHAP.  4.]  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  739. 

37  And  it  came  to  pass  that  there  were  many  of  them 
which  did  perish  by  the  way:  nevertheless  there  were  some 
which  fled  into  the  land  southward. 

38  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  did  cause  the  ser- 
pents that  they  should  pursue  them  no  more,  but  that  they 
should  hedge  up  the  way,  that  the  people  could  not  pass;  that 
whoso  should  attempt  to  pass,  might  fall  by  the  poisonous 
serpents. 

39  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  people  did  follow  the 
course  of  the  beasts,  and  did  devour  the  carcasses  of  them 
which  fell  by  the  way,  until  they  had  devoured  them  all. 

40  Now  when  the  people  saw  that  they  must  perish,  they 
began  to  repent  of  their  iniquities,  and  cry  unto  the  Lord. 

41  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  they  had  humbled  them- 
selves sufficiently  before  the  Lord,  he  did  send  rain  upon  the 
face  of  the  earth,  and  the  people  began  to  revive  again,  and 
there  began  to  be  fruit  in  the  north  countries,  and  in  all  the 
countries  round  about. 

42  And  the  Lord  did  shew  forth  his  power  unto  them  in 
preserving  them  from  famine. 

43  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Shez,  who  was  a  descendant 
of  Heth,  for  Heth  had  perished  by  the  famine,  and  all  his 
household,  save  it  were  Shez;  wherefore  Shez  began  to  build 
up  again  a  broken  people. 

44  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Shez  did  remember  the  de- 
struction of  his  fathers,  and  he  did  build  up  a  righteous 
kingdom,  for  he  remembered  what  the  Lord  had  done  in 
bringing  Jared  and  his  brother  across  the  deep;  and  he  did 
walk  in  the  ways  of  the  Lord,  and  he  begat  sons  and  daugh- 
ters. 

45  And  his  eldest  son,  whose  name  was  Shez,  did  rebel 
against  him;  nevertheless,  Shez  was  smitten  by  the  hand  of 
a  robber,  because  of  his  exceeding  riches,  which  brought 
peace  again  unto  his  father. 

46  And  it  came  to  pass  that  his  father  did  build  up  many 
cities  upon  the  face  of  the  land,  and  the  people  began  again 
to  spread  over  all  the  face  of  the  land. 

47  And  Shez  did  live  to  an  exceeding  old  age;  and  he  be- 


740  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  [chap.  4. 

gat  Riplakish,  and  he  died.     And  Riplakish  reigned  in  his 
stead. 

48  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Riplakish  did  not  do  that 
which  was  right  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord,  for  he  did  have 
many  wives  and  concubines,  and  did  lay  that  upon  men's 
shoulders  which  was  grievous  to  be  borne;  yea,  he  did  tax 
them  with  heavy  taxes;  and  with  the  taxes  he  did  build  many 
spacious  buildings. 

49  And  he  did  erect  him  an  exceeding  beautiful  throne; 
and  he  did  build  many  prisons,  and  whoso  would  not  be  sub- 
ject unto  taxes,  he  did  cast  into  prison;  and  whoso  was  not 
able  to  pay  taxes,  he  did  cast  into  prison; 

50  And  he  did  cause  that  they  should  labor  continually  for 
their  support;  and  whoso  refused  to  labor,  he  did  cause  to 
be  put  to  death;  wherefore  he  did  obtain  all  his  fine  work; 
yea,  even  his  fine  gold  he  did  cause  to  be  refined  in  prison, 
and  all  manner  of  fine  workmanship  he  did  cause  to  be 
wrought  in  prison. 

51  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  did  afflict  the  people  with 
his  whoredoms  and  abominations;  and  when  he  had  reigned 
for  the  space  of  forty  and  two  years,  the  people  did  raise  up 
in  rebellion  against  him,  and  there  began  to  be  war  again 
in  the  land,  insomuch  that  Riplakish  was  killed,  and  his  de- 
scendants were  driven  out  of  the  land. 

52  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  after  the  space  of  many  years, 
Morianton,  (he  being  a  descendant  of  Riplakish,)  gathered 
together  an  army  of  outcasts,  and  went  forth  and  gave  bat- 
tle unto  the  people;  and  he  gained  power  over  many  cities; 

53  And  the  war  became  exceeding  sore,  and  did  last  for  the 
space  of  many  years,  and  he  did  gain  power  over  all  the  land, 
and  did  establish  himself  king  over  all  the  land. 

54  And  after  that  he  had  established  himself  king,  he  did 
ease  the  burden  of  the  people,  by  which  he  did  gain  favor  in 
the  eyes  of  the  people,  and  they  did  anoint  him  to  be  their 
king. 

55  And  he  did  do  justice  unto  the  people,  but  not  unto  him- 
self, because  of  his  many  whoredoms;  wherefore  he  was  cut 
off  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord. 


CHAP.  4.]  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  741 

56  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Morianton  built  up  many 
cities,  and  the  people  became  exceeding  rich  under  his  reign, 
both  in  buildings,  and  in  gold,  and  in  silver,  and  in  raising 
grain,  and  in  flocks,  and  herds,  and  such  things  which  had 
been  restored  unto  them. 

57  And  Morianton  did  live  to  an  exceeding  great  age,  and 
then  he  begat  Kim;  and  Kim  did  reign  in  the  stead  of  his 
father;  and  he  did  reign  eight  years,  and  his  father  died. 

58  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Kim  did  not  reign  in  right- 
eousness, wherefore  he  was  not  favored  of  the  Lord. 

59  And  his  brother  did  raise  up  in  rebellion  against  him, 
by  which  he  did  bring  him  into  captivity;  and  he  did  remain 
in  captivity  all  his  days;  and  he  begat  sons  and  daughters  in 
captivity;  and  in  his  old  age  he  begat  Levi,  and  he  died. 

60  iJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  Levi  did  serve  in  captivity 
after  the  death  of  his  father,  for  the  space  of  forty  and  two 
years. 

61  And  he  did  make  war  against  the  king  of  the  land,  by 
which  he  did  obtain  unto  himself  the  kingdom. 

62  And  after  he  had  obtained  unto  himself  the  kingdom,  he 
did  that  which  was  right  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord;  and  the 
people  did  prosper  in  the  land,  and  he  did  live  to  a  good  old 
age,  and  begat  sons  and  daughters;  and  he  also  begat  Corom, 
whom  he  anointed  king  in  his  stead. 

63  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Corom  did  that  which  was 
good  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord,  all  his  days;  and  he  begat 
many  sons  and  daughters;  and  after  he  had  seen  many  days, 
he  did  pass  away,  even  like  unto  the  rest  of  the  earth;  and 
Kish  reigned  in  his  stead. 

64  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Kish  passed  away  also,  and 
Lib  reigned  in  his  stead. 

65  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Lib  also  did  that  which  was 
good  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord. 

66  And  in  the  days  of  Lib  the  poisonous  serpents  were  de- 
stroyed; wherefore  they  did  go  into  the  land  southward,  to 
hunt  food  for  the  people  of  the  land;  for  the  land  was  cov- 
ered with  animals  of  the  forest. 

67  And  Lib  also  himself  became  a  great  hunter. 


742  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  [chap.  4. 

68  And  they  built  a  great  city  by  the  narrow  neck  of  land, 
by  the  place  where  the  sea  divides  the  land. 

69  And  they  did  preserve  the  land  southward  for  a  wilder- 
ness, to  get  game. 

70  And  the  whole  face  of  the  land  northward  was  covered 
with  inhabitants;  and  they  were  exceeding  industrious,  and 
they  did  buy  and  sell,  and  traffic  one  with  another,  that  they 
might  get  gain. 

71  And  they  did  work  in  all  manner  of  ore,  and  they  did 
make  gold,  and  silver,  and  iron,  and  brass,  and  all  manner  of 
metals;  and  they  did  dig  it  out  of  the  earth;  wherefore  they 
did  cast  up  mighty  heaps  of  earth  to  get  ore,  of  gold,  and  of 
silver,  and  of  iron,  and  of  copper. 

72  And  they  did  work  all  manner  of  fine  work. 

73  And  they  did  have  silks,  and  fine  twined  linen ;  and  they 
did  work  all  manner  of  cloth,  that  they  might  clothe  them- 
selves from  their  nakedness. 

74  And  they  did  make  all  manner  of  tools  to  till  the  earth, 
both  to  plow  and  to  sow,  to  reap  and  to  hoe,  and  also  to 
thrash. 

75  And  they  did  make  all  manner  of  tools  with  which  they 
did  work  their  beasts. 

76  And  they  did  make  all  manner  of  weapons  of  war. 

77  And  they  did  work  all  manner  of  work  of  exceeding 
curious  workmanship. 

78  And  never  could  be  a  people  more  blessed  than  were 
they,  and  more  prospered  by  the  hand  of  the  Lord. 

79  And  they  were  in  a  land  that  was  choice  above  all 
lands,  for  the  Lord  had  spoken  it. 

80  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Lib  did  live  many  years,  and 
begat  sons  and  daughters;  and  he  also  begat  Hearthom. 

81  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Hearthom  reigned  in  the  stead 
of  his  father. 

82  And  when  Hearthom  had  reigned  twenty  and  four 
years,  behold  the  kingdom  was  taken  away  from  him. 

83  And  he  served  many  years  in  captivity;  yea,  even  all 
the  remainder  of  his  days. 


CHAP.  4.]  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  743 

84  And  he  begat  Heth,  and  Heth  lived  in  captivity  all  his 
days. 

85  And  Heth  begat  Aaron,  and  Aaron  dwelt  in  captivity 
all  his  days;  and  he  begat  Amnigaddah,  and  Amnigaddah 
also  dwelt  in  captivity  all  his  days;  and  he  begat  Coriantum, 
and  Coriantum  dwelt  in  captivity  all  his  days;  and  he  begat 
Com. 

86  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Com  drew  away  the  half  of 
the  kingdom. 

87  And  he  reigned  over  the  half  of  the  kingdom  forty  and 
two  years :  and  he  went  to  battle  against  the  king  Amgid,  and 
they  fought  for  the  space  of  many  years,  during  which  time 
Com  gained  power  over  Amgid,  and  obtained  power  over  the 
remainder  of  the  kingdom. 

88  And  in  the  days  of  Com  there  began  to  be  robbers  in 
the  land;  and  they  adopted  the  old  plans,  and  administered 
oaths  after  the  manner  of  the  ancients,  and  sought  again  to 
destroy  the  kingdom. 

89  Now  Com  did  fight  against  them  much;  nevertheless  he 
did  not  prevail  against  them. 

90  And  there  came  also  in  the  days  of  Com  many  prophets, 
and  prophesied  of  the  destruction  of  that  great  people,  ex- 
cept they  should  repent  and  turn  unto  the  Lord,  and  forsake 
their  murders  and  wickedness. 

91  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  prophets  were  rejected 
by  the  people,  and  they  fled  unto  Com  for  protection,  for  the 
people  sought  to  destroy  them;  and  they  prophesied  unto 
Com  many  things;  and  he  was  blessed  in  all  the  remainder 
of  his  days. 

92  And  he  lived  to  a  good  old  age,  and  begat  Shiblom;  and 
Shiblom  reigned  in  his  stead. 

93  And  the  brother  of  Shiblom  rebelled  against  him;  and 
there  began  to  be  an  exceeding  great  war  in  all  the  land. 

94  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  brother  of  Shiblom  caused 
that  all  the  prophets  who  prophesied  of  the  destruction  of  the 
people,  should  be  put  to  death; 

95  And  there  was  great  calamity  in  all  the  land,  for  they 
had  testified  that  a  greater  curse  should  come  upon  the  land, 


744  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  [chap.  4. 

and  also  upon  the  people,  and  that  there  should  be  a  great 
destruction  among  them,  such  an  one  as  never  had  been  upon 
the  face  of  the  earth; 

96  And  their  bones  should  become  as  heaps  of  earth  upon 
the  face  of  the  land,  except  they  should  repent  of  their  wick- 
edness. 

97  And  they  hearkened  not  unto  the  voice  of  the  Lord, 
because  of  their  wicked  combinations;  wherefore  there  began 
to  be  wars  and  contentions  in  all  the  land,  and  also  many 
famines  and  pestilences,  insomuch  that  there  was  a  great  de- 
struction, such  an  one  as  never  had  been  known  upon  the  face 
of  the  earth,  and  all  this  came  to  pass  in  the  days  of  Shib- 
lom. 

98  And  the  people  began  to  repent  of  their  iniquity;  and 
inasmuch  as  they  did,  the  Lord  did  have  mercy  on  them. 

99  IJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  Shiblom  was  slain,  and  Seth 
was  brought  into  captivity;  and  did  dwell  in  captivity  all  his 
days. 

100  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Ahah,  his  son,  did  obtain  the 
kingdom;  and  he  did  reign  over  the  people  all  his  days. 

101  And  he  did  do  all  manner  of  iniquity  in  his  days,  by 
which  he  did  cause  the  shedding  of  much  blood;  and  few  were 
his  days. 

102  And  Ethem,  being  a  descendant  of  Ahah,  did  obtain 
the  kingdom;  and  he  also  did  do  that  which  was  wicked  in  his 
days. 

103  And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  days  of  Ethem,  there  came 
many  prophets  and  prophesied  again  unto  the  people;  yea, 
they  did  prophesy  that  the  Lord  would  utterly  destroy  them 
from  off  the  face  of  the  earth,  except  they  repented  of  their 
iniquities. 

104  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  people  hardened  their 
hearts,  and  would  not  hearken  unto  their  words;  and  the 
prophets  mourned  and  withdrew  from  among  the  people. 

105  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Ethem  did  execute  judg- 
ment in  wickedness  all  his  days;  and  he  begat  Moron. 

106  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Moron  did  reign  in  his  stead; 
and  Moron  did  that  which  was  wicked  before  the  Lord. 


CHAP.   5.]  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  745 

107  And  it  came  to  pass  that  there  arose  a  rebellion  among 
the  people,  because  of  that  secret  combination  which  was 
built  up  to  get  power  and  gain;  and  there  arose  a  mighty- 
man  among  them  in  iniquity,  and  gave  battle  unto  Moron, 
in  which  he  did  overthrow  the  half  of  the  kingdom;  and  he 
did  maintain  the  half  of  the  kingdom  for  many  years. 

108  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Moron  did  overthrow  him, 
and  did  obtain  the  kingdom  again. 

109  And  it  came  to  pass  that  there  arose  anather  mighty 
man ;  and  he  was  a  descendant  of  the  brother  of  Jared. 

110  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  did  overthrow  Moron  and 
obtain  the  kingdom;  wherefore  Moron  dwelt  in  captivity  all 
the  remainder  of  his  days;  and  he  begat  Coriantor. 

111  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  Coriantor  dwelt  in  cap- 
tivity all  his  days. 

112  And  in  the  days  of  Coriantor  there  also  came  many 
prophets,  and  prophesied  of  great  and  marvelous  things,  and 
cried  repentance  unto  the  people,  and  except  they  should  re- 
pent, the  Lord  God  would  execute  judgment  against  them  to 
their  utter  destruction; 

113  And  that  the  Lord  God  would  send  or  bring  forth  an- 
other people  to  possess  the  land,  by  his  power,  after  the 
manner  which  he  brought  their  fathers. 

114  And  they  did  reject  all  the  words  of  the  prophets,  be- 
cause of  their  secret  society  and  wicked  abominations. 

115  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Coriantor  begat  Ether,  and 
he  died,  having  dwelt  in  captivity  all  his  days. 


CHAPTER  5. 

1  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  days  of  Ether  were  in  the 
days  of  Coriantumr;  and  Coriantumr  was  king  over  all  the 
land. 

2  And  Ether  was  a  prophet  of  the  Lord;  wherefore  Ether 
came  forth  in  the  days  of  Coriantumr,  and  began  to  prophesy 
unto  the  people,  for  he  could  not  be  restrained  because  of  the 
Spirit  of  the  Lord  which  was  in  him; 

3  For  he  did  cry  from  the  morning,  even  until  the  going 


746  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  [chap.   5. 

down  of  the  sun,  exhorting  the  people  to  believe  in  God  unto 
repentance,  lest  they  should  be  destroyed,  saying  unto  them, 
that  by  faith  all  things  are  fulfilled; 

4  Wherefore,  whoso  believeth  in  God,  might  with  surety 
hope  for  a  better  world,  yea,  even  a  place  at  the  right  hand 
of  God,  which  hope  cometh  of  faith,  maketh  an  anchor  to  the 
souls  of  men,  which  would  make  them  sure  and  steadfast, 
always  abounding  in  good  works,  being  led  to  glorify  God. 

5  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Ether  did  prophesy  great  and 
marvelous  things  unto  the  people,  which  they  did  not  believe, 
because  they  saw  them  not. 

6  And  now  I,  Moroni,  would  speak  somewhat  concerning 
these  things ;  I  would  shew  unto  the  world  that  faith  is  things 
which  are  hoped  for  and  not  seen; 

7  Wherefore,  dispute  not  because  ye  see  not,  for  ye  re- 
ceive no  witness  until  after  the  trial  of  your  faith,  for  it  was 
by  faith  that  Christ  shewed  himself  unto  our  fathers,  after 
he  had  risen  from  the  dead; 

8  And  he  shewed  not  himself  unto  them,  until  after  they 
had  faith  in  him;  wherefore,  it  must  needs  be  that  some  had 
faith  in  him,  for  he  shewed  himself  not  unto  the  world. 

9  But  because  of  the  faith  of  men,  he  has  shewn  himself 
unto  the  world,  and  glorified  the  name  of  the  Father,  and 
prepared  a  way  that  thereby  others  might  be  partakers  of 
the  heavenly  gift,  that  they  might  hope  for  those  things  which 
they  have  not  seen; 

10  Wherefore  ye  may  also  have  hope,  and  be  partakers  of 
the  gift,  if  ye  will  but  have  faith. 

11  Behold,  it  was  by  faith  that  they  of  old  were  called  after 
the  holy  order  of  God;  wherefore,  by  faith  was  the  law  of 
Moses  given. 

12  But  in  the  gift  of  his  Son,  hath  God  prepared  a  more 
excellent  way,  and  it  is  by  faith  that  it  hath  been  fulfilled; 

13  For  if  there  be  no  faith  among  the  children  of  men, 
God  can  do  no  miracle  among  them;  wherefore  he  shewed 
not  himself  until  after  their  faith. 

14  Behold,  it  was  the  faith  of  Alma  and  Amulek  that 
caused  the  prison  to  tumble  to  the  earth. 


CHAP.    5.]  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  747 

15  Behold,  it  was  the  faith  of  Nephi  and  Lehi,  that  wrought 
the  change  upon  the  Lamanites,  that  they  were  baptized  with 
tire  and  with  the  Holy  Ghost. 

16  Behold,  it  was  the  faith  of  Ammon  and  his  brethren, 
which  wrought  so  great  a  miracle  among  the  Lamanites;  yea, 
and  even  all  they  who  wrought  miracles,  wrought  them  by 
faith,  even  those  who  were  before  Christ,  and  also  them  who 
were  after. 

17  And  it  was  by  faith  that  the  three  disciples  obtained 
a  promise  that  they  should  not  taste  of  death;  and  they  ob- 
tained not  the  promise  until  after  their  faith. 

18  And  neither  at  any  time  hath  any  wrought  miracles 
until  after  their  faith;  wherefore  they  first  believed  in  the 
Son  of  God. 

19  And  there  were  many  whose  faith  was  so  exceeding 
strong  even  before  Christ  came,  who  could  not  be  kept  from 
within  the  vail,  but  truly  saw  with  their  eyes  the  things  which 
they  had  beheld  with  an  eye  of  faith,  and  they  were  glad. 

20  And  behold  we  have  seen  in  this  record,  that  one  of 
these  was  the  brother  of  Jared;  for  so  great  was  his  faith 
in  God,  that  when  God  put  forth  his  finger,  he  could  not  hide 
it  from  the  sight  of  the  brother  of  Jared,  because  of  his 
word  which  he  had  spoken  unto  him,  which  word  he  had  ob- 
tained by  faith. 

21  And  after  the  brother  of  Jared  had  beheld  the  finger  of 
the  Lord,  because  of  the  promise  which  the  brother  of  Jared 
had  obtained  by  faith,  the  Lord  could  not  withhold  anything 
from  his  sight;  wherefore  he  shewed  him  all  things,  for  he 
could  no  longer  be  kept  without  the  vail. 

22  And  it  is  by  faith  that  my  fathers  have  obtained  the 
promise  that  these  things  should  come  unto  their  brethren 
through  the  Gentiles;  therefore  the  Lord  hath  commanded 
me,  yea,  even  Jesus  Christ. 

23  And  I  said  unto  him.  Lord,  the  Gentiles  will  mock  at 
these  things,  because  of  our  weakness  in  writing;  for  Lord 
thou  hast  made  us  mighty  in  word  by  faith,  but  thou  hast  not 
made  us  mighty  in  writing; 

24  For  thou  hast  made  all  this  people  that  they  could  speak 


748  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  [chap.   5. 

much,  because  of  the  Holy  Ghost  which  thou  hast  given  them; 
and  thou  hast  made  us  that  we  could  write  but  little,  because 
of  the  awkwardness  of  our  hands. 

25  Behold,  thou  hast  not  made  us  mighty  in  writing  like 
unto  the  brother  of  Jared,  for  thou  madest  him  that  the 
things  which  he  wrote,  were  mighty  even  as  thou  art,  unto 
the  overpowering  of  man  to  read  them. 

26  Thou  hast  also  made  our  words  powerful  and  great, 
even  that  we  can  not  write  them;  wherefore,  when  we  write, 
we  behold  our  weakness,  and  stumble  because  of  the  placing 
of  our  words;  and  I  fear  lest  the  Gentiles  shall  mock  at  our 
words. 

27  And  when  I  had  said  this,  the  Lord  spake  unto  me,  say- 
ing. Fools  mock,  but  they  shall  mourn;  and  my  grace  is  suf- 
ficient for  the  meek,  that  they  shall  take  no  advantage  of 
your  weakness;  and  if  men  come  unto  me,  I  will  shew  unto 
them  their  weakness. 

28  I  give  unto  men  weakness,  that  they  may  be  humble; 
and  my  grace  is  sufficient  for  all  men  that  humble  themselves 
before  me;  for  if  they  humble  themselves  before  me,  and  have 
faith  in  me,  then  will  I  make  weak  things  become  strong  unto 
them. 

29  Behold,  I  will  shew  unto  the  Gentiles  their  weakness, 
and  I  will  shew  unto  them  that  faith,  hope,  and  charity, 
bringeth  unto  me  the  fountain  of  all  righteousness. 

30  And  I,  Moroni,  having  heard  these  words,  was  com- 
forted, and  said,  O  Lord,  thy  righteous  will  be  done,  for  I 
know  that  thou  workest  unto  the  children  of  men  according 
to  their  faith;  for  the  brother  of  Jared  said  unto  the  moun- 
tain Zerin,  Remove,  and  it  was  removed. 

31  And  if  he  had  not  had  faith,  it  would  not  have  moved; 
wherefore  thou  workest  after  men  have  faith;  for  thus  did 
thou  manifest  thyself  unto  thy  disciples. 

32  For  after  they  had  faith  and  did  speak  in  thy  name, 
thou  didst  shew  thyself  unto  them  in  great  power;  and  I  also 
rei^ember  that  thou  hast  said  that  thou  hast  prepared  a 
house  for  man;  yea,  even  among  the  mansions  of  thy  Father, 
in  which  man  might  have  a  more  excellent  hope;  wherefore 


CHAP.   5.]  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  749 

man  must  hope,  or  he  can  not  receive  an  inheritance  in  the 
place  which  thou  hast  prepared. 

33  And  again  I  remember  that  thou  hast  said  that  thou 
hast  loved  the  world,  even  unto  the  laying  down  of  thy  life 
for  the  world,  that  thou  mightest  take  it  again  to  prepare  a 
place  for  the  children  of  men. 

34  And  now  I  know  that  this  love  which  thou  hast  had  for 
the  children  of  men,  is  charity;  wherefore,  except  men  shall 
have  charity,  they  can  not  inherit  that  place  which  thou  hast 
prepared  in  the  mansions  of  thy  Father. 

35  Wherefore,  I  know  by  this  thing  which  thou  hast  said, 
that  if  the  Gentiles  have  not  charity,  because  of  our  weak- 
ness, that  thou  wilt  prove  them,  and  take  away  their  talent, 
yea,  even  that  which  they  have  received,  and  give  unto  them 
who  shall  have  more  abundantly. 

36  ^And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  prayed  unto  the  Lord  that 
he  would  give  unto  the  Gentiles  grace,  that  they  might  have 
charity. 

37  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Lord  said  unto  me,  If  they 
have  not  charity,  it  mattereth  not  unto  thee,  thou  hast  been 
faithful;  wherefore  thy  garments  shall  be  made  clean. 

38  And  because  thou  hast  seen  thy  weakness,  thou  shalt 
be  made  strong,  even  unto  the  sitting  down  in  the  place  which 
I  have  prepared  in  the  mansions  of  my  Father. 

39  And  now  I,  Moroni,  bid  farewell  unto  the  Gentiles,  yea, 
and  also  unto  my  brethren  whom  I  love,  until  we  shall  meet 
before  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ,  where  all  men  shall  know 
that  my  garments  are  not  spotted  with  your  blood; 

40  And  then  shall  ye  know  that  I  have  seen  Jesus,  and 
that  he  hath  talked  with  me  face  to  face,  and  that  he  told  me 
in  plain  humility,  even  as  a  man  telleth  another  in  mine  own 
language,  concerning  these  things;  and  only  a  few  have  I 
written,  because  of  my  weakness  in  writing. 

41  And  now  I  would  commend  you  to  seek  this  Jesus  of 
whom  the  prophets  and  apostles  have  written,  that  the  grace 
of  God  the  Father,  and  also  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  the 
Holy  Ghost,  which  beareth  record  of  them,  may  be,  and  abide 
in  you  for  ever.    Amen. 


750  BOOK  OF  ETHER.        [^'hap.  5. 

CHAPTER  6. 

1  ^And  now  I,  Moroni,  proceed  to  finish  my  record  con- 
cerning the  destruction  of  the  people  of  whom  I  have  been 
writing. 

2  For  behold,  they  rejected  all  the  words  of  Ether;  for  he 
truly  told  them  of  all  things,  from  the  beginning  of  man;  and 
that  after  the  waters  had  receded  from  off  the  face  of  this 
land,  it  became  a  choice  land  above  all  other  lands,  a  chosen 
land  of  the  Lord; 

3  Wherefore  the  Lord  would  have  that  all  men  should  serve 
him,  who  dwell  upon  the  face  thereof;  and  that  it  was  the 
place  of  the  New  Jerusalem,  which  should  come  down  out  of 
heaven,  and  the  holy  sanctuary  of  the  Lord. 

4  Behold,  Ether  saw  the  days  of  Christ,  and  he  spake  con- 
cerning a  New  Jerusalem  upon  this  land;  and  he  spake  also 
concerning  the  house  of  Israel,  and  the  Jerusalem  from 
whence  Lehi  should  come;  after  it  should  be  destroyed,  it 
should  be  built  up  again  a  holy  city  unto  the  Lord; 

5  Wherefore  it  could  not  be  a  New  Jerusalem,  for  it  had 
been  in  a  time  of  old,  but  it  should  be  built  up  again,  and  be- 
come a  holy  city  of  the  Lord:  and  it  should  be  built  up  unto 
the  house  of  Israel; 

6  And  that  a  New  Jerusalem  should  be  built  up  upon  this 
land,  unto  the  remnant  of  the  seed  of  Joseph,  for  which 
things  there  has  been  a  type;  for  as  Joseph  brought  his 
father  down  into  the  land  of  Egypt,  even  so  he  died  there; 

7  Wherefore  the  Lord  brought  a  remnant  of  the  seed  of 
Joseph  out  of  the  land  of  Jerusalem,  that  he  might  be  merci- 
ful unto  the  seed  of  Joseph,  that  they  should  perish  not,  even 
as  he  was  merciful  unto  the  father  of  Joseph,  that  he  should 
perish  not; 

8  Wherefore  the  remnant  of  the  house  of  Joseph  shall  be 
built  up  upon  this  land;  and  it  shall  be  a  land  of  their  inherit- 
ance; and  they  shall  build  up  a  holy  city  unto  the  Lord,  like 
unto  the  Jerusalem  of  old;  and  they  shall  no  more  be  con- 
founded, until  the  end  come,  when  the  earth  shall  pass  away. 

9  And  there  shall  be  a  new  heaven  and  a  new  earth;  and 


CHAP.  G.]  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  751 

they  shall  be  like  unto  the  old,  save  the  old  have  passed  away, 
and  all  things  have  become  new. 

10  And  then  cometh  the  New  Jerusalem;  and  blessed  are 
they  who  dwell  therein,  for  it  is  they  whose  garments  are 
white  through  the  blood  of  the  Lamb;  and  they  are  they  who 
are  numbered  among  the  remnant  of  the  seed  of  Joseph,  who 
were  of  the  house  of  Israel. 

11  And  then  also  cometh  the  Jerusalem  of  old;  and  the 
inhabitants  thereof,  blessed  are  they,  for  they  have  been 
washed  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb; 

12  And  they  are  they  who  were  scattered  and  gathered  in 
from  the  four  quarters  of  the  earth,  and  from  the  north  coun- 
tries, and  are  partakers  of  the  fulfilling  of  the  covenant  which 
God  made  with  their  father  Abraham. 

13  And  when  these  things  come,  bringeth  to  pass  the  scrip- 
ture which  saith,  There  are  they  who  were  first,  who  shall  be 
last;  and  there  are  they  who  were  last,  who  shall  be  first. 

14  TJAnd  I  was  about  to  write  more,  but  I  am  forbidden; 
but  great  and  marvelous  were  the  prophecies  of  Ether,  but 
they  esteemed  him  as  nought,  and  cast  him  out,  and  he  hid 
himself  in  the  cavity  of  a  rock  by  day,  and  by  night  he  went 
forth  viewing  the  things  which  should  come  upon  the  people. 

15  And  as  he  dwelt  in  the  cavity  of  a  rock,  he  made  the 
remainder  of  this  record,  viewing  the  destructions  which 
came  upon  the  people  by  night. 

16  And  it  came  to  pass  that  in  that  same  year  which  he 
was  cast  out  from  among  the  people,  there  began  to  be  a 
great  war  among  the  people,  for  there  were  many  who  rose 
up  who  were  mighty  men,  and  sought  to  destroy  Coriantumr, 
by  their  secret  plans  of  wickedness,  of  which  hath  been 
spoken. 

17  And  now  Coriantumr,  having  studied  himself  in  all  the 
arts  of  war,  and  all  the  cunning  of  the  world,  wherefore  he 
gave  battle  unto  them  who  sought  to  destroy  him; 

18  But  he  repented  not,  neither  his  fair  sons  nor  daugh- 
ters; neither  the  fair  sons  and  daughters  of  Cohor;  neither 
the  fair  sons  and  daughters  of  Corihor;  and  in  fine,  there  was 


752  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  [chap.  6. 

none  of  the  fair  sons  and  daughters  upon  the  face  of  the 
whole  earth,  who  repented  of  their  sins; 

19  Wherefore  it  came  to  pass  that  in  the  first  year  that 
Ether  dwelt  in  the  cavity  of  a  rock,  there  was  many  people 
who  were  slain  by  the  sword  of  those  secret  combinations 
fighting  against  Coriantumr,  that  they  might  obtain  the 
kingdom. 

20  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  sons  of  Coriantumr  fought 
much  and  bled  much. 

21  And  in  the  second  year,  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  to 
Ether,  that  he  should  go  and  prophesy  unto  Coriantumr,  that 
if  he  would  repent,  and  all  his  household,  the  Lord  would 
give  unto  him  his  kingdom,  and  spare  the  people, 

22  Otherwise  they  should  be  destroyed,  and  all  his  house- 
hold, save  it  were  himself,  and  he  should  only  live  to  see  the 
fulfilling  of  the  prophecies  which  had  been  spoken  concerning 
another  people  receiving  the  land  for  their  inheritance; 

23  And  Coriantumr  should  receive  a  burial  by  them;  and 
every  soul  should  be  destroyed  save  it  were  Coriantumr. 

24  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Coriantumr  repented  not, 
neither  his  household,  neither  the  people;  and  the  wars 
ceased  not;  and  they  sought  to  kill  Ether,  but  he  fled  from 
before  them,  and  hid  again  in  the  cavity  of  the  rock. 

25  And  it  came  to  pass  that  there  arose  up  Shared,  and  he 
also  gave  battle  unto  Coriantumr;  and  he  did  beat  him,  inso- 
much that  in  the  third  year  he  did  bring  him  unto  captivity. 

26  And  the  sons  of  Coriantumr,  in  the  fourth  year,  did 
beat  Shared,  and  did  obtain  the  kingdom  again  unto  their 
father. 

27  Now  there  began  to  be  a  war  upon  all  the  face  of  the 
land,  every  man  with  his  band,  fighting  for  that  which  he 
desired. 

28  And  there  were  robbers,  and  in  fine,  all  manner  of  wick- 
edness upon  all  the  face  of  the  land. 

29  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Coriantumr  was  exceeding 
angry  with  Shared,  and  he  went  against  him  with  his  armies 
to  battle;  and  they  did  meet  in  great  anger;  and  they  did 


CHAP.  6.]  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  753 

meet  in  the  valley  of  Gilgal;  and  the  battle  became  exceeding 
sore. 

30  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Shared  fought  against  him  for 
the  space  of  three  days. 

31  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Coriantumr  beat  him,  and  did 
pursue  him  until  he  came  to  the  plains  of  Heshlon. 

32  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Shared  gave  him  battle  again 
upon  the  plains;  and  behold  he  did  beat  Coriantumr,  and 
drove  him  back  again  to  the  valley  of  Gilgal. 

33  And  Coriantumr  gave  Shared  battle  again  in  the  valley 
of  Gilgal,  in  which  he  beat  Shared,  and  slew  him. 

34  And  Shared  wounded  Coriantumr  in  his  thigh,  that  he 
did  not  go  to  battle  again  for  the  space  of  two  years,  in  which 
time  all  the  people  upon  all  the  face  of  the  land  were  shed- 
ding blood,  and  there  was  none  to  restrain  them. 

35  And  now  there  began  to  be  a  great  curse  upon  the  land, 
because  of  the  iniquity  of  the  people,  in  which,  if  a  man 
should  lay  his  tool  or  his  sword  upon  the  shelf,  or  upon  the 
place  whither  he  would  keep  it,  and  behold,  upon  the  morrow, 
he  could  not  find  it,  so  great  was  the  curse  upon  the  land. 

36  Wherefore  every  man  did  cleave  unto  that  which  v/as 
his  own,  with  his  hands,  and  v/ould  not  borrow,  neither  would 
he  lend;  and  every  man  kept  the  hilt  of  his  sword  thereof  in 
his  right  hand,  in  the  defense  of  his  property  and  his  own 
life,  and  of  his  wives  and  children. 

37  And  now  after  the  space  of  two  years,  and  after  the 
death  of  Shared,  behold,  there  arose  the  brother  of  Shared, 
and  he  gave  battle  unto  Coriantumr,  in  which  Coriantumr  did 
beat  him,  and  did  pursue  him  to  the  wilderness  of  Akish. 

38  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  brother  of  Shared  did  give 
battle  unto  him  in  the  wilderness  of  Akish;  and  the  battle 
became  exceeding  sore,  and  many  thousands  fell  by  the  sword. 

39  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Coriantumr  did  lay  siege  to 
the  wilderness,  and  the  brother  of  Shared  did  march  forth 
out  of  the  wilderness  by  night,  and  slew  a  part  of  the  army 
of  Coriantumr,  as  they  were  drunken. 

40  And  he  came  forth  to  the  land  of  Moron,  and  placed 
himself  upon  the  throne  of  Coriantumr. 


754  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  [chap.  6. 

41  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Coriantumr  dwelt  with  his 
army  in  the  wilderness,  for  the  space  of  two  years,  in  which 
he  did  receive  great  strength  to  his  army. 

42  Now  the  brother  of  Shared,  whose  name  was  Gilead, 
also  received  great  strength  to  his  army  because  of  secret 
combinations. 

43  And  it  came  to  pass  that  his  high  priest  murdered  him 
as  he  sat  upon  his  throne. 

44  And  it  came  to  pass  that  one  of  the  secret  combinations 
murdered  him  in  a  secret  pass,  and  obtained  unto  himself  the 
kingdom;  and  his  name  was  Lib;  and  Lib  was  a  man  of 
great  stature,  more  than  any  other  man  among  all  the  people. 

45  And  it  came  to  pass  that  in  the  first  year  of  Lib,  Cori- 
antumr came  up  unto  the  land  of  Moron,  and  gave  battle  unto 
Lib. 

46  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  fought  with  Lib,  in  which 
Lib  did  smite  upon  his  arm  that  he  was  wounded;  neverthe- 
less, the  army  of  Coriantumr  did  press  forward  upon  Lib, 
that  he  fled  to  the  borders  upon  the  sea-shore. 

47  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Coriantumr  pursued  him;  and 
Lib  gave  battle  unto  him  upon  the  sea-shore. 

48  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Lib  did  smite  the  army  of 
Coriantumr,  that  they  fled  again  to  the  wilderness  of  Akish. 

49  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Lib  did  pursue  him  until  he 
came  to  the  plains  of  Agosh. 

50  And  Coriantumr  had  taken  all  the  people  with  him,  as 
he  fled  before  Lib,  in  that  quarter  of  the  land  whither  he  fled. 

51  And  when  he  had  come  to  the  plains  of  Agosh,  he  gave 
battle  unto  Lib,  and  he  smote  upon  him  until  he  died;  never- 
theless the  brother  of  Lib  did  come  against  Coriantumr  in 
the  stead  thereof,  and  the  battle  became  exceeding  sore,  in 
the  which  Coriantumr  fled  again  before  the  army  of  the 
brother  of  Lib. 

52  Now  the  name  of  the  brother  of  Lib  was  called  Shiz. 

53  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Shiz  pursued  after  Corian- 
tumr, and  he  did  overthrow  many  cities,  and  he  did  slay  both 
women  and  children,  and  he  did  burn  the  cities  thereof; 

54  And  there  went  a  fear  of  Shiz  throughout  all  the  land; 


CHAP.  6.]  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  765 

yea,  a  cry  went  forth  throughout  the  land,  Who  can  stand 
before  the  army  of  Shiz?  Behold,  he  sweepeth  the  earth  be- 
fore him! 

55  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  people  began  to  flock  to- 
gether in  armies,  throughout  all  the  face  of  the  land. 

56  And  they  were  divided,  and  a  part  of  them  fled  to  the 
army  of  Shiz,  and  a  part  of  them  fled  to  the  army  of  Corian- 
tumr. 

57  And  so  gi^eat  and  lasting  had  been  the  war,  and  so  long 
had  been  the  scene  of  bloodshed  and  carnage,  that  the  whole 
face  of    the  land  was  covered  with  the  bodies  of  the  dead; 

58  And  so  swift  and  speedy  was  the  war,  that  there  was 
none  left  to  bury  the  dead,  but  they  did  march  forth  from 
the  shedding  of  blood,  to  the  shedding  of  blood,  leaving  the 
bodies  of  both  men,  women  and  children,  strewed  upon  the 
face  of  the  land,  to  become  a  prey  to  the  worms  of  the  flesh; 

59  And  the  scent  thereof  went  forth  upon  the  face  of  the 
land,  even  upon  all  the  face  of  the  land;  wherefore  the  peo- 
ple became  troubled  by  day  and  by  night,  because  of  the 
scent  thereof; 

60  Nevertheless,  Shiz  did  not  cease  to  pursue  Coriantumr, 
for  he  had  sworn  to  avenge  himself  upon  Coriantumr  of  the 
blood  of  his  brother,  who  had  been  slain,  and  the  word  of  the 
Lord  came  to  Ether,  that  Coriantumr  should  not  fall  by  the 
sword. 

61  And  thus  we  see  that  the  Lord  did  visit  them  in  the  full- 
ness of  his  wrath,  and  their  wickedness  and  abominations,  had 
prepared  a  way  for  their  everlasting  destruction. 

62  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Shiz  did  pursue  Coriantumr 
eastward,  even  to  the  borders  of  the  sea-shore,  and  there  he 
gave  battle  unto  Shiz  for  the  space  of  three  days; 

63  And  so  terrible  Vv^as  the  destruction  among  the  armies  of 
Shiz,  that  the  people  began  to  be  frightened,  and  began  to 
flee  before  the  armies  of  Coriantumr; 

64  And  they  fled  to  the  land  of  Corihor,  and  swept  off  the 
inhabitants  before  them,  all  they  that  would  not  join  them; 
and  they  pitched  their  tents  in  the  valley  of  Corihor. 


756  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  [chap.  6. 

65  And  Coriantumr  pitched  his  tents  in  the  valley  of 
Shurr. 

66  Now  the  valley  of  Shurr  was  near  the  hill  Comnor; 
wherefore  Coriantumr  did  gather  his  armies  together,  upon 
the  hill  Comnor,  and  did  sound  a  trumpet  unto  the  armies  of 
Shiz,  to  invite  them  forth  to  battle. 

67  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  came  forth,  but  were 
driven  again;  and  they  came  the  second  time;  and  they  were 
driven  again  the  second  time. 

68  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  came  again  the  third 
time,  and  the  battle  became  exceeding  sore. 

69  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Shiz  smote  upon  Coriantumr, 
that  he  gave  him  many  deep  wounds. 

70  And  Coriantumr  having  lost  his  blood,  fainted,  and  was 
carried  away  as  though  he  were  dead. 

71  Now  the  loss  of  men,  women  and  children,  on  both  sides, 
was  so  great  that  Shiz  commanded  his  people  that  they  should 
not  pursue  the  armies  of  Coriantumr;  wherefore  they  re- 
turned to  their  camp. 

72  ^And  it  came  to  pass  when  Coriantumr  had  recovered 
of  his  wounds,  he  began  to  remember  the  words  which  Ether 
had  spoken  unto  him; 

73  He  saw  that  there  had  been  slain  by  the  sword  already 
nearly  two  millions  of  his  people,  and  he  began  to  sorrow  in 
his  heart;  yea,  there  had  been  slain  two  millions  of  mighty 
men,  and  also  their  wives  and  their  children. 

74  He  began  to  repent  of  the  evil  which  he  had  done;  he 
began  to  remember  the  words  which  had  been  spoken  by  the 
mouth  of  all  the  prophets,  and  he  saw  them  that  they  were 
fulfilled,  thus  far,  every  whit,  and  his  soul  mourned,  and  re- 
fused to  be  comforted. 

75  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  wrote  an  epistle  unto  Shiz, 
desiring  him  that  he  would  spare  the  people,  and  he  would 
give  up  the  kingdom  for  the  sake  of  the  lives  of  the  people. 

76  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Shiz  had  received  his 
epistle,  he  wrote  an  epistle  unto  Coriantumr,  that  if  he  would 
give  himself  up,  that  he  might  slay  him  with  his  own  sword, 
that  he  would  spare  the  lives  of  the  people. 


CHAP.  6.]  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  757 

77  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  people  repented  not  of  their 
iniquity;  and  the  people  of  Coriantumr  were  stirred  up  to 
anger  against  the  people  of  Shiz; 

78  And  the  people  of  Shiz  were  stirred  up  to  anger  against 
the  people  of  Coriantumr;  wherefore  the  people  of  Shiz  did 
give  battle  unto  the  people  of  Coriantumr. 

79  And  when  Coriantumr  saw  that  he  was  about  to  fall, 
he  fled  again  before  the  people  of  Shiz. 

80  And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  came  to  the  waters  of  Rip- 
liancum,  which,  by  interpretation,  is  large,  or  to  exceed  all; 
wherefore,  when  they  came  to  these  waters,  they  pitched 
their  tents;  and  Shiz  also  pitched  his  tents  near  unto  them; 
and  therefore  on  the  morrow,  they  did  come  to  battle. 

81  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  fought  an  exceeding  sore 
battle,  in  which  Coriantumr  was  wounded  again,  and  he 
fainted  with  the  loss  of  blood. 

82  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  armies  of  Coriantumr  did 
press  upon  the  armies  of  Shiz,  that  they  beat  them,  that  they 
caused  them  to  flee  before  them;  and  they  did  flee  southward, 
and  did  pitch  their  tents  in  a  place  which  was  called  Ogath. 

83  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the  army  of  Coriantumr  did 
pitch  their  tents  by  the  hill  Ramah ;  and  it  was  that  same  hill 
where  my  father  Mormon  did  hide  up  the  records  unto  the 
Lord  which  were  sacred. 

84  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did  gather  together  all 
the  people,  upon  all  the  face  of  the  land,  who  had  not  been 
slain,  save  it  was  Ether. 

85  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Ether  did  behold  all  the  doings 
of  the  people;  and  he  beheld  that  the  people  who  were  for 
Coriantumr,  were  gathered  together  to  the  army  of  Corian- 
tumr; and  the  people  who  were  for  Shiz,  were  gathered  to- 
gether to  the  army  of  Shiz; 

86  Wherefore  they  were  for  the  space  of  four  years,  gath- 
ering together  the  people,  that  they  might  get  all  who  were 
upon  the  face  of  the  land,  and  that  they  might  receive  all  the 
strength  which  it  was  possible  that  they  could  receive. 

87  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  they  were  all  gathered 
together,  every  one  to  the  army  which  he  would,  with  their 


758  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  [chap.  6. 

wives,  and  their  children;  both  men,  women  and  children 
being  armed  with  weapons  of  war,  having  shields,  and  breast- 
plates, and  head-plates,  and  being  clothed  after  the  manner 
of  war,  they  did  march  forth  one  against  another,  to  battle; 
and  they  fought  all  that  day,  and  conquered  not. 

88  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  it  was  night  they  were 
weary,  and  retired  to  their  camps;  and  after  they  had  retired 
to  their  camps,  they  took  up  a  howling  and  a  lamentation  for 
the  loss  of  the  slain  of  their  people;  and  so  great  were  their 
cries,  their  bowlings  and  lamentations,  that  it  did  rend  the 
air  exceedingly. 

89  And  it  came  to  pass  that  on  the  morrow  they  did  go 
again  to  battle,  and  great  and  terrible  was  that  day; 

90  Nevertheless  they  conquered  not,  and  when  the  night 
came  again,  they  did  rend  the  air  with  their  cries,  and  their 
bowlings,  and  their  mournings,  for  the  loss  of  the  slain  of 
their  people. 

91  TJAnd  it  came  to  pass  that  Coriantumr  wrote  again  an 
epistle  unto  Shiz,  desiring  that  he  would  not  come  again  to 
battle,  but  that  he  would  take  the  kingdom,  and  spare  the 
lives  of  the  people. 

92  But  behold,  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  had  ceased  striving 
with  them,  and  Satan  had  full  power  over  the  hearts  of  the 
people,  for  they  were  given  up  unto  the  hardness  of  their 
hearts,  and  the  blindness  of  their  minds,  that  they  might  be 
destroyed;  wherefore  they  went  again  to  battle. 

93  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  fought  all  that  day,  and 
when  the  night  came  they  slept  upon  their  swords ;  and  on  the 
morrow  they  fought  even  until  the  night  came; 

94  And  when  the  night  came  they  were  drunken  with 
anger,  even  as  a  man  who  is  drunken  with  wine;  and  they 
slept  again  upon  their  swords;  and  on  the  morrow  they 
fought  again; 

95  And  when  the  night  came  they  had  all  fallen  by  the 
sword,  save  it  were  fifty  and  two  of  the  people  of  Coriantumr, 
and  sixty  and  nine  of  the  people  of  Shiz. . 

96  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  slept  upon  their  swords 
that  night,  and  on  the  morrow  they  fought  again,  and  they 


CHAP.  6.]  BOOK    OF    ETHER.  759 

contended  in  their  mights  with  their  swords,  and  with  their 
shields,  all  that  day; 

97  And  when  the  night  came  there  were  thirty  and  two  of 
the  people  of  Shiz,  and  twenty  and  seven  of  the  people  of 
Coriantumr. 

98  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  ate  and  slept,  and  pre- 
pared for  death  on  the  morrow. 

99  And  they  were  large  and  mighty  men,  as  to  the  strength 
01  men. 

100  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  fought  for  the  space  of 
three  hours,  and  they  fainted  v/ith  the  loss  of  blood. 

101  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  the  men  of  Coriantumr 
had  received  sufficient  strength,  that  they  could  walk,  they 
were  about  to  flee  for  their  lives,  but  behold,  Shiz  arose,  and 
also  his  men,  and  he  swore  in  his  wrath  that  he  would  slay 
Coriantumr,  or  he  would  perish  by  the  sword; 

102  Wherefore  he  did  pursue  them,  and  on  the  morrow  he 
did  overtake  them;  and  they  fought  again  with  the  sword. 

103  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  they  had  all  fallen  by 
the  sword,  save  it  were  Coriantumr  and  Shiz,  behold,  Shiz 
had  fainted  with  the  loss  of  blood. 

104  And  it  came  to  pass  that  v/hen  Coriantumr  had  leaned 
upon  his  sword,  that  he  rested  a  little,  he  smote  off  the  head 
of  Shiz. 

105  And  it  came  to  pass  that  after  he  had  smote  off  the 
head  of  Shiz,  that  Shiz  raised  upon  his  hands  and  fell;  and 
after  that  he  had  struggled  for  breath,  he  died. 

106  And  it  came  to  pass  that  Coriantumr  fell  to  the  earth, 
and  became  as  if  he  had  no  life. 

107  And  the  Lord  spake  unto  Ether,  and  said  unto  him, 
Go  forth. 

108  And  he  went  forth,  and  beheld  that  the  words  of  the 
Lord  had  all  been  fulfilled;  and  he  finished  his  record;  (and 
the  hundredth  part  I  have  not  written;)  and  he  hid  them  in 
a  manner  that  the  people  of  Limhi  did  find  them. 

109  Now  the  last  words  which  are  written  by  Ether,  are 


760  BOOK    OF    MORONI.  [chaps.  1,  2. 

these:  Whether  the  Lord  will  that  I  be  translated,  or  that  I 
suffer  the  will  of  the  Lord  in  the  flesh,  it  mattereth  not,  if  it 
so  be  that  I  am  saved  in  the  kingdom  of  God.    Amen. 


THE  BOOK  OF  MORONI. 


CHAPTER  1. 

1  ^Now  I,  Moroni,  after  having  made  an  end  of  abridging 
the  account  of  the  people  of  Jared,  I  had  supposed  not  to  have 
written  more,  but  I  have  not  as  yet  perished;  and  I  make 
not  myself  known  to  the  Lamanites,  lest  they  should  destroy 
me. 

2  For  behold,  their  wars  are  exceeding  fierce  among  them- 
selves; and  because  of  their  hatred,  they  put  to  death  every 
Nephite  that  will  not  deny  the  Christ. 

3  And  I,  Moroni,  will  not  deny  the  Christ;  wherefore,  I 
wander  whithersoever  I  can,  for  the  safety  of  mine  own  life. 

4  Wherefore  I  write  a  few  more  things,  contrary  to  that 
which  I  had  supposed;  for  I  had  supposed  not  to  have  writ- 
ten any  more;  but  I  write  a  few  more  things,  that  perhaps 
they  may  be  of  worth  unto  my  brethren,  the  Lamanites,  in 
some  future  day,  according  to  the  will  of  the  Lord. 


CHAPTER  2. 

1  ^The  words  of  Christ,  which  he  spake  unto  his  disciples, 
the  twelve  whom  he  had  chosen,  as  he  laid  his  hands  upon 
them. 

2  And  he  called  them  by  name,  saying.  Ye  shall  call  on  the 
Father  in  my  name,  in  mighty  prayer;  and  after  ye  have  done 
this,  ye  shall  have  power  that  on  him  whom  ye  shall  lay  your 
hands,  ye  shall  give  the  Holy  Ghost;  and  in  my  name  shall 
ye  give  it,  for  thus  do  mine  apostles. 

3  Now  Christ  spake  these  words  unto  them  at  the  time  of 
his  first  appearing;  and  the  multitude  heard  it  not,  but  the 


CHAPS.  3,  4.]  BOOK    OF    MORONI.  761 

disciples  heard  it,  and  on  as  many  as  they  laid  their  hands, 
fell  the  Holy  Ghost. 


CHAPTER   3. 

1  TJThe  manner  which  the  disciples,  who  were  called  the 
elders  of  the  church,  ordained  priests  and  teachers. 

2  After  they  had  prayed  unto  the  Father  in  the  name  of 
Christ,  they  laid  their  hands  upon  them,  and  said,  In  the 
name  of  Jesus  Christ  I  ordain  you  to  be  a  priest;  (or  if  he  be 
a  teacher;)  I  ordain  you  to  be  a  teacher,  to  preach  repent- 
ance and  remission  of  sins  through  Jesus  Christ,  by  the  en- 
durance of  faith  on  his  name  to  the  end.    Amen. 

3  And  after  this  manner  did  they  ordain  priests  and 
teachers,  according  to  the  gifts  and  callings  of  God  unto 
men;  and  they  ordained  them  by  the  power  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  which  was  in  them. 


CHAPTER  4. 

1  l[The  manner  of  their  elders  and  priests  administering 
the  flesh  and  blood  of  Christ  unto  the  church. 

2  And  they  administered  it  according  to  the  command- 
ments of  Christ;  wherefore  we  know  the  manner  to  be  true; 
and  the  elder  or  priest  did  minister  it. 

3  And  they  did  kneel  dow^n  with  the  church,  and  pray  to 
the  Father  in  the  name  of  Christ,  saying, 

4  0  God,  £he  eternal  Father,  we  ask  thee  in  the  name  of 
thy  Son  Jesus  Christ,  to  bless  and  sanctify  this  bread  to  the 
souls  of  all  those  who  partake  of  it,  that  they  may  eat  in  re- 
membrance of  the  body  of  thy  Son,  and  witness  unto  thee,  O 
God  the  eternal  Father,  that  they  are  willing  to  take  upon 
them  the  name  of  thy  Son,  and  always  remember  him,  and 
keep  his  commandments  which  he  hath  given  them,  that  they 
may  always  have  his  Spirit  to  be  with  them.     Amen. 


762  BOOK    OF    MORONI.  [chaps.  5,  6. 

CHAPTER  5. 

1  ^The  manner  of  administering  the  wine. 

2  Behold,  they  took  the  cup,  and  said, 

3  O  God,  the  eternal  Father,  we  ask  thee,  in  the  name  of 
thy  Son  Jesus  Christ,  to  bless  and  sanctify  this  wine  to  the 
souls  of  all  those  who  drink  of  it,  that  they  may  do  it  in 
remembrance  of  the  blood  of  thy  Son  which  was  shed  for 
them,  that  they  may  witness  unto  thee,  O  God,  the  eternal 
Father,  that  they  do  always  remember  him,  that  they  may 
have  his  Spirit  to  be  with  them.    Amen. 


CHAPTER  6. 

1  IJAnd  now  I  speak  concerning  baptism. 

2  Behold,  elders,  priests,  and  teachers  were  baptized;  and 
they  were  not  baptized,  save  they  brought  forth  fruit  meet 
that  they  were  worthy  of  it;  neither  did  they  receive  any 
unto  baptism,  save  they  came  forth  with  a  broken  heart  and 
a  contrite  spirit,  and  witnessed  unto  the  church  that  they 
truly  repented  of  all  their  sins. 

3  And  none  were  received  unto  baptism,  save  they  took 
upon  them  the  name  of  Christ,  having  a  determination  to 
serve  him  to  the  end. 

4  And  after  they  had  been  received  unto  baptism,  and  were 
wrought  upon  and  cleansed  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
they  were  numbered  among  the  people  of  the  church  of 
Christ, 

5  And  their  names  were  taken,  that  they  might  be  re- 
membered and  nourished  by  the  good  word  of  God,  to  keep 
them  in  the  right  way,  to  keep  them  continually  watchful 
unto  prayer,  relying  alone  upon  the  merits  of  Christ,  who 
was  the  author  and  the  finisher  of  their  faith. 

6  And  the  church  did  meet  together  oft,  to  fast  and  to 
pray,  and  to  speak  one  with  another  concerning  the  welfare 
of  their  souls:  and  they  did  meet  together  oft  to  partake  of 
bread  and  wine,  in  remembrance  of  the  Lord  Jesus; 

7  And  they  were  strict  to  observe  that  there  should  be  no 


CHAP.  7.]  BOOK    OF    MORONI.  763 

iniquity  among  them;  and  whoso  was  found  to  commit  iniq- 
uity, and  three  witnesses  of  the  church  did  condemn  them  be- 
fore the  elders; 

8  And  if  they  repented  not,  and  confessed  not,  their  names 
were  blotted  out,  and  they  were  not  numbered  among  the 
people  of  Christ;  but  as  oft  as  they  repented,  and  sought  for- 
giveness, with  real  intent,  they  were  forgiven. 

9  And  their  meetings  were  conducted  by  the  church,  after 
the  manner  of  the  workings  of  the  Spirit,  and  by  the  power 
01  the  Holy  Ghost;  for  as  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost  led 
them  whether  to  preach  or  exhort,  or  to  pray,  or  to  suppli- 
cate, or  to  sing,  even  so  it  was  done. 


CHAPTER  7. 

1  IJAnd  now  I,  Moroni,  write  a  few  of  the  words  of  my 
father  Mormon,  which  he  spake  concerning  faith,  hope  and 
charity;  for  after  this  manner  did  he  speak  unto  the  people, 
as  he  taught  them  in  the  synagogue  which  they  had  built  for 
the  place  of  worship. 

2  And  now  I,  Mormon,  speak  unto  you,  my  beloved  breth- 
ren; and  it  is  by  the  grace  of  God,  the  Father,  and  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  and  his  holy  will,  because  of  the  gift  of  his 
calling  unto  me,  that  I  am  permitted  to  speak  unto  you  at 
this  time; 

3  Wherefore  I  w^ould  speak  unto  you  that  are  of  the  church, 
that  are  the  peaceable  followers  of  Christ,  and  that  have  ob- 
tained a  sufficient  hope,  by  which  ye  can  enter  into  the  rest 
of  the  Lord,  from  this  time  henceforth,  until  ye  shall  rest 
with  him  in  heaven. 

4  And  now  my  brethren,  I  judge  these  things  of  you  be- 
cause of  your  peaceable  walk  with  the  children  of  men;  for  I 
remember  the  word  of  God,  which  saith.  By  their  works  ye 
shall  know  them;  for  if  their  works  be  good,  then  they  are 
good  also. 

5  For  behold,  God  hath  said,  A  man  being  evil,  can  not  do 
that  which  is  good;  for  if  he  oifereth  a  gift,  or  prayeth  unto 


764  BOOK    OF    MORONI.  [chap.  7. 

God,  except  he  shall  do  it  with  real  intent,  it  profiteth  him 
nothing. 

6  For  behold,  it  is  not  counted  unto  him  for  righteousness. 

7  For  behold,  if  a  man  being  evil,  giveth  a  gift,  he  doeth 
it  grudgingly;  wherefore  it  is  counted  unto  him  the  same  as 
if  he  had  retained  the  gift;  wherefore  he  is  counted  evil  be- 
fore God. 

8  And  likewise  also  is  it  counted  evil  unto  a  man,  if  he 
shall  pray,  and  not  with  real  intent  of  heart;  yea,  and  it 
profiteth  him  nothing;  for  God  receiveth  none  such;  where- 
fore, a  man  being  evil,  can  not  do  that  which  is  good;  neither 
will  he  give  a  good  gift. 

9  For  behold,  a  bitter  fountain  can  not  bring  forth  good 
water;  neither  can  a  good  fountain  bring  forth  bitter  water; 
wherefore  a  man  being  a  servant  of  the  devil,  can  not  follow 
Christ;  and  if  he  follow  Christ,  he  can  not  be  a  servant  of 
the  devil. 

10  Wherefore,  all  things  which  are  good,  cometh  of  God; 
and  that  which  is  evil,  cometh  of  the  devil;  for  the  devil  is  an 
enemy  unto  God,  and  fighteth  against  him  continually,  and 
inviteth  and  enticeth  to  sin,  and  to  do  that  which  is  evil  con- 
tinually. 

11  But  behold,  that  which  is  of  God,  inviteth  and  enticeth 
to  do  good  continually;  wherefore,  everything  which  inviteth 
and  enticeth  to  do  good,  and  to  love  God,  and  to  serve  him, 
is  inspired  of  God. 

12  Wherefore  take  heed,  my  beloved  brethren,  that  ye  do 
not  judge  that  which  is  evil  to  be  of  God,  or  that  which  is 
good  and  of  God,  to  be  of  the  devil. 

13  For  behold,  my  brethren,  it  is  given  unto  you  to  judge, 
that  ye  may  know  good  from  evil;  and  the  way  to  judge  is 
as  plain,  that  ye  may  know  with  a  perfect  knowledge,  as  the 
daylight  is  from  the  dark  night. 

14  For  behold,  the  Spirit  of  Christ  is  given  to  every  man, 
that  they  may  know  good  from  evil;  wherefore  I  shew  unto 
you  the  way  to  judge:  for  everything  which  inviteth  to  do 
good,  and  to  persuade  to  believe  in  Christ,  is  sent  forth  by 
the  power  and  gift  of  Christ; 


CHAP.  7.]  BOOK    OF    MORONI.  765 

15  Wherefore  ye  may  know  with  a  perfect  knowledge,  it 
is  of  God;  but  whatsoever  thing  persuadeth  men  to  do  evil, 
and  believe  not  in  Christ,  and  deny  him,  and  serve  not  God, 
then  ye  may  know  with  a  perfect  knowledge  it  is  of  the  devil, 

16  For  after  this  manner  doth  the  devil  work,  for  he  per- 
suadeth no  man  to  do  good,  no  not  one;  neither  doth  his  an- 
gels; neither  do  they  who  subject  themselves  unto  him. 

17  TJAnd  now,  my  brethren,  seeing  that  ye  know  the  light 
by  which  ye  may  judge,  which  light  is  the  light  of  Christ,  see 
that  ye  do  not  judge  wrongfully;  for  with  that  same  judgr 
ment  which  ye  judge,  ye  shall  also  be  judged. 

18  Wherefore  I  beseech  of  you,  brethren,  that  ye  should 
search  diligently  in  the  light  of  Christ,  that  ye  may  know 
good  from  evil;  and  if  ye  will  lay  hold  upon  every  good 
thing,  and  condemn  it  not,  ye  certainly  will  be  a  child  of 
Christ. 

19  And  now,  my  brethren,  how  is  it  possible  that  ye  can 
lay  hold  upon  every  good  thing? 

20  And  now  I  come  to  that  faith,  of  which  I  said  I  would 
speak;  and  I  will  tell  you  the  way  whereby  ye  may  lay  hold 
on  every  good  thing. 

21  For  behold,  God  knowing  all  things,  being  from  ever- 
lasting to  everlasting,  behold  he  sent  angels  to  minister  unto 
the  children  of  men,  to  make  manifest  concerning  the  coming 
of  Christ;  and  in  Christ  there  should  come  every  good  thing. 

22  And  God  also  declared  unto  prophets  by  his  own  mouth, 
that  Christ  should  come. 

23  And  behold,  there  were  divers  ways  that  he  did  mani- 
fest things  unto  the  children  of  men,  which  were  good;  and 
all  things  which  are  good,  cometh  of  Christ,  otherwise  men 
were  fallen,  and  there  could  no  good  thing  come  unto  them. 

24  Wherefore,  by  the  ministering  of  angels,  and  by  every 
word  which  proceedeth  forth  out  of  the  mouth  of  God,  men 
began  to  exercise  faith  in  Christ;  and  thus  by  faith,  they  did 
lay  hold  upon  every  good  thing;  and  thus  it  was  until  the 
coming  of  Christ. 

25  And  after  that  he  came,  men  also  were  saved  by  faith 
in  his  name;  and  by  faith,  they  become  the  sons  of  God. 


766  BOOK    OF    MORONI.  [chap.  7. 

26  And  as  sure  as  Christ  liveth,  he  spake  these  words  unto 
our  fathers,  saying,  Whatsoever  thing  ye  shall  ask  the  Father 
in  my  name,  which  is  good,  in  faith  believing  that  ye  shall 
receive,  behold  it  shall  be  done  unto  you. 

27  Wherefore,  my  beloved  brethren,  hath  miracles  ceased, 
because  Christ  hath  ascended  into  heaven,  and  hath  set  down 
on  the  right  hand  of  God,  to  claim  of  the  Father  his  rights 
of  mercy  which  he  hath  upon  the  children  of  men; 

28  For  he  hath  answered  the  ends  of  the  law,  and  he 
claimeth  all  those  who  have  faith  in  him;  and  they  who  have 
faith  in  him,  will  cleave  unto  every  good  thing;  wherefore  he 
advocateth  the  cause  of  the  children  of  men;  and  he  dwelleth 
eternally  in  the  heavens? 

29  And  because  he  hath  done  this,  my  beloved  brethren, 
hath  miracles  ceased? 

30  Behold,  I  say  unto  you,  Nay;  neither  have  angels  ceased 
to  minister  unto  the  children  of  men. 

31  For  behold,  they  are  subject  unto  him,  to  minister  ac- 
cording to  the  word  of  his  command,  shewing  themselves  unto 
them  of  strong  faith  and  a  firm  mind,  in  every  form  of  god- 
liness. 

32  And  the  office  of  their  ministry  is,  to  call  men  unto  re- 
pentance, and  to  fulfill  and  to  do  the  work  of  the  covenants 
of  the  Father  which  he  hath  made  unto  the  children  of  men, 
to  prepare  the  way  among  the  children  of  men,  by  declaring 
the  word  of  Christ  unto  the  chosen  vessels  of  the  Lord,  that 
they  may  bear  testimony  of  him; 

33  And  by  so  doing,  the  Lord  God  prepareth  the  way  that 
the  residue  of  men  may  have  faith  in  Christ,  that  the  Holy 
Ghost  may  have  place  in  their  hearts,  according  to  the  power 
thereof ; 

34  And  after  this  manner  bringeth  to  pass  the  Father  the 
covenants  which  he  hath  made  unto  the  children  of  men. 

35  And  Christ  hath  said.  If  ye  will  have  faith  in  me,  ye 
shall  have  power  to  do  whatsoever  thing  is  expedient  in  me. 

36  And  he  hath  said,  Repent  all  ye  ends  of  the  earth,  and 
come  unto  me  and  be  baptized  in  my  name,  and  have  faith  in 
me,  that  ye  may  be  saved. 


CHAP.  7.]  BOOK    OF    MORONI.  767 

37  IJAnd  now  my  beloved  brethren,  if  this  be  the  case  that 
these  things  are  true  which  I  have  spoken  unto  you,  and  God 
will  shew  unto  you  with  power  and  great  glory  at  the  last 
day,  that  they  are  true;  and  if  they  are  true,  has  the  day  of 
miracles  ceased? 

38  Or  have  angels  ceased  to  appear  unto  the  children  of 
men? 

39  Or  has  he  withheld  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost  from 
them? 

40  Or  will  he,  so  long  as  time  shall  last,  or  the  earth  shall 
stand,  or  there  shall  be  one  man  upon  the  face  thereof  to  be 
saved? 

41  Behold  I  say  unto  you,  Nay,  for  it  is  by  faith  that  mira- 
cles are  wrought;  and  it  is  by  faith  that  angels  appear  and 
minister  unto  men; 

42  Wherefore  if  these  things  have  ceased,  wo  be  unto  the 
children  of  men,  for  it  is  because  of  unbelief,  and  all  is  vain; 
for  no  man  can  be  saved,  according  to  the  words  of  Christ, 
save  they  shall  have  faith  in  his  name; 

43  Wherefore,  if  these  things  have  ceased,  then  has  faith 
ceased  also;  and  awful  is  the  state  of  man:  for  they  are  as 
though  there  had  been  no  redemption  made. 

44  But  behold,  my  beloved  brethren,  I  judge  better  things 
of  you,  for  I  judge  that  ye  have  faith  in  Christ  because  of 
your  meekness;  for  if  ye  have  not  faith  in  him,  then  ye  are 
not  fit  to  be  numbered  among  the  people  of  his  church. 

45  And  again  my  beloved  brethren,  I  would  speak  unto  you 
concerning  hope. 

46  How  is  it  that  ye  can  attain  unto  faith,  save  ye  shall 
have  hope?     And  what  is  it  that  ye  shall  hope  for? 

47  Behold  I  say  unto  you,  that  ye  shall  have  hope  through 
the  atonement  of  Christ  and  the  power  of  his  resurrection,  to 
be  raised  unto  life  eternal;  and  this  because  of  your  faith  in 
him  according  to  the  promise; 

48  Wherefore,  if  a  man  have  faith,  he  must  needs  have 
hope;  for  without  faith  there  can  not  be  any  hope. 

49  And  again,  behold  I  say  unto  you,  that  he  can  not  have 
faith  and  hope,  save  he  shall  be  meek  and  lowly  of  heart;  if 


768  BOOK    OF    MORONI.  [chap.  8. 

so,  his  faith  and  hope  is  vain,  for  none  is  acceptable  before 
God,  save  the  meek  and  lowly  of  heart; 

50  And  if  a  man  be  meek  and  lowly  in  heart,  and  confesses 
by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ,  he 
must  needs  have  charity;  for  if  he  have  not  charity,  he  is 
nothing;  wherefore  he  must  needs  have  charity. 

51  And  charity  suffereth  long,  and  is  kind,  and  envieth  not, 
and  is  not  puffed  up,  seeketh  not  her  own,  is  not  easily  pro- 
voked, thinketh  no  evil,  and  rejoiceth  not  in  iniquity,  but  re- 
joiceth  in  the  truth,  beareth  all  things,  believeth  all  things, 
hopeth  all  things;  endureth  all  things;  wherefore,  my  be- 
loved brethren,  if  ye  have  not  charity,  ye  are  nothing,  for 
cnarity  never  faileth. 

52  Wherefore,  cleave  unto  charity,  which  is  the  greatest  of 
all,  for  all  things  must  fail;  but  charity  is  the  pure  love  of 
Christ,  and  it  endureth  for  ever;  and  whoso  is  found  pos- 
sessed of  it  at  the  last  day,  it  shall  be  well  with  them. 

53  Wherefore,  my  beloved  brethren,  pray  unto  the  Father 
with  all  the  energy  of  heart,  that  ye  may  be  filled  with  this 
love  which  he  hath  bestowed  upon  all  who  are  true  followers 
01  his  Son  Jesus  Christ,  that  ye  may  become  the  sons  of  God, 
that  when  he  shall  appear,  we  shall  be  like  him;  for  we  shall 
see  him  as  he  is,  that  we  may  have  this  hope,  that  we  may 
be  purified  even  as  he  is  pure.     Amen. 


CHAPTER  8. 

1  ^An  epistle  of  my  father  Mormon,  written  to  me,  Moroni : 
and  it  was  written  unto  me  soon  after  my  calling  to  the  min- 
istry. 

2  And  on  this  wise  did  he  write  unto  me,  saying,  My  be- 
loved son,  Moroni,  I  rejoice  exceedingly  that  your  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  hath  been  mindful  of  you,  and  hath  called  you  to  his 
ministry,  and  to  his  holy  work. 

3  I  am  mindful  of  you  always  in  my  prayers,  continually 
praying  unto  God  the  Father,  in  the  name  of  his  holy  child, 
Jesus,  that  he,  through  his  infinite  goodness  and  grace,  will 


CHAP.  8.]  BOOK    OF    MORONI.  769 

keep  you  through  the  endurance  of  faith  on  his  name  to  the 
end. 

4  ^And  now  my  son  I  speak  unto  you  concerning  that 
which  grieveth  me  exceedingly;  for  it  grieveth  me  that  there 
should  disputations  rise  among  you. 

5  For  if  I  have  learned  the  truth,  there  has  been  disputa- 
tions among  you  concerning  the  baptism  of  your  little  chil- 
dren. 

6  And  now  my  son,  I  desire  that  ye  should  labor  diligently, 
that  this  gross  error  should  be  removed  from  among  you; 
for,  for  this  intent  I  have  written  this  epistle. 

7  For  immediately  after  I  had  learned  these  things  of  you, 
I  inquired  of  the  Lord  concerning  the  matter. 

8  And  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  to  me  by  the  power  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  saying,  Listen  to  the  words  of  Christ,  your 
Redeemer,  your  Lord,  and  your  God. 

9  Behold,  I  came  into  the  world  not  to  call  the  righteous, 
but  sinners  to  repentance;  the  whole  need  no  physician,  but 
tney  that  are  sick;  wherefore  little  children  are  whole,  for 
they  are  not  capable  of  committing  sin;  wherefore  the  curse 
of  Adam  is  taken  from  them  in  me,  that  it  hath  no  power 
over  them;  and  the  law  of  circumcision  is  done  away  in  me. 

10  And  after  this  manner  did  the  Holy  Ghost  manifest  the 
word  of  God  unto  me;  wherefore  my  beloved  son,  I  know  that 
it  is  solemn  mockery  before  God,  that  ye  should  baptize  little 
children. 

11  Behold  I  say  unto  you,  that  this  thing  shall  ye  teach, 
repentance  and  baptism  unto  those  who  are  accountable  and 
capable  of  committing  sin;  yea,  teach  parents  that  they  must 
repent  and  be  baptized,  and  humble  themselves  as  their  little 
children,  and  they  shall  all  be  saved  with  their  little  children : 
and  their  little  children  need  no  repentance,  neither  baptism. 

12  Behold,  baptism  is  unto  repentance  to  the  fulfilling  the 
commandments  unto  the  remission  of  sins. 

13  But  little  children  are  alive  in  Christ,  even  from  the 
foundation  of  the  world;  if  not  so,  God  is  a  partial  God,  and 
also  a  changeable  God,  and  a  respecter  to  persons;  for  how 
many  little  children  have  died  without  baptism. 


770  BOOK    OF    MORONI.  [chap.  8. 

14  Wherefore,  if  little  children  could  not  be  saved  with- 
out baptism,  these  must  have  gone  to  an  endless  hell. 

15  Behold  I  say  unto  you,  that  he  that  supposeth  that  lit- 
tle children  need  baptism,  is  in  the  gall  of  bitterness,  and  in 
tne  bonds  of  iniquity;  for  he  hath  neither  faith,  hope,  nor 
charity;  wherefore,  should  he  be  cut  off  while  in  the  thought, 
he  must  go  down  to  hell. 

16  For  awful  is  the  wickedness  to  suppose  that  God  saveth 
one  child  because  of  baptism,  and  the  other  must  perish  be- 
cause he  hath  no  baptism. 

17  Wo  be  unto  him  that  shall  pervert  the  ways  of  the  Lord 
after  this  manner,  for  they  shall  perish,  except  they  repent. 

18  Behold,  I  speak  with  boldness,  having  authority  from 
God;  and  I  fear  not  what  man  can  do;  for  perfect  love  cast- 
eth  out  all  fear;  and  I  am  filled  with  charity,  which  is  ever- 
lasting love;  wherefore  all  children  are  alike  unto  me;  where- 
fore I  love  little  children  v/ith  a  perfect  love ;  and  they  are  all 
alike,  and  partakers  of  salvation. 

19  For  I  know  that  God  is  not  a  partial  God,  neither  a 
changeable  being;  but  he  is  unchangeable  from  all  eternity 
to  all  eternity. 

20  Little  children  can  not  repent;  wherefore  it  is  awful 
wickedness  to  deny  the  pure  mercies  of  God  unto  them,  for 
they  are  all  alive  in  him  because  of  his  mercy. 

21  And  he  that  saith  that  little  children  need  baptism,  de- 
nieth  the  mercies  of  Christ,  and  setteth  at  naught  the  atone- 
ment of  him  and  the  power  of  his  redemption. 

22  Wo  unto  such,  for  they  are  in  danger  of  death,  hell,  and 
an  endless  torment. 

23  I  speak  it  boldly,  God  hath  commanded  me. 

24  Listen  unto  them  and  give  heed,  or  they  stand  against 
you  at  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ. 

25  For  behold  that  all  little  children  are  alive  in  Christ, 
and  also  all  they  that  are  without  the  law. 

26  For  the  power  of  redemption  cometh  on  all  they  that 
have  no  law;  wherefore,  he  that  is  not  condemned,  or  he  that 
is  under  no  condemnation,  can  not  repent;  and  unto  such 
baptism  availeth  nothing. 


CHAP.  9.]  BOOK    OF    MORONI.  771 

27  But  it  is  mockery  before  God,  denying  the  mercies  of 
Christ,  and  the  power  of  his  Holy  Spirit,  and  putting  trust 
in  dead  works. 

28  Behold,  my  son,  this  thing  ought  not  to  be;  for  repent- 
ance is  unto  them  that  are  under  condemnation,  and  under 
the  curse  of  a  broken  law. 

29  And  the  first-fruits  of  repentance  is  baptism;  and  bap- 
tism cometh  by  faith,  unto  the  fulfilling  the  commandments; 
and  the  fulfilling  the  commandments  bringeth  remission  of 
sins;  and  the  remission  of  sins  bringeth  meekness,  and  lowli- 
ness of  heart;  and  because  of  meekness  and  lowliness  of 
heart,  cometh  the  visitation  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  Com- 
forter filleth  with  hope  and  perfect  love,  which  love  endureth 
by  diligence  unto  prayer,  until  the  end  shall  come,  when  all 
the  saints  shall  dwell  with  God. 

30  Behold,  my  son,  I  will  write  unto  you  again  if  I  go  not 
out  soon  against  the  Lamanites. 

31  Behold,  the  pride  of  this  nation,  or  the  people  of  the 
Nephites,  hath  proven  their  destruction,  except  they  should 
repent. 

32  Pray  for  them,  my  son,  that  repentance  may  come  unto 
them. 

33  But  behold,  I  fear  lest  the  Spirit  hath  ceased  striving 
with  them;  and  in  this  part  of  the  land  they  are  also  seeking 
to  put  down  all  power  and  authority,  which  cometh  from  God; 
and  they  are  denying  the  Holy  Ghost. 

34  And  after  rejecting  so  great  a  knowledge,  my  son,  they 
must  perish  soon,  unto  the  fulfilling  of  the  prophecies  which 
were  spoken  by  the  prophets,  as  well  as  the  words  of  our 
Savior  himself. 

35  Farewell,  my  son,  until  I  shall  write  unto  you,  or  shall 
meet  you  again.     Amen. 


CHAPTER  9. 

The  Second  Epistle  of  Mormon  to  his  son  Moroni. 
1  ^My  beloved  son,  I  write  unto  you  again,  that  ye  may 
know  that  I  am  yet  alive,  but  I  write  somewhat  that  which  is 
grievous. 


772  BOOK    OF    MORONI.  [chap.  9. 

2  For  behold,  I  have  had  a  sore  battle  with  the  Lamanites, 
in  which  we  did  not  conquer;  and  Archeantus  has  fallen  by 
the  sword,  and  also  Luram  and  Emron;  yea,  and  we  have 
lost  a  great  number  of  our  choice  men. 

3  And  now  behold,  my  son,  I  fear  lest  the  Lamanites  shall 
destroy  this  people,  for  they  do  not  repent,  and  Satan  stirreth 
them  up  continually  to  anger,  one  with  another. 

4  Behold,  I  am  laboring  with  them  continually;  and  when 
I  speak  the  word  of  God  with  sharpness,  they  tremble  and 
anger  against  me;  and  when  I  use  no  sharpness,  they  harden 
their  hearts  against  it;  wherefore  I  fear  lest  the  Spirit  of 
the  Lord  hath  ceased  striving  with  them. 

5  For  so  exceedingly  do  they  anger,  that  it  seemeth  me 
that  they  have  no  fear  of  death;  and  they  have  lost  their 
love,  one  towards  another;  and  they  thirst  after  blood  and 
revenge  continually. 

6  And  now  my  beloved  son,  notwithstanding  their  hardness, 
let  us  labor  diligently;  for  if  we  should  cease  to  labor,  we 
should  be  brought  under  condemnation;  for  we  have  a  labor 
to  perform  whilst  in  this  tabernacle  of  clay,  that  we  may 
conquer  the  enemy  of  all  righteousness,  and  rest  our  souls  in 
the  kingdom  of  God. 

7  ^And  now  I  write  somewhat  concerning  the  sufferings  of 
this  people. 

8  For  according  to  the  knowledge  which  I  have  received 
from  Amoron,  behold,  the  Lamanites  have  many  prisoners, 
which  they  took  from  the  tower  of  Sherrizah;  and  there  were 
men,  women  and  children. 

9  And  the  husbands  and  fathers  of  those  women  and  chil- 
dren they  have  slain;  and  they  feed  the  women  upon  the 
flesh  of  their  husbands,  and  the  children  upon  the  fleSh  of 
their  fathers;  and  no  water,  save  a  little,  do  they  give  unto 
them. 

10  And  notwithstanding  this  great  abomination  of  the  La-, 
manites,  it  doth  not  exceed  that  of  our  people  in  Moriantum. 

11  For  behold,  many  of  the  daughters  of  the  Lamanites 
have  they  taken  prisoners:  and  after  depriving  them  of  that 
which  was  most  dear  and  precious  above  all  things,  which  is 


CHAP.  9.]  BOOK    OF    MORONI.  778' 

chastity  and  virtue;  and  after  they  had  done  this  thing, 
they  did  murder  them  in  a  most  cruel  manner,  torturing  their 
bodies  even  unto  death;  and  after  they  have  done  this,  they 
devour  their  flesh  like  unto  wild  beasts,  because  of  the  hard- 
ness of  their  hearts;  and  they  do  it  for  a  token  of  bravery. 

12  O  my  beloved  son,  how  can  a  people  like  this,  that  are 
without  civilization;  (and  only  a  few  years  have  passed  away, 
and  they  were  a  civil  and  a  delightsome  people;)  but  O  my 
son,  how  can  a  people  like  this,  whose  delight  is  in  so  much 
abomination,  how  can  we  expect  that  God  will  stay  his  hand 
in  judgment  against  us? 

13  Behold,  my  heart  cries,  Wo  unto  this  people. 

14  Come  out  in  judgment,  O  God,  and  hide  their  sins,  and 
wickedness,  and  abominations  from  before  thy  face. 

15  And  again,  my  son,  there  are  many  widows  and  their 
daughters  who  remain  in  Sherrizah;  and  that  part  of  the 
provisions  which  the  Lamanites  did  not  carry  away,  behold, 
the  army  of  Zenephi  has  carried  away,  and  left  them  to  wan- 
der whithersoever  they  can  for  food;  and  many  old  women  do 
faint  by  the  way  and  die. 

16  And  the  army  which  is  with  me,  is  weak ;  and  the  armies 
of  the  Lamanites  are  betwixt  Sherrizah  ^nd  me;  and  as  many 
as  have  fled  to  the  army  of  Aaron,  have  fallen  victims  to  their 
awful  brutality. 

17  O  the  depravity  of  my  people!  they  are  without  order 
and  without  mercy. 

18  Behold,  I  am  but  a  man,  and  I  have  but  the  strength  of 
a  man,  and  I  can  not  any  longer  enforce  my  commands;  and 
they  have  become  strong  in  their  perversion; 

19  And  they  are  alike  brutal,  sparing  none,  neither  old 
nor  young;  and  they  delight  in  everything  save  that  which  is 
good;  and  the  sufferings  of  our  women  and  our  children  upon 
all  the  face  of  this  land,  doth  exceed  everything;  yea,  tongue 
can  not  tell,  neither  can  it  be  written. 

20  And  now  my  son,  I  dwell  no  longer  upon  this  horrible 
scene. 

21  Behold,  thou  knowest  the  wickedness  of  this  people; 
thou  knowest  that  they  are  without  principle,  and  past  feel- 


774  BOOK    OF    MORONI.  [chap.  10. 

ing;  and  their  wickedness  doth  exceed  that  of  the  Lamanites. 

22  Behold,  my  son,  I  can  not  recommend  them  unto  God 
lest  he  should  smite  me. 

23  But  behold,  my  son,  I  recommend  thee  unto  God,  and  I 
trust  in  Christ  that  thou  wilt  be  saved;  and  I  pray  unto  God 
that  he  would  spare  thy  life,  to  witness  the  return  of  his 
people  unto  him,  or  their  utter  destruction; 

24  For  I  know  that  they  must  perish,  except  they  repent 
and  return  unto  him;  and  if  they  perish  it  will  be  like  unto 
the  Jaredites,  because  of  the  willfulness  of  their  hearts,  seek- 
ing for  blood  and  revenge. 

25  And  if  it  so  be  that  they  perish,  we  know  that  many  of 
our  brethren  have  dissented  over  unto  the  Lamanites,  and 
many  more  will  also  dissent  over  unto  them; 

26  Wherefore,  write  somewhat  a  fev/  things,  if  thou  art 
spared;  and  I  should  perish  and  not  see  thee;  but  I  trust 
that  I  may  see  thee  soon;  for  I  have  sacred  records  that  I 
would  deliver  up  unto  thee. 

27  My  son,  be  faithful  in  Christ;  and  may  not  the  things 
which  I  have  written,  grieve  thee,  to  weigh  thee  down  unto 
death,  but  may  Christ  lift  thee  up,  and  may  his  sufferings  and 
death,  and  the  shewing  his  body  unto  our  fathers,  and  his 
mercy  and  long  suffering,  and  the  hope  of  his  glory,  and  of 
eternal  life,  rest  in  your  mind  for  ever. 

28  And  may  the  grace  of  God  the  Father,  whose  throne  is 
high  in  the  heavens,  and  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  sitteth 
on  the  right  hand  of  his  power,  until  all  things  shall  become 
subject  unto  him,  be,  and  abide  with  you  for  ever.    Amen; 


CHAPTER  10. 

1  IJNow  Ij  Moroni,  write  somewhat  as  seemeth  me  good; 
and  I  write  unto  my  brethren  the  Lamanites,  and  I  would 
that  they  should  know  that  more  than  four  hundred  and 
twenty  years  have  passed  away,  since  the  sign  was  given  of 
the  coming  of  Christ. 

2  And  I  seal  up  these  records,  after  I  have  spoken  a  few 
words  by  way  of  exhortation  unto  you. 


CHAP.  10.]  BOOK    OF    MORONI.  775 

3  Behold,  I  would  exhort  you  that  when  ye  shall  read  these 
things,  if  it  be  wisdom  in  God  that  ye  should  read  them,  that 
ye  would  remember  how  merciful  the  Lord  hath  been  unto  the 
children  of  men,  from  the  creation  of  Adam,  even  down  until 
the  time  that  ye  shall  receive  these  things,  and  ponder  it  in 
your  hearts. 

4  And  when  ye  shall  receive  these  things,  I  would  exhort 
you  that  ye  would  ask  God,  the  eternal  Father,  in  the  name 
of  Christ,  if  these  things  are  not  true; 

5  And  if  ye  shall  ask  with  a  sincere  heart,  with  real  intent, 
having  faith  in  Christ,  he  will  manifest  the  truth  of  it  unto 
you,  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost;  and  by  the  power  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  ye  may  know  the  truth  of  all  things. 

6  And  whatsoever  thing  is  good,  is  just  and  true;  where- 
fore, nothing  that  is  good  denieth  the  Christ,  but  acknowl- 
edgeth  that  he  is. 

7  And  ye  may  know  that  he  is,  by  the  power  of  the  Holy 
Ghost;  wherefore  I  would  exhort  you,  that  ye  deny  not  the 
power  of  God ;  for  he  worketh  by  power,  according  to  the  faith 
of  the  children  of  men,  the  same  to-day  and  to-morrow,  and 
for  ever. 

8  And  again  I  exhort  you,  my  brethren,  that  ye  deny  not 
the  gifts  of  God,  for  they  are  many;  and  they  come  from  the 
same  God. 

9  And  there  are  different  ways  that  these  gifts  are  ad- 
ministered; but  it  is  the  same  God  who  worketh  all  in  all;  and 
they  are  given  by  the  manifestations  of  the  Spirit  of  God 
unto  men,  to  profit  them. 

10  For  behold,  to  one  is  given  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  that  he 
may  teach  the  word  of  wisdom;  and  to  another,  that  he  may 
teach  the  word  of  knowledge  by  the  same  Spirit;  and  to 
another  exceeding  great  faith;  and  to  another,  the  gifts  of 
healing  by  the  same  Spirit. 

11  And  again,  to  another,  that  he  may  work  mighty  mira- 
cles; and  again,  to  another,  that  he  may  prophesy  concerning 
all  things;  and  again,  to  another,  the  beholding  of  angels  and 
ministering    spirits;    and    again,    to    another,    all    kinds    of 


776  BOOK    OF    MORONI.  [chap.  10. 

tongues;    and   again,  to  another,   the   interpretation  of  lan- 
guages and  of  divers  kinds  of  tongues. 

12  And  all  these  gifts  come  by  the  Spirit  of  Christ;  and 
they  come  unto  every  man  severally,  according  as  he  will. 

13  And  I  would  exhort  you  my  beloved  brethren,  that  ye 
remember  that  every  good  gift  cometh  of  Christ. 

14  And  I  would  exhort  you,  my  beloved  brethren,  that  ye 
remember  that  he  is  the  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever, 
and  that  all  these  gifts  of  which  I  have  spoken,  which  are 
spiritual,  never  will  be  done  away,  even  as  long  as  the  world  . 
shall  stand,  only  according  to  the  unbelief  of  the  children  of 
men. 

15  Wherefore,  there  must  be  faith;  and  if  there  must  be 
faith,  there  must  also  be  hope;  and  if  there  must  be  hope, 
there  must  also  be  charity;  and  except  ye  have  charity,  ye 
can  in  no  wise  be  saved  in  the  kingdom  of  God; 

16  Neither  can  ye  be  saved  in  the  kingdom  of  God,  if  ye 
have  not  faith;  neither  can  ye  if  ye  have  no  hope;  and  if  ye 
have  no  hope,  ye  must  needs  be  in  despair;  and  despair  com- 
eth because  of  iniquity. 

17  And  Christ  truly  said  unto  our  fathers,  If  ye  have  faith, 
ye  can  do  all  things  which  is  expedient  unto  me. 

18  And  now  I  speak  unto  all  the  ends  of  the  earth,  that 
if  the  day  cometh  that  the  power  and  gifts  of  God  shall  be 
done  away  among  you,  it  shall  be  because  of  unbelief. 

19  And  wo  be  unto  the  children  of  men,  if  this  be  the  case; 
for  there  shall  be  none  that  doeth  good  among  you,  no  not  one. 

20  For  if  there  be  one  among  you  that  doeth  good,  he  shall 
work  by  the  power  and  gifts  of  God. 

21  And  wo  unto  them  who  shall  do  these  things  away  and 
die,  for  they  die  in  their  sins,  and  they  can  not  be  saved  in  the 
kingdom  of  God;  and  I  speak  it  according  to  the  words  of 
Christ,  and  I  lie  not. 

22  And  I  exhort  you  to  remember  these  things;  for  the 
time  speedily  cometh  that  ye  shall  know  that  I  lie  not,  for  ye 
shall  see  me  at  the  bar  of  God,  and  the  Lord  God  will  say 
unto  you.  Did  I  not  declare  my  words  unto  you,  which  were 
written  by  this  man,  like  as  one  crying  from  the  dead? 


CHAP.  10.]  ,      BOOK    OF    MORONI.  777 

23  Yea,  even  as  one  speaking  out  of  the  dust? 

24  I  declare  these  things  unto  the  fulfilling  of  the  prophe- 
cies. 

25  And  behold,  they  shall  proceed  forth  out  of  the  mouth 
of  the  everlasting  God;  and  his  word  shall  hiss  forth  from 
generation  to  generation. 

26  And  God  shall  shew  unto  you,  that  that  which  I  have 
written  is  true. 

27  And  again  I  would  exhort  you,  that  ye  would  come  unto 
Christ,  and  lay  hold  upon  every  good  gift  and  touch  not  the 
evil  gift,  nor  the  unclean  thing. 

28  And  awake,  and  arise  from  the  dust,  O  Jerusalem;  yea, 
and  put  on  thy  beautiful  garments,  O  daughter  of  Zion, 
and  strengthen  thy  stakes,  and  enlarge  thy  borders  for  ever, 
that  thou  mayest  no  more  be  confounded,  that  the  covenants 
of  the  eternal  Father  which  he  hath  made  unto  thee,  O  house 
of  Israel,  may  be  fulfilled. 

29  Yea,  come  unto  Christ,  and  be  perfected  in  him,  and 
deny  yourselves  of  all  ungodliness,  and  if  ye  shall  deny  your- 
selves of  all  ungodliness,  and  love  God  with  all  your  might, 
mind  and  strength,  then  is  his  grace  sufficient  for  you,  that 
by  his  grace  ye  may  be  perfect  in  Christ;  and  if  by  the  grace 
of  God  ye  are  perfect  in  Christ,  ye  can  in  no  wise  deny  the 
power  of  God. 

30  And  again,  if  ye,  by  the  grace  of  God,  are  perfect  in 
Christ,  and  deny  not  his  power,  then  are  ye  sanctified  in 
Christ  by  the  grace  of  God,  through  the  shedding  of  the  blood 
of  Christ,  which  is  in  the  covenant  of  the  Father,  unto  the 
remission  of  your  sins,  that  ye  become  holy  without  spot. 

31  And  now  I  bid  unto  all,  farewell.  I  soon  go  to  rest  in 
the  paradise  of  God,  until  my  spirit  and  body  shall  again  re- 
unite, and  I  am  brought  forth  triumphant  through  the  air,  to 
meet  you  before  the  pleasing  bar  of  the  great  Jehovah,  the 
eternal  Judge  of  both  quick  and  dead.     Amen. 

THE  END. 


Index. 

Aaron,   city   of,   327,   486. 

Aaron,  descendant  of  Heth,  714  ;  dwells  in  captivity,  743. 

Aaron,  king  of  Lamanites,  690 ;  defeated  by  army  of  Moroni,  690 ; 
brutality  of  army  of,  773. 

Aaron,  son  of  Mosiah,  289  ;  teaches  people  of  Zarahemla,  289  ;  refuses 
kingdom,  292  ;  in  prison  at  Middoni,  877,  382  ;  released  from  prison, 
380,  382 ;  goes  to  Jerusalem,  381  ;  teaches  atonement,  381,  385  ; 
goes  to  Ani-Anti,  382 ;  goes  to  Middoni,  382 ;  goes  to  land  of 
Nephi,  383  ;  account  of,  388  ;  and  brethren  establish  churches,  389  ; 
rejoices,  397  ;  rebukes  Ammon,  398 ;  rejoices  in  meeting  Alma, 
403 ;  goes  with  Alma  to  Zoramites,  417  ;  goes  to  Jershon,  432 ; 
returns  to   Zarahemla,   433. 

Abinadi,  prophesies  to  people  of  Noah,  241,  243,  254,  257  ;  brought 
bound  before  Noah,  244  ;.  cast  into  prison,  244,  256  ;  ten  command- 
ments quoted  by,  247 ;  Isaiah  quoted  by,  245,  254 ;  prophesies  of 
Christ,  251  ;  condemned  to  death  by  Noah,  256 ;  suffers  death  by 
Are,  257  ;  words  of.  Alma  blessed  because  of  faith  in,  283  ;  words 
of  fulfilled,  396,  689. 

Abinadom,  200. 

Abish,  conversion  of,  374  ;  raises  queen,  376. 

Ablom,   Omer  pitches  tent   at,   735. 

Abomination,   of   Lamanites  and   Nephites,   772. 

Abraham,  kindreds  of  earth  blessed  through,  45 ;  seed  of  to  rejoice 
in  Lord,  152 ;  covenant  with,  158 ;  counted  to  be  obedient,  175 ; 
tithes  paid  by,  350. 

Abridgment   of   record   of   Mormon,   699. 

Account  of  Nephi,  3. 

Adam  and   Eve,   plates  of  brass  contain  account   of.   15. 

Adam,  and  tree  of  life,  452  ;  cut  off  from  presence  of  God,  452  ;  fall 
of  man  through,  710. 

Agosh,  Lib  pursues  Coriantumr  to  plains  of,  754  ;  gives  battle  to  Lib, 
slays  Lib,  754. 

Aha,  son  of  Zoram,  359. 

Ahah,  son  of  Seth,  714  ;  becomes  king,  744. 

Akish,  son  of  Kimnor,  733 ;  daughter  of  Jared  dances  before,  733 ; 
swears  kinsfolks  of  Jared,  733 ;  oaths  administered  by,  733  ;  over- 
throws kingdom  of  Omer,  735 ;  marries  daughter  of  Jared,  736 ; 
seeks  life  of  Jared,  736 ;  obtains  kingdom,  736 ;  causes  death  of 
son,  736  ;  war  between  and  sons,  736. 

Akish,  wilderness  of,  Coriantumr  pursues  brother  of  Shared  to,  753  ; 
army   of  Coriantumr  flees  to,   754. 

All   things  common,  among  disciples  of  Christ,  672.  682. 

Alma,  believes  words  of  Abinadi,  256  ;  cast  out,  life  sought  by  Noah, 
256  ;  teaches  words  of  Abinadi,  258  ;  flees  to  place  of  Mormon,  258  ; 
baptizes,  259 ;  ordains  priests,  260 ;  teachings,  260 ;  discovered  by 
King  Noah.  261  ;  departs  into  wilderness,  261,  273  ;  declines  to  be 
king,   273  ;  teachings  of,  274  ;   high   priest.   274  ;  consecrates  priests 


780  BOOK    OF    MORMON. 

and  teachers,  274 ;  people  of  surrender  to  Lamanites,  275 ;  and 
people  oppressed  by  Amulon  and  people,  277 ;  and  people  gather 
flocks,  278  ;  depart  into  wilderness,  278  ;  valley  of,  279  ;  and  people 
arrive  at  Zarahemla,  279  ;  records  of  read  by  Mosiah,  279  ;  preaches 
to  people  of  Nephi,  280  ;  baptizes  people  of  Limhi,  281 ;  permitted 
to  establish  churches,  281 ;  dissenters  brought  before,  282 ;  given 
authority  over  church  by  Mosiah,  282,  283  ;  receives  direction  from 
the  Lord,  283 ;  regulates  all  affairs  of  church,  285 ;  church  com- 
plains to,  285 ;  son  of,  an  unbeliever,  286 ;  appoints  son  high 
priest,  297  ;  dies,  297  ;  age  of,  298  ;  founder  of  church,  298. 
Alma,  son  of  Alma,  286  ;  seeks  to  destroy  church,  286  ;  angel  appears 
to,  286  ;  becomes  dumb,  287  ;  explains  his  conversion,  288  ;  teaches 
people,  289  ;  receives  plates,  records,  and  interpreters,  from  Mosiah, 
292  ;  to  keep  records,  292  ;  appointed  chief  judge,  297 ;  appointed 
high  priest  by  his  father,.  297  ;  Nehor  sentenced  by,  300  ;  head  of 
armies  of  Nephites,  304  ;  slays  Amlici,  306  ;  contends  with  king  of 
Lamanites,  306 ;  sends  army  to  repulse  Lamanites,  309 ;  baptizes 
in  Sidon,  310 ;  consecrates  elders,  priests,  and  teachers,  311  ; 
appoints  man  to  enact  laws  by  voice  of  people,  312 ;  surrenders 
chief  judgeship,  retains  office  of  high  priest,  312  ;  delivers  word  of 
Lord  in  land  of  Zarahemla,  313  ;  recites  history  of  people  of  Zara- 
hemla, 313 ;  ordains  priests  and  elders,  321  ;  regulates  church  hi 
Zarahemla,  321  ;  goes  to  valley  of  Gideon,  322  ;  address  to  people 
of  Gideon,  322 ;  teaches  baptism,  324 ;  teaches  faith,  326 ;  estab- 
lishes order  of  church  in  Gideon,  326  ;  returns  to  Zarahemla,  326  ; 
teaches  people  of  Melek,  326  ;  baptizes  at  Melek,  327  ;  preaches  at 
Ammonihah,  327,  330 ;  angel  commands  return  of  to  Ammonihah, 
328 ;  meets  Amulek,  328  ;  people  of  Ammonihah  angry  with,  334 ; 
speaks  to  Zeezrom  and  people,  343 ;  questioned  by  Antionah,  345  ; 
teaches  repentance,  351 ;  bound,  352  ;  smitten  by  chief  judge,  354  ; 
breaks  cords  which  bind,  356 ;  departs  from  Ammonihah,  goes  to 
Sidom,  356 ;  heals  Zeezrom,  357  ;  baptizes  Zeezrom,  358 ;  estab- 
lishes church,  consecrates  priests  and  teachers  at  Sidom,  358 ;  re- 
turns to  Zarahemla,  358 ;  preaches  repentance,  360 ;  journeys 
from  Gideon  toward  Manti,  meets  sons  of  Mosiah,  362 ;  meets 
Ammon,  403;  joy  is  great,  403;  conducts  sons  of  Mosiah  to  Zara- 
hemla, 404 ;  visits  Anti-Nephi-Lehies,  404  ;  relates  uis  conversion, 
404  ;  Korihor  brought  before,  412  ;  testifies  of  Christ.  413  ;  preaches 
to  Zoramites,  417  ;  takes  sons  Shiblon  and  Corianton  to  Zoramites, 
417 ;  prayer  of,  419  ;  and  brethren  separate.  420  ;  teaches  upon  hill 
Onidah,  421  ;  preaches  to  poor  of  Onidah,  421  ;  goes  to  Jershon, 
432  ;  and  sons  and  brethren  return  to  Zarahemla,  433  ;  command- 
ment of  to  son  Helaman,  434,  443  ;  commandments  to  son  Shiblon, 
443 ;  commits  plates  to  Helaman,  437,  489 ;  angel  appears  to, 
444 ;  commandments  to  son  Corianton,  445 ;  explanations  concern- 
ing future  state  of  man,  448  ;  teaches  concerning  fall  and  restora- 
tion of  man,  452  ;  and  sons  go  forth  to  preach,  455  ;  word  of  Lord 
through  to  Moroni,  458 ;  end  of  record  of,  465  ;  visits  Helaman, 
460  ;  prophesies  sin  and  destruction  of  Nephites,  466  ;  blesses  sons, 
and    the    earth    for    the    righteous'    sake.    467 ;    blesses    the    church, 


INDEX.  781 

467 ;  departs  from  Zarahemla,  and  is  heard  of  no  more,  467  ;  say- 
ing of  church  concerning,  467. 
Altar,  built  by  Lehi,  5. 

Amaleki,  speaks  concerning  Mosiah,  20  ;  bom  in  days  of  Mosiah,  202  ; 
completes  writing  on  plates,  203  ;  delivers  plates  to  King  Benjamin, 
202,  205  ;  accompanies  Ammon  to  land  of  Nephi,  227. 
Amalekites,  and  others  build  city  of  Jerusalem,  381 ;  become  harder 
than  Lamanites,  381  ;  Aaron  preaches  to,  381  ;  after  order  of 
Nehors,  381  ;  but  one  converted,  390 ;  rebel  against  king  of  Anti- 
Nephi-Lehies,  394,  402  ;  appointed  chief  captains  of  Lamanites,  456 ; 
inspire   Lamanites  to   fight,   460. 

Amalickiah,  leader  of  opposition  to  Helaman,  468  ;  seeks  to  be  king, 
468  ;  supported  by  lower  judges,  468  ;  seeks  to  destroy  church  and 
liberty,  469  ;  departs  into  land  of  Nephi,  472  ;  headed  off  by  Moroni, 
472  ;  people  of  put  to  death  by  Moroni,  472  ;  stirs  up  Lamanites 
against  Nephites,  473  ;  given  command  of  army  of  Lamanites,  473  ; 
seeks  to  dethrone  king  of  Lamanites,  474 ;  confers  with  Lehonti, 
475  ;  army  of  surrounded  by  Lehonti,  475  ;  causes  death  of  Lehonti, 
475  ;  appointed  chief  commander  of  Lamanites,  475  ;  marches  army 
to  city  of  Nephi,  475  ;  servant  of  slays  king  of  Lamanites,  476 ; 
takes  possession  of  city  of  Nephi,  476 ;  summoned  by  queen  of 
Lamanites,  477 ;  marries  queen  of  Lamanites,  and  becomes  king, 
477  ;  inspires  Lamanites  against  Nephites,  478  ;  appoints  chief  cap- 
tains of  Zoramites,  478 ;  army  of  moves  toward  Zarahemla,  478 ; 
curses  God  and  Moroni,  484  ;  agaui  stirs  up  Lamanites,  491  ;  takes 
command  of  Lamanite  army,  491  ;  takes  city  of  Moroni,  493  ;  takes 
cities  of  Nephihah,  Lehi,  Morianton,  Omner,  Gid,  Mulek,  493 ; 
headed  and  defeated  by  Teancum,  493 ;  slain  by  Teancum,  494 ; 
brother  of  appointed  king  of  Lamanites,  495. 

Amalickiahites,  depart  for  land  of  Nephi,  472 ;  headed  by  armies  of 
Moroni,  472  ;  put  to  death  by  Moroni,  472 ;  army  of  surrendered 
to  Lehonti,  475  ;  astonished  at  preparations  of  Nephites,  482  ;  march 
to  land  of  Noah,  482. 

Amaron.  Omni  confers  plates  upon,  200  ;  writes  in  book  of  his  father, 
200  ;  delivers  plates  to  Chemish,  200. 

Amgid,  subdued  by  Com,  743. 

Aminadab,  teaches  Lamanites  to  repent,  560. 

Aminadi,  descendant  of  Nephi,  334. 

Amlici,  seeks  to  be  king,  303 ;  rejected  by  people,  303 ;  consecrated 
king,  303  ;  slain  by  Alma,  306. 

Amlicites,  304  ;  war  against  Nephites,  304  ;  join  with  Lamanites,  305  ; 
marked  in  foreheads,  307,  308. 

Ammah,  in  prison  at  Middoni,  377.  382 ;  released  from  prison,  380, 
382  ;  preaching  at  Ani-Anti,  382  ;  goes  to  Middoni,  382. 

Ammon,  descendant  of  Zarahemla,  227  ;  speaks  to  King  Limhi,  228 ; 
speaks  to  people  of  Limhi,  231 ;  reads  record  of  people  of  Limhi, 
231  ;   taken  by  King  Limhi,  269  ;   leads  people  of  Limhi,  272. 

Ammon,  son  of  Mosiah,  289  ;  teaches  people  of  Zarahemla,  289  ;  goes 
to  land  of  Ishmael,  364  ;  bound  by  Lamanites,  364  ;  becomes  serv- 
ant of  Lamoni,  365 ;  protects  flocks  of  king,  366  ;  teaches  King 
Lamoni.   370 ;   rehearses  history   of   Laman   and   Lemuel,   371  ;   falls 


782  BOOK    OF    MORMON. 

to  earth,  374 ;  Lamanite  attempts  to  slay,  375 ;  arises,  376 ;  for- 
bidden to  go  to  land  of  Nephi,  ;>77  ;  and  Lamoni  start  for  Middoni, 
377  ;  meets  father  of  Lamoni,  377  ;  smites  king  of  Lamanites,  379  ; 
secures  release  of  brethren,  380,  382  ;  returns  to  land  of  Ishmael, 
382  ;  teaches  people  of  Lamoni,  383  ;  account  of,  388  ;  and  brethren 
go  to  land  of  Ishmael,  391  ;  rejoices,  397  ;  addresses  brethren,  397  ; 
rebuked  by  Aaron,  398  ;  inquires  of  Lord,  403  ;  goes  to  Zarahemla, 
403  ;  meets  Alma,  403  ;  falls  because  of  joy,  403  ;  returns  to  Anti- 
Nephi-Lehies,  404 ;  people  of  numbered  with  church  of  God,  405  ; 
high  priest  over  people  of,  411  ;  Korihor  brought  before,  411  ;  goes 
with  Alma  to  Zoramites,  417 ;  goes  to  Jershon,  432 ;  Zoramites 
angry  with  people  of,  432  ;  people  of  depart  from  Jershon  for  Melek. 
433 ;  returns  to  Zarahemla,  433 ;  people  of  defended  by  Nephites, 
457  ;  gave  of  substance  to  Nephites,  457  ;  people  of  joined  by  serv- 
ants of  king  of  Lamanites,  470  ;  Moroni  like  unto,  480 ;  declares 
word  of  God,  484  ;  people  of  persuaded  not  to  take  oath,  501  ;  sons 
of  people  of  take  name  of  Nephites  and  covenant  to  fight  for 
Nephites.  502  ;  sons  of  people  of  choose  Ilelaman  to  be  leader, 
502,  509  ;  sons  of  people  of  defeat  Lamanites,  514  ;  none  of  slain, 
515  ;  all  wounded,  none  slain,  518 ;  Lamanite  prisoners  sent  to 
dwell  with  people  of,  535  ;  Lamanite  prisoners  join  people  of,  537  ; 
people  of  go  into  land  northward,  549. 

Ammonihah,  Alma  preaches  word  of  God  at,  327,  330;  people  of  cast 
wives,  children,  and  records  into  fire,  353 ;  people  of  flee  from 
Alma  and  Amulek,  356 ;  Alma  and  Amulek  depart  from,  356  ; 
people  of  repent  not,  358  ;  people  of  destroyed  by  Lamanites,  359. 
360,  395 ;  called  Desolation  of  Nehors,  360 ;  city  of  rebuilt  and 
fortified  by  Moroni,  481  ;   Lamanites  march  against,  481. 

Ammoron,  appointed  king  of  Lamanites,  495 ;  attacks  Nephites  in 
borders  of  west  sea,  496 ;  proposes  exchange  of  prisoners  with 
Moroni,  503  ;  epistle  of  Moroni  to,  503  ;  epistle  of  to  Moroni,  504  : 
orders  Lamanites  not  to  attack  .Judea,  511  ;  refuses  epistle  of  Ilela- 
man, 515  ;  with  army  of  Lamanites  in  land  of  Moroni,  537  ;  slain 
by  Teancum,  538  ;  Tubaloth,  son  of,  544. 

Ammoron,  brother  of  Amos,  keeps  records,  686  ;  hides  up  records,  687, 
691  ;  end  of  record  of,  687  :  speaks  to  Mormon  concerning  records, 
687  ;  records  hid  up  by  taken  by  Mormon,  697. 

Amnigaddah,  son  of  Aaron,  714  ;  dwells  in  captivity,  743. 

Amnihu,  hill  of,   304. 

Amnor,  spy  of  Nephites,  305. 

Amnor,  of  silver,  339. 

Amos,  son  of  Amos,  keeps  record,  684;  record  of  written  in  Book  of 
Nephi.  684  ;  dies,  686. 

Amos,  son  of  Nephi,  keeps  record,  683  ;  death  of,  683. 

Amoron,  Mormon  receives  knowledge  from,  772. 

Amulek,  receives  Alma,  328  ;  preaches  to  people  of  Ammonihah,  334  ; 
son  of  Giddonah,  334  ;  angel  appears  to,  336  ;  questioned  by  Zeez- 
rom,  340 ;  teaches  restoration  and  resurrection,  342  ;  bound,  352  ; 
smitten  by  chief  judge,  354 ;  breaks  cords  with  which  bound. 
.356;  departs  from  Ammonihah,  goes  to  Sidom,  356;  rejected  by 
kindred.   358 :    goes   to   Zarahemla,    358 ;    preaches    repentance,    360 ; 


INDEX.  783 

goes  to  Zoramites,  417  ;  preaches  at  Onidali,  428  ;  testifies  of  Christ, 
428  ;  goes  to  Jershon,  4^2  ;  returns  to  Zarahemla,  43.'>. 
Amulon,    land    of.    27(3 ;    leader    of    priests    of    King    Noah,    276 ;    and 
brethren   join    Lamanites,    276 ;    made   king   over   people    of    Helam, 
276 ;  and   brethren   appointed  teachers  by  king  of   Lamanites,   276 ; 
oppresses  Alma  and  people,  277  ;   descendants  of  take  name  of  No- 
phites,    280 ;    people    of    and    others    build    city    of    Jerusalem,    381  ; 
seed  of,  o9o  ;  slain  by  Lamanites,  300. 
Amulonites,  harder  than  Lamanites,  381  ;  after  order  of  Xehors,  381  ; 
those  not  converted  take  up  arms,  391 ;  rebel  against  king  of  Anti- 
Nephi-Lehies;  391  ;  seed  of  Amulon,  395  ;  slain  by  Lamanites,  396. 
Ancient  inhabitants,  Moroni  gives  account  of,  714. 
Angel,  speaks  to  Laman  and  Lemuel,  9  ;  to  Nephi,  9,  38-42  ;  appears 
to  Nephi,  28,  29,  30,  33  ;  makes  things  known  to  Nephi,  42  ;  words 
of  concerning  coming  of  Messiah,  65  ;  appears  to  Jacob,  09  ;  speaks 
to    Benjamin,    215;    appears    to    .Vlma    and    sons    of    Mosiah,    286; 
appears  to  Alma,  328,  434,  444  ;  appears  to  Amulek,   335  ;  appears 
to  Samuel,  587. 
Angels,  in  Lehi's  vision,  2  ;  minister  to  Nephi,  93  ;  speak  with  tongues 
of,   162,  163  ;   to  the  devil,   174  ;   mmister  to  Jacob,   190  ;   declaring 
word    to    many,    351  ;    appear    to    Lamanites,    376 ;    visit    people    of 
Anti-Nephi-Lehi,   392  ;   declare   tidings   of   repentance,   557 ;   faces   of 
Nephi  and  Lehi  shine  as,  559  ;  minister  to  Nephites  and  Lamanites, 
561  ;   appear  to   wise   men,   598  ;   visit   Nephi,   622  ;   of   devil   rejoice 
in  calamities  of  people,  626  ;   minister  to  little  children,  650  ;   min- 
ister   to    twelve    disciples,    655  ;    three    Nephite    disciples    as,    678 ; 
office  and  ministry  of,  766. 
Anger,  people  drunken  with,  758  ;  of  Nephites,  772. 
Angola,  Nephites  fortify  city  of,   Lamanites  drive  Nephites  from,  689. 
Ani-Anti,  Aaron  goes  to.  382  ;   Muloki  at,  382. 
Animals,   found    in    land    of   promise,   63 ;    raised    by   people   of    Nephi, 

95  ;  to  dwell  in  peace,  159  ;  possessed  by  Jaredites,  737. 
Anti-christ,  in  Zarahemla,  409  ;  in  Gideon,  411. 
Antionah,  ruler  of  people  of  Ammonihah,  questions  Alma.  345. 
Antion,  of  gold,  339. 
Anti-Nephi-Lehi,   made  king,   391  ;   Ammon  and  brethren   counsel   with 

Lamoni  and,  391  ;  forbids  people  to  go  to  war,  391. 
Anti-Nephi-Lehies,  name  of  Lamanites  converted,  390 ;  friendly  with 
Nephites,  391  ;  Amulonites,  Araalekites,  and  Lamanites  rebel  against 
king  of,  391  ;  Anti-Nephi-Lehi  made  king  of,  391  ;  would  not  go  to 
war,  391,  402 ;  bury  swords  and  other  weapons,  392 ;  prostrate 
themselves  before  Lamanites,  394  ;  slain  by  Lamanites,  394  ;  joined 
l)y  Lamanites,  396 ;  observe  law  of  Moses,  396 ;  Amalekites  slay, 
402 ;  depart  out  of  land,  403 ;  commanded  to  depart  into  wilder- 
ness, 403 ;  proclamation  concerning,  404 ;  land  of  Jershon  given 
to,  404 ;  protected  by  Nephites,  404 ;  Alma  visits,  404 ;  take  pos- 
session of  Jershon.  405  ;  hatred  of  Lamanites  towards,  457  ;  would 
not  take  up  arms,  457. 
Antiomno,  king  of  Middoni,  377. 

Antionum,   settled   by   Zoramites,   416,   456 ;    east   of   Zarahemla,    416 ; 
Lamanites  come  into  land  of,  456  ;   Lamanites  gathered  in  land  of, 


784  BOOK    OF    MORMON. 

457  ;  Lamanites  depart  from,  458  ;  leader  of  ten  thousand  slain,  702. 

Antiparah,  city  of  taken  by  Lamanites,  510 ;  Lamanites  march  from 
to  attack  Helaman.  512  ;  Nephites  regain  city  of,  515. 

Antipas,  Lamanites  gather  at  mount  of,  474  ;  place  of  arms,  474. 

Antipus,  Helaman  goes  to  assistance  of  at  Judea,  509,  510  ;  pursues 
Lamanites,  512 ;  overtakes  Lamanites,  514 ;  and  leaders  fall  by 
sword,  514  ;   Helaman  and  army  rescue,  514. 

Antum,  land  of,  sacred  records  deposited  in,  by  Ammoron,  687. 

Apostles,  Israel  fights  against,  30 ;  all  nations  fight  against,  30 ; 
judge  tribes  of  Israel,  31  ;  book  goes  forth  by  hand  of,  35  ;  record 
of  true,  38  ;  one  of  seen  by  Nephi,  41  ;  writes  of  end  of  world,  41  ; 
things  written  just  and  true,  41  ;  Apostle  of  Lamb  to  write,  name 
John.  42  ;  have  power  to  give  Holy  Ghost,  760. 

Archeantus,  fallen  by  sword,  772. 

Atonement,  infinite.  106  ;  claims  of,  109  ;  satisfies  demands  of  justice, 
109  ;  all  men  lost  without,  191  ;  law  of  Moses  avails  nothing  except 
through,  217,  249  ;  prepared  from  foundation  of  world,  220  ;  with- 
out men  shall  perish,  249 ;  preached  by  Amulek,  334,  342  ;  taught 
by  Aaron,  381,  385 ;  taught  by  king  of  Anti-Nephi-Lehies,  392 ; 
Korihor  preaches  against,  410  ;  God  atones  for  sins  of  world,  453  ; 
bringeth  mercy  and  resurrection,  454  ;  no  salvation  outside  of,  556. 

Babylon,  captives  carried  to,  3  ;  to  be  destroyed,  141. 

Ball  of  Brass,  found  by  Lehi,  48 ;  directions  of  followed,  49,  50 ; 
pointers  of  work  according  to  faith,  50 ;  compass  ceased  to  work, 
61  ;  delivered  to  Mosiah  by  Benjamin,  209. 

Baptism,  prophet  to  administer,  24,  29  ;  Holy  Spirit  follows,  29  ;  all 
men  must  be  obedient  to,  108 ;  of  Lamb  of  God,  29,  161 ;  com- 
manded. 161 ;  of  fire  and  Holy  Ghost,  162  ;  gate  by  which  to  enter 
is  repentance  and,  162 ;  taught  and  administered  by  Alma,  259 ; 
281,  283,  285  ;  administered  in  Sidon,  310,  321  ;  Alma  teaches, 
324 ;  Alma  baptizes  at  Melek,  327,  at  Sidom,  358 ;  Alma  baptizes 
Zeezrom,  358 ;  baptism  administered  to  L^paanites,  376 ;  Helaman 
and  brethren  preach,  539 ;  thousands  enter  church  by,  551  ; 
Nephites  baptized,  557 ;  eight  thousand  Lamanites  baptized,  558 ; 
Nephi  baptizing,  597 ;  Nephi  and  others  baptize,  602 ;  all  who 
repented  baptized,  623 ;  of  fire  and  Holy  Ghost  promised  by 
Christ,  628 ;  Christ  commands'  disciples  to  administer,  633 ;  is 
immersion,  633  ;  twelve  given  power  to  administer,  635  ;  those  bap- 
tized to  receive  bread  and  wine,  651  ;  twelve  disciples  baptized, 
655 ;  those  baptized  promised  salvation,  667 ;  disciples  of  Christ 
baptize,  672 ;  those  baptized  called  church  of  Christ,  672 ;  com- 
manded, 674  ;  disciples  of  Christ  baptize,  677  ;  Gentiles  commanded 
to  be,  681  ;  baptized  in  name  of  Jesus,  681  ;  not  to  be  administered 
to  those  unworthy,  713  ;  commanded  of  Christ,  725  ;  teaching  con- 
cerning, 762 ;  of  little  children  gross  error,  769 ;  first-fruits  of 
repentance,  771. 

Barges,  built  by  Jared  and  brother,  717,  718 ;  description  of,  718, 
719  :  number  of,  720  ;  people  embark  in,  727  ;  driven  before  wind, 
727;  voyage  of,   727. 

Barley,  339. 


INDEX.  785 

Beggar,  not  to  petition  in  vain,  221. 

Beggars,  all  are,  222. 

Benjamin,  reigns  instead  of  Mosiah,  202 ;  war  in  days  of,  202 ; 
receives  plates  from  Amaleki,  202 ;  reign  of,  204 ;  plates  handed 
down  from  reign  of,  205  ;  contentions  among  people  of,  205  ;  fights 
with  sword  of  Laban,  206 ;  drives  out  Lamanites,  206  ;  establishes 
peace  in  land,  206 ;  peace  remainder  of  days,  207 ;  sons  of,  207 ; 
teaches  sons  language  of  fathers,  207 ;  teaches  sons,  207 ;  words 
of  to  Mosiah,  208 ;  confers  kmgdom  upon  Mosiah,  209 ;  gives 
Mosiah  charge  of  records,  plates,  sword  of  Laban,  and  ball  or 
director,  209;  addresses  his  people,  210,  219;  declares  Mosiah 
king,  214  ;  takes  names  of  those  entering  into  covenant,  226  ;  con- 
secrates son  Mosiah  to  be  king,  226 ;  appomts  priests  to  teach 
people,  226  ;  death  of,  226  ;  words  of  not  understood  by  some,  281. 

Benjamin,  King,  kept  records  written  by  brother  of  Jared,  723. 

Bethabara,  prophet  to  baptize  at,  24. 

Bible,  Gentiles  say  there  can  not  be  any  more,  156  ;  to  proceed  from 
Jews,  156  ;  not  to  contain  all  the  words  of  God,  157. 

Boaz,  Nephites  flee  to  city  of,  697  ;  Nephites  driven  from,  697. 

Book,  given  to  Lehi,  2,  3  ;  Nephi  writes  in,  25  ;  carried  forth  among 
.  Gentiles,  35,  36  ;  contains  covenants  of  Lord,  35  ;  of  Lamb  of  God, 
37  ;  proceeding  out  of  mouth  of  Jew,  41  ;  Joseph's  seed  to  hearken 
to  words  of,  90 ;  words  of  righteous  sealed  up  in,  146 ;  to  be 
sealed,  149  ;  words  of  to  be  brought  forth,  149  ;  to  contain  revela- 
tion from  beginning  to  end  of  world,  149 ;  words  of  to  be  read 
upon  housetops,  149 ;  three  witnesses  of,  150 ;  words  of  delivered 
to  learned,  150  ;  learned  unable  to  read  it,  150  ;  unlearned  to  read 
words  of,  150  ;  sealed  up  again  unto  tne  Lord,  151  ;  deaf  to  hear 
words  of,   152  ;   many   to  believe  words  of,   158. 

Books,  other,  38  ;  scaled,  42  ;  to  come  forth  in  their  purity  to  house 
of  Israel,  42  ;  world  to  be  judged  out  of,  157  ;  world  to  be  judged 
by  words  written  in,  675. 

Bountiful,  land  of,  52,  53,  387;  inhabited  by  Nephites,  388;  appear- 
ance of  Christ  in,  632. 

Bountiful,  Nephites  possess  land  north  of,  486 ;  Moroni  and  people 
in,  488 ;  Lamanites  drive  Nephites  to  borders  of,  493 ;  Teancum's 
army  at  borders  of,  493  ;  Moroni  orders  Teancum  to  fortify,  495  ; 
Moroni  marches  to  to  assist  Teancum,  496 ;  returns  to  city  of, 
497  ;  Moroni  and  army  arrive  at,  497  ;  Lehi  meet^  Lamanites  near, 
498 ;  Lamanite  prisoners  marched  to,  499  ;  Lamanites  erect  forti- 
fications about  city  of  by  order  of  Moroni,  000 ;  prisoners  of 
Lamanites  caused  to  labor  in,  500  ;  Hagoth  builds  ship  on  borders 
of,  540 ;  Coriantumr  marches  toward,  545  ;  Lamanites  obtain  pos- 
session of  lands  near,  553 ;  Nephi  and  Lehi  begin  preaching  at, 
557. 

Breastplates   found  by   people   of   Limhi,   232. 

Brother  of  Jared,  man  highly  favored  of  the  Lord,  715  ;  language  of 
not  confounded,  715  ;  promised  cLoice  land,  716,  717  ;  seed  of  and 
of  brother  to  become  great  nation,  716  ;  and  brother  go  into  Valley 
of    Nimrod,    716:    the    Lord    talks    with,    716,    718;    commanded    to 


786  BOOK    OF    MORMON. 

depart  into  wilderness,  716 ;  chastened  and  repents,  718 ;  molts 
stones  from  Shelem,  720  ;  sees  finger  of  Lord,  721  ;  sees  the  Lord, 
721  ;  could  not  be  kept  from  within  the  vail,  722  ;  given  two  stones 
or  interpreters,  722,  723  ;  commanded  to  write  and  seal  up  records, 
722,  723 ;  commanded  to  write  in  a  language  confounded,  722 ; 
shown  all  inhabitants  of  earth,  723  ;  to  seal  up  two  stones,  723 ; 
puts  stones  into  vessels,  726 ;  embarks  for  promised  land,  727 ; 
and  people  reach  promised  land,  727  ;  begets  sons  and  daughters, 
728 ;  number  of  sons  and  daughters,  728 ;  Pagag,  son  of,  chosen 
to  be  king,  refuses,  728,  729  ;  sons  of  refuse  to  be  king,  728  ;  death 
of,  725) ;  descendant  of  subdues  Moron,  745 ;  commands  mountain 
to  be  moved,  748. 
Burnt  offerings,  offered  by  Lehi,  14,  19. 
Cain,   733. 

Cement,   expert  in  use  of,  549. 
Cezoram,  Nephi  delivers  judgment  seat  to,  555  ;  murdered,  563  ;  son  of, 

appointed  judge  and  murdered,  563. 
Charity,    all    men    should   have,    147 ;    Nephi    has,    165 ;    defined,    768 ; 

can  not  be  saved  without,  776. 
Chastity,  God  delights  in,  172. 
Chemish,    receives   plates   from    Amaron,    200 ;    writes    in    book    of   his 

brother,  200. 
Chief,  of  tribe,  620. 

Children,  born  in  wilderness,  52 ;  confidence  of  lost,  172  ;  husbands 
and  wives  love,  174  ;  speak  marvelous  things  to  fathers,  671,  672  ; 
baptism  of  little,  a  gross  error,  769  ;  little,  alive  in  Christ,  769. 
Christ,  people  believe  in,  143  ;  made  alive  in,  143  ;  preach,  talk,  and 
write  of,  143  ;  life  in,  143 ;  law  fulfilled  in,  143  ;  to  show  himself 
to  children  of  Lehi,  144  ;  Jews  and  Gentiles  must  be  convinced  of, 
145  ;  doctrine  of,  160  ;  name  of  taken  upon  by  baptism,  161  ;  feast- 
ing upon  word  of,  163  ;  no  other  name  whereby  man  can  be  saved, 
163  ;  words  of,  163,  xQQ  ;  prophets  had  hope  of  glory  of,  175  ;  com- 
ing of  foretold,  216  ;  atonement  and  salvation  through  only,  217  ; 
to  be  callefi  by  name  of,  225 ;  resurrection  through,  253,  312 ; 
death  swallowed  up  in,  255  ;  life  and  light  of  world,  25-5  ;  church 
of,  260 ;  Alma's  prophecy  concerning,  323 ;  Amulek  teaches  con- 
cerning coming  of,  342  ;  Alma  teaches  concerning  coming  of,  351  ; 
to  appear  after  his  resurrection,  361  ;  Ammon  teaches  Lamoni  of, 
371  ;  testifies  of,  373  ;  queen  of  Lamanites  testifies  of,  376  ;  atone- 
ment of  taught  by  Aaron,  381  ;  Anti-christ  speaks  against,  409,  410  ; 
Alma  testifies  of,  413,  446;  denied  by  Zoramites,  418;  spoken  of  by 
Moses,  427  ;  Amulek  testifies  of,  428  ;  only  means  of  salvation,  444  ; 
bringeth  to  pass  resurrection  of  dead,  447  ;  atonement  of,  453  ;  be- 
lievers in  called  Christians  by  Moroni,  470  ;  many  died  in  faith  of, 
473  ;  Moroni  firm  in  faith  of,  479  ;  gate  of  heaven  open  to  those  who 
believe  on,  551  ;  atonement  of,  556 ;  to  redeem  from  sins,  556 ; 
faith  in  taught  by  Aminadab,  560 ;  Holy  Spirit  bears  witness  of, 
560  ;  death  of  redeems  mankind,  592  ;  signs  of  coming  of,  591,  593. 
601  ;  doctrine  of  called  foolish  and  vain,  604  ;  nine  years  from 
birth    of,    604 ;    tenth,    eleventh,    thirteenth    years    from,    604,    605 ; 


INDEX.   '  787 

fourteenth    year,    605 ;    fifteenth    year,    605,    606 ;    sixteenth    year 
from  coming  of,  606  ;  seventeenth  year,  609  ;  eighteenth  year,  610  : 
nineteenth   year,   610,   612;    twentieth   and   twenty-first  years,    612; 
twenty-second,   twenty-third,    twenty-fourth,   and   twenty-fifth   years, 
615 ;    twenty-sixth,    twenty-seventh   years,   617 ;    twenty-eighth    year, 
617;    twenty-ninth,    618:    thirtieth,    618;    death    and    resurre'^tion 
of  testified  of,  619  ;  thirtieth  year,  620  ;  thirty-first  year,  622,  623  ; 
Nephi    testifies    of    remission    of    sins    through,    622 ;    thirty-second 
year,    623 ;    thirty-third    year,    623,    624 ;    thirty-fourth    year,    624  : 
speaks   to   people  after   destruction   of  cities,   626   and   628 ;   law   of 
Moses    fulfilled    in,    628 ;    thirty-fourth    year,    631  ;    manifests    him- 
self unto  Nephites  and   Lamanites,  631  ;   appearance  and   words  of, 
632  ;  speaks  to  Nephi,  633  ;  doctrine  of,  634  ;  calls  twelve  apostles, 
633,   635  ;   instructs   twelve  disciples,   640,   644,   650,   651  ;    teaching 
to   the   multitude,   641,   647,   651  ;    law   of   Moses   fulfilled    in,   643 : 
speaks  concerning  all  nations  of  Gentiles,  646,  647,   658  ;   to  go  to 
lost    tribes    of    Israel,    648 ;    heals    the    afllicted,    648 ;    blesses    little 
children,    649 ;    teaching   to   disciples,    650,    652 ;    administers    bread 
and    wine,    650,    657 ;    ordains    one    to   administer    bread    and    wine, 
650  ;   a  light  and  an  example,   b51  ;  forbids  partaking  of  flesh   and 
blood   unworthily,    652 ;    sheep    of   known    and   numbered,    053 ;    dis- 
ciples  given    power    to    give    Holy    Ghost,    653 ;    ascension    of.    654 ; 
appears    agam    to    multitude,    655 ;    commands    multitude    and    dis- 
ciples to  pray,  655  ;  prays  to  Father,  655,  657  ;  speaks  to  multitude, 
657  ;  speaks  to  disciples,  658  ;  spoken  of  by  Moses,  659  ;  commands 
twelve    to    write    scriptures,    667 ;    commands    words    of    Samuel    to 
be   recorded,   667 ;    expounds   words   of   Malachi,   667 ;   teachings   of 
contained  on  plates  of  Nephi,  671  ;  shows  himself  often  and  breaks 
bread    and    administers,    671  ;    administers    to    children,    671  ;    heals 
aflaicted,    671  ;    raises    man    from    dead,    672 ;    disciples    of    baptize, 
672 :    all    things   common    among   disciples   of,   672 ;    those   baptized 
called  church  of,  672  ;  appears  again,  672 ;  church  to  be  called  in 
name  of,  673  ;  all  things  to  be  done  in  name  of,  673  ;  admonishes 
disciple-^,   675  ;    speaks   to   disciples,   675 ;   desires  of   disciples,   676 ; 
promise  to,  676 ;   three   of  disciples  of  not  to  taste  of  death,   676. 
678 ;   touches  all   disciples  save  three,  677 ;   ascension  of,  677  ;   dis- 
ciples of  caught  up  into  heaven,  677  ;  disciples  of  cast  into  furnace 
and   den   of   wild    beasts,    678 ;    three   disciples   of,    change   wrought 
upon,  679 :   Lamanites  and  Nephites  all   converted   unto,   681  ;   chil- 
dren   of,     683 ;    first    generation    from    passed    away,    683 ;    second 
generation  after,  684  ;   churches  deny  more  part  of  gospel  of,  684  ; 
a  church   denies,  684  ;   Nephites  once  had  for  Shepherd,   700  ;   Mor- 
mon   exhorts    house    of    Israel    to    believe    in,    703 ;    shows    Gentile 
nations   to   Moroni,    708 :    results   of   faith    in,   712 ;    commission    of, 
712 ;   words  of  to  twelve,   760 ;   manner  of  administering  flesh   and 
blood    of,    761,    762 ;    effects    of    faith    in.    766 :    circumcision    done 
away    In,    769 ;    little   children    alive    in,    769 ;    that    which    is    good 
denleth  not,  775.      (See  under  Jesus  Christ,  and  Messiah.) 
Christians,  believers  in  Christ  called,  470  ;  cause  of.  470. 
Church,  great  and  abominable,  33  ;  destroys  saints  of  God,  34  ;  takes 


788  BOOK'  OF    MORMON. 

from  book  plain  and  precious  things,  36  ;  founded  by  devil,  etc., 
39  :  utter  destruction  of,  39,  40,  154  ;  whore  of  all  the  earth,  40  ; 
dominion  over  all  the  earth,  40 ;  gathered  together  to  fight,  40 ; 
of  Lamb  of  God,  40  ;  numbers  of  few,  40,  100  ;  wrath  of  God  upon, 
41  ;  wars  among  nations  of,  41  ;  of  Christ,  260 ;  people  of  to 
impart  of  substance,  261  ;  Alma  high  priest  of,  274  ;  of  God,  those 
baptized  belong  to,  281  ;  Alma  regulates  affairs  of,  285  ;  prosperity 
and  persecution  of,  285 ;  murmurs,  285  ;  nothing  to  overthrow  it 
but  transgression  of  people,  287  ?  became  rich,  302 ;  wealthy  and 
prosperous,  302  ;  thirty-five  hundred  additions  to,  310  ;  people  wax 
proud,  310 ;  elders,  priests,  teachers  consecrated  unto,  311  ;  evils 
of,  311  ;  in  city  of  Zarahemla,  313 ;  received  into  after  baptism, 
321  ;  transgressors  cast  out  of,  321  ;  established  in  city  of  Zara- 
hemla, 321  ;  commanded  to  fast  and  pray,  321  ;  regulations  of  made 
by  Alma,  321  ;  Alma  establishes  order  of  in  Gideon,  326  ;  established 
at  Sidom,  358  ;  establishment  of  general  among  Nephites,  361  ; 
established  among  Lamanites,  376,  561  ;  of  God,  people  of  Ammon 
numbered  with,  405 ;  performances  of,  417 ;  Alma  and  brethren 
sought  to  destroy,  434  ;  Alma  blesses,  467 ;  saying  of  concerning 
Alma,  467  ;  established  by  Helaman  and  brethren,  468  ;  priests  and 
teachers  appointed  over,  468  ;  dissenters  from  church  under  Amalic- 
kiah,  469 ;  established  by  Helaman  and  brethren,  539 ;  pride 
and  contention  in,  548,  552 ;  great  prosperity  in,  551  ;  brethren 
of  persecuted,  552  ;  fasting  and  praying  of,  552 ;  dissension  in, 
552 ;  abominations  among,  553 ;  began  to  dwindle  and  disbelieve, 
555  ;  spread  throughout  face  of  land,  582 ;  contention  among, 
582  :  broken  up  in  all  land,  618  ;  to  be  established  among  Gentiles, 
662,  664,  666 ;  those  baptized  called  church  of  Christ,  672 ;  to 
be  called  by  name  of  Christ,  673  ;  to  be  built  upon  gospel  of  Christ, 
673  ;  disciples  of  Christ  unite  people  to,  677  ;  all  converted  united 
with,  678  ;  disciples  form,  in  all  lands  round  about,  681  ;  all  peo- 
ple converted  unto,  681  ;  began  to  deny  time,  684  :  another,  which 
denied  the  Christ,  684 ;  of  Christ,  those  baptized  into,  762 ;  meet 
together  often,   762. 

Churches,  two  only,  40  ;  not  unto  the  Lord,  152  ;  to  contend,  to  deny 
the  Holy  Ghost,  153  ;  become  corrupted,  153 ;  rob  the  poor,  perse- 
cute meek,  154  ;  pride  and  wickedness  of,  154  ;  taught  by  precepts 
of  men,  154  ;  Alma  permitted  to  establish,  281  ;  seven  in  land  of 
Zarahemla,  281  ;  established  by  Aaron  and  brethren,  389 ;  built 
up  to  themselves  to  get  gain,  684,  many  churches,  684,  685  ;  built 
up  to  themselves — richly  adorned,  686  ;  to  become  defiled,  707  ;  to 
forgive  sins  to  get  gain,  708  ;  every  one  polluted  by  pride,  700. 

Circumcision,   done  away  in   Christ,   769. 

Cities,  built  in  Zarahemla,  286 ;  many  built,  486 ;  many  built  and 
repaired,  617  ;  destroyed,  624  ;   built  where  formerly  burned.  682. 

Classes,   among   people,   684, 

Cloth,  woven  by  people  of  Zeniff,  237,  302.  562  ;  made  by  .Taredites, 
742. 

Cohor,  brother  of  Noah,  drawn  away  by  Noah,  730. 

Cohor,  son  of  Noah,  kingdom  of,  731  ;  gives  battle  to  Shule,  slain  by, 


INDEX.  789 

731  ;  kingdom  of  given  to  Shule  by  Nimrod,  731  ;  sons  and  daugh- 
ters repent  not,  751. 

Com,  son  of  Coriantum,  714,  715  ;  reigns  as  king,  738  ;  dethroned  by 
Heth,  738  ;  reigns  over  half  of  kingdom,  743  ;  subdues  Amgid,  743  ; 
prophets  flee  to  for  protection,  743. 

Combinations,  secret,  plans  to  be  I'-pt  from  people,  440,  441  ;  judg- 
rcents  of  God  upon,  441,  543,  547,  548,  563  ;  signs  and  words  of, 
564  ;  wickedness  of,  564  ;  origin  of,  564  ;  plots  handed  down  by  devil 
— among  all  nations,  565  ;  destroyed  among  Lamanites,  566  ;  Nephites 
build  up,  566,  577 ;  control  government,  567 ;  judges  mcluded  in, 
570 ;  chief  judge  slain  because  of,  573 ;  war  caused  by,  579 ;  war 
and  destruction  caused  by,  582,  583,  603 ;  leader  of  slain,  613 ; 
Nephites   make  end   of,  614 ;  judges  enter  into  against  government, 

620  ;  destroy  government,  620  ;  gathered  together  and  appoint  king, 

621  ;  people  of  migrate  northward  to  establish  kingdom,  621  ; 
people  again  build  up,  686  ;  work  to  come  forth  in  a  day  of,  707  ; 
built   up    to   get   gain,    709 ;    secret,    733 ;    swearing   of   people   into, 

733  ;  oaths  of  handed  down  by  Cain,  733  ;  abominable  and  wicked 
above  all  in  sight  of  God,  734  ;  Lord  worketh  not  in,  734 ;  cause 
destruction  of  Nephites  and  Jaredites,  734  ;  Gentiles  warned  against, 

734  ;  built  up  by  devil  to  destroy  all  nations,  735  ;  Jared  murdered 
by,  736 ;  Heth  embraces,  738 ;  Com  fights  against,  743 ;  people 
rebel  because  of,  745 ;  reject  words  of  prophets  because  of,  745 ; 
many  of  people  of  slain,  752  ;  Gilead  receives  strength  from,  754  ; 
cause  murder  of  Gilead,  754.      (See  under  Gadianton.) 

Commandments,  Lord  prepares  a  way  for  accomplishment  of,  7,  23,  52. 

Comnor,   hill,   756. 

Compass,  ceases  working,  61 ;  again  works,  63,  441.  (See  Director, 
and  Ball.) 

Concubines,  prohibited,  172,  173  ;  and  wives  of  King  Noah,  239. 

Contention  forbidden,  260,  274  ;  appears  through  Amlici,  303  ;  among 
church,  311  ;  among  Lamanites  because  of  Ammon,  375  ;  cause  of 
wars  and  destructions  of  Nephites,  487  ;  concerning  lands  of  Lehi 
and  Morianton,  487 ;  concerning  law,  490,  491  ;  among  Nephites, 
539  ;  in  church,  548  ;  among  people,  549,  550,  552  ;  Gadiantons  stir 
up  among  Nephites,  570  ;  people  divided  by,  579  ;  slay  because  of, 
579 ;  concerning  doctrine,  582 ;  ended  by  preaching  of  Nephi  and 
Lehi,  582 ;  concerning  law  of  Moses,  602 ;  caused  by  secret  com- 
binations, 621  ;  not  of  Christ,  634  ;  none  in  all  the  land,  681,  683. 

Corianton,  son  of  Alma,  goes  to  Zoramites,  417 ;  commandments  of 
Alma  to,  445  ;  called  to  preach,  455  ;  declares  word  of  God,  481 ; 
sails  with  provisions  to  people  of  land  northward,  541. 

Corinator,  Ether  descendant  from,  714  ;  son  of  Moron,  714,  745  ; 
dwells  in  captivity,  745  ;  begets  Ether,  745  ;  death  of,  745. 

Coriantum,   son   of  Amnigaddah,   714 ;    dwells   in   captivity,    743. 

Coriantum,  son  of  Emer,  715  ;  anointed  king  by  Emer,  737. 

Coriantumr,  account  of  people  of,  202  ;  discovered  by  people  of  Zara- 
hemla,  202 ;  son  of  Omer,  732 ;  and  Esrom  defeat  Tared,  732 ; 
king  of  .Taredites,  745 ;  destruction  sought,  751  ;  fought  against 
by  secret  combinations,  752 ;  taken  captive  by  Shared,  752  ;  sons 
of    regain    kingdom    from    Shared,    752 ;    defeats    Shared    in    battle, 


790  BOOK    OF    MORMON. 

753 ;  defeated  by  Shared,  753 ;  slays  Shared  in  battle,  wounded 
by  Shared,  753  ;  defeats  brother  of  Shared,  753  ;  brother  of  Shared 
places  himself  upon  throne  of,  753 ;  gives  battle  to  Lib,  754 ; 
wounded,  754  ;  defeated  by  Lib,  754  ;  flees  to  Agosh,  754 ;  gives 
battle  to  Shiz,  755 ;  flees  before  Lib,  754  ;  not  to  fall  by  sword, 
755 ;  gives  battle  to  Shiz,  755 ;  gathers  armies  at  hill  Comnor, 
756 ;  wounded  by  Shiz,  756 ;  repentance  of,  756 ;  writes  epistle  to 
Shiz,  756 ;  flees  before  Shiz,  757  ;  comes  to  waters  of  Ripliancum, 
757 ;  wounded  at  Ripliancum,  757  ;  defeats  Shiz,  757 ;  encamps 
at  hill  Ramah,  757  ;  final  battle  with  Shiz,  757  ;  epistle  of  to  Shiz, 
758  ;  slays.  Shiz,  759. 

Coriantumr,  led  army  of  Lamanites,  544  ;  takes  city  of  Zarahemla, 
544 ;  slays  Pacumeni,  545 ;  marches  toward  Bountiful,  545  ;  slain, 
546. 

Corihor,  land  of,   Shiz  flees  to,   755. 

Corihor,  son  of  Kib,  729  ;  rebels  against  father,  729  ;  dwells  in  land 
of  Nehor,  729 ;  takes  father  captive  in  Moron,  729 ;  given  battle 
by  Shule,  730 ;  kingdom  taken  from  by  Shule,  730 ;  repents,  given 
power  by  Shule,  730  ;  Noah  rebels  against,  730  ;  sons  and  daughters 
repent  not,  751. 

Corom,  made  king,  741  ;  death  of,  741. 

Corum,   son   of  Levi,   714. 

Covenant,  made  to  Abraham,  45 ;  people  enter  into,  224  ;  names  of 
those  entering  into,   226 ;   secret,   of  Kishkumen,   543. 

Crime,   Jacob  speaks  of  grosser,  171. 

CrosS;  Lamb  ot  God  lifted  upon,  30. 

Cumeni   city  of  taken  by  Lamanites,  510  ;  surrendered  to  Helaman,  516. 

Cumenihah.  leader  of  ten  thousand  slain,  702. 

Cumorah,  land  and  hill  of,  701,  704  ;  Nephites  march  to  and  defeated 
by  LamaniteF  at,  701  ;  Mormon  hides  records  in  hill  of,  701. 

Damnation,  to  be  subject  to  devil  is,  255. 

Darkness,  over  face  of  land,  625  ;  vapor  of  felt,  625  ;  three  days  of, 
625  ;  passed  away,  629. 

Daughters,  sorrow  and  mourning  of,  172 ;  not  to  be  led  away  cap- 
tive, 172. 

David,  desired  wives  and  concubines,  168  ;  had  wives  and  concubines, 
171  ;  having  of  wives  and  concubines  abominable,  171. 

David.  Nephites  driven  from  land  of,  689. 

Death,  passed  upon  all  men,  106  ;  and  hell,  106  ;  spiritual,  106  ;  is  the 
grave,  107  ;  and  hell  deliver  up  dead,  107  ;  swallowed  up  in  Christ, 
255,  405  ;  chains  of,  436  ;  murder  punished  by,  410  ;  temporal,  711. 

Deseret,   meaning  honey-bee,   716. 

Desolation,  land  of,  387 ;  place  of  first  landing,  387 ;  people  of 
Morlanton  headed  at,  488 ;  Hagoth  launches  ship  near,  540 ;  Mor- 
mon gathers  Nephites  to,  693 ;  Nephites  defeat  Lamanites  in, 
693  ;  Nephites  go  out  of  to  attack  Lamanites,  695  ;  Lamanites  take 
city  of,  695  ;  city  of  Teancum  near  city  of,  695  ;  Nephites  retake, 
696 ;  Lamanites  take  city  of,  696 ;  Lamanites  defeat  Nephites  in 
land  of,  697  ;  Moron  near,  729, 

Desolation  of  Nehors,  360. 


INDEX.  791 

Devil,  captivity  of,  39,  106 ;  founder  of  abominable  church,  39,  40 ; 
beguiled  first  parents,  106 ;  transforms  himself,  106 ;  and  angels 
the  filthy  ones,  108 ;  go  into  everlasting  fire,  108 ;  of  all  devils, 
110 ;  foundation  of  secret  combinations,  147 ;  kingdom  of  must 
shake,  154  ;  to  rage  in  hearts  of  men,  to  stir  men  to  anger  against 
good,  154  ;  leadeth  men  to  hell,  155  ;  master  of  sin,  221  ;  has  power 
over  wicked,  254,  255  ;  takes  possession  of  wicked,  448  ;  father  of 
secret  combinations,   735. 

Directors,  ball  of  brass,  48  ;  Alma  directs  Helaman  to  preserve,  439  ; 
prepared  that  word  of  God  might  be  fulfilled,  440  ;  called  Liahona, 
441.      (See  Ball.) 

Disciples,  all  die  except  three,  others  ordained  in  their  stead,  083 ; 
of  Jesus  cast  into  prison,  prisons  rent  in  twain,  miracles  wrought 
by,  684 ;  cast  into  furnaces  of  fire,  685 ;  taken  away  because  of 
wickedness,  688  ;  three,  minister  to  Mormon  and  Moroni,  705. 

Diseases,   removed  by  plants  and   roots,   473. 

Dissenters,  more  hardened  than  Lamanites,  477 ;  to  Lamanites,  552 ; 
with  Lamanites  obtain  land  southward  from  Nephites,  553 ;  con- 
fess sins  and  are  baptized,  557 ;  endeavor  to  repair  wrongs,  557, 
558  ;  commence  war,  582. 

Division,  caused  among  the  people,  159  ;  great  among  people,  685. 

Doctrine,  points  of  to  be  made  known,  44  ;  false,  to  be  confounded, 
88  ;  of  Christ,  160,  163,  164,  634  ;  Sherem  tries  to  overthrow,  189  ; 
false  taught  by  Nehor  and  others,  300. 

Dream  of  Lehi,  4,  7,  19. 

Earth,  knowledge  of  Lord  to  cover,  160  ;  created  by  power  of  word, 
176  ;  moves,  not  the  sun,  585  ;  destructions  upon  at  crucifixion,  624. 

Earthquake,  Alma  and  Amulek  delivered  by,  356 ;  Nephi  and  Lehi 
delivered   by,   558. 

Earthquakes,  624,  625. 

Eden,   man   cast   out   of,   452. 

Egypt,  Moses  to  deliver  Israel  from,  88. 

Egyptian,   reformed,   records  written  in,   713. 

Egyptians,  language  of,  2. 

Elders,  consecrated  by  Alma  311  ;  ordained  by  Alma,  321  ;  manner 
of  ordaining  priests  and  teachers  by,  761  ;  ministering  flesh  and 
blood  of  Christ,  761,  762. 

Emer,  son  of  Omer,  715  ;  anointed  king  by  Omer,  736  ;  dies,  737. 

Emron,  slain  by  sword,   772. 

Enos,  plates  given  to  by  Jacob,  193 ;  conversion  of,  193,  194 ; 
prophesies  to  people  of  Nephi,  195. 

Ephraim,  hill  of,  720. 

Equality,  enjoined,  285  ;  practiced,  301,  302. 

Esrom,  son  of  Omer,  732  ;  and  Coriantumr  defeat  Jared,   732. 

Eternal  torment,  435. 

Ethem,  son  of  Ahah,  714  ;  becomes  king,  744. 

Ether,  account  of  ancient  inhabitants  taken  from  book  of,  714  ;  de- 
scendant of  Coriantor,  714,  745  ;  lived  in  days  of  Coriantumr,  745  ; 
prophesies  to  people,  745 ;  words  of  rejected,  750 ;  sees  days  of 
Christ,    750 ;    prophecies    of,    great    and    marvelous,    751  ;     hides    in 


792  BOOK    OF    MORMON. 

cavity  of  rock,  751,  752  ;  makes  record,  751  ;  prophesies  to  Corian- 
tumr,  752  ;  prophesies  of  Coriantumr,  755  ;  all  gathered  to  armies 
except,  757  ;  beholds  destruction  of  people,  759 ;  finishes  and 
hides  record,  759  ;  record  of  found  by  people  of  Limhi,  759,  270 ; 
last  words  written  by,  759. 
Ezrom,  of  silver,  339. 

Faith,  effects  of,  4,  6,  176  ;  God  worketh  by,  151 ;  manifestation  by, 
167  ;  to  pray  with,  173  ;  of  Enos  unshaken,  194  ;  Holy  Spirit  mani- 
festeth  according  to,  197 ;  remission  of  sins  through,  219 ;  brings 
joy,  224;  hearts  changed  through,  224  ;  miracles  wrought  by,  233; 
Alma  blessed  because  of,  283  ;  Alma  teaches,  326,  357  ;  of  wife  of 
Lamoni,  373 ;  knowledge  greater  than,  422 ;  compass  works  by, 
442  ;  lives  of  some  of  people  of  Ammon  preserved  by,  518  ;  power 
manifested  through,  707  ;  brings  knowledge,  72l  ;  Ether  and  Moroni 
concerning,  746 ;  Moroni  on  and  charity,  748 ;  brings  power  to  do 
whatever  is  expedient,  766 ;  effects  of,  766 ;  God  worketh  among 
men  according  to  their,  775  ;  can  not  be  saved  without,  776. 
Fall,  came  by  transgression,  106,  453. 
Family  of  Lehi,  4. 

Famine,    people    of    Zeniff    smitten    with,    234 ;    upon    Nephites    and 
Lamanites,    580 ;    people    repent    because    of,    580 ;    removed,    581  ; 
among  Jaredites,  738,  739,  744. 
Father,   work   of   to   commence,   41. 

Fire,  as  fire  and  brimstone,  108,  189  ;  endless  torment,  108. 
Fornication,  warnings  against,  174. 
Foundation,  only  sure,  177,  557. 

Free  men,  to  maintain  free  government,  490  ;  voice  of  people  favor,  490. 
Gad,  city  of  burned,  627. 
Gadiandi,  city  sunk,  627. 

Gadianton,  leader  of  band  of  Kishkumen,  547 ;  band  of  flee  into 
wilderness,  548 ;  secret  combinations  of,  551  ;  band  of  murderers 
formed  by,  563 ;  more  numerous  among  Lamanites,  563 ;  band  of 
murdered  Cezoram  and  his  sons,  563 ;  more  numerous  part  of 
Nephites  join  band  of,  563  ;  signs  and  words  of,  564  ;  laws  given 
by,  564  ;  origin  of  system  of,  564  ;  band  of  destroyed  among  Laman- 
ites, 566  ;  band  of  built  up  by  Nephites,  566  ;  band  of  obtain  posses- 
sion of  government,  566 ;  robbers  of  filling  judgment  seats,  567 ; 
at  head  of  government,  567  ;  judges  belong  to  band  of,  570 ;  band 
of  slay  chief  judge,  573  ;  secret  band  of  cause  war,  579  ;  band  of 
swept  away,  580  ;  secret  plans  of  concealed,  580  :  robbers  of,  582  ; 
driven  back,  583;  defy  armies  of  Nephites  and  Lamanites,  583; 
robbers  of  infest  land  and  increase,  603 ;  robbers  of  joined  by 
Nephites  and  Lamanites,  603 ;  robbers  of  become  numerous,  Ne- 
phites ana  Lamanites  arm  against,  605 ;  war  between  robbers  of 
and  Nephites,  605  ;  robbers  of  gain  over  Nephites,  605 ;  leader  of 
robbers  of  writes  to  Lachoneus,  606  ;  Giddianhi,  governor  of  society 
of,  607  ;  works  of  of  ancient  date,  607  ;  Nephites  prepare  against 
robbers  of,  608  ;  Nephites  gather  together  against  robbers  of,  609  ; 
robbers  of  go  against  Nephites,  611:  Nephites  defeat  robbers  of, 
611.   613;    robbers   of   besiege   Nephites,   612;   leader   of   robbers   of 


INDEX.  793 

hanged,  G13  ;  band  of  destroyed,  614  ;  robbers  of  given  lands,  617  ; 
people  again  begin  to  build  up  secret  oaths  and  combinations  of. 
686 ;  robbers  of  spread  over  face  of  land,  686 ;  robbers  of  infest 
land,  689 ;  Nephites  go  against  robbers  of,  692 ;  Nephites  make 
treaty  with  robbers  of,  692. 

Gadiomnah,   city   of,   sunk,  627. 

Gazelem,   stone   prepared   for,   440. 

Genealogy,  of  forefathers,  7  ;  of  father  of  Nephi,  8. 

Gentiles,  Messiah  to  be  made  manifest  to,  25 ;  Lehi  compares  with 
olive  tree,  25  ;  to  receive  fullness  of  gospel,  25  ;  foundation  of  great 
and  abominable  church  among,  33 ;  waters  divide  from  seed  of 
Nephi"s  brethren,  34 ;  upon  land  of  promise,  34 ;  smite  seed  of 
Nephi's  brethren,  34 ;  described,  34 ;  delivered  from  other  nations, 
35 ;  prospered,  35 ;  book  carried  amo  35 ;  not  to  remain  in 
blindness,  36  ;  not  to  destroy  seed  of  brethren,  36  ;  to  stumble,  37  ; 
plain  and  precious  thmgs  to  be  :  est-"ed  to,  37  ;  books  from  Gen- 
tiles to  Jews,  38 ;  Shepherd  to  manifest  himself  unto,  38 ;  to  be 
numbered  among  seed  of  Israel,  39 ;  promisos  to,  39 ;  woe  unto, 
39 ;  fullness  of  gospel  to  come  unto,  44 ;  seed  of  Lehi  scattered 
by,  45  ;  power  of  God  manifested  through,  45  ;  promises  to,  100 ; 
must  be  convinced  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ,  145 ;  smite  seed  of 
Lehi,  146  ;  pride,  greatness,  and  stumbling-block  of,  146  ;  build  up 
many  churches,  146  ;  put  down  power  and  miracles  of  God,  preach 
their  own  learning,  146  ;  grind  upon  face  of  poor,  146  ;  secret  com- 
binations of,  147  ;  and  Jew  alike  unto  God,  14S  ;  shall  be  drunken, 
witu  iniquity,  148  ;  to  be  visited  with  destructions  from  the  Lord, 
148 ;  will  deny  God,  156 ;  shall  say  can  not  be  any  more  Bible, 
156 ;  who  repent  are  covenant  people,  158 ;  Nephi  prophesieth 
concerning,  158  ;  book  written  unto,  158  ;  blessed  because  of  belief 
in  Christ,  646 ;  abominations  among,  646  ;  promises  and  warnings 
to,  647 ;  scourge  to  people  of  this  land,  660  ;  work  to  be  brought 
forth  among,  663  ;  work  of  Christ  to  come  forth  among,  662,  666  ; 
to  be  a  free  people  on  this  land,  662  ;  promises  to,  662  ;  warnings 
concerning,.  663  ;  remnant  of  Jacob  to  tread  down,  663  ;  church  to 
be  established  among,  664 :  three  Nephites  disciples  to  be  among, 
678 ;  commanded  to  be  baptized,  681  ;  ^lormon  writes  to,  694 ; 
written  unto  by  Mormon,  699 ;  to  receive  blessing  reserved  for 
Nephites,    700 ;    admonished    to    repent,    700 ;    remnant  Jacob    to 

tear  in  pieces,  663,  700 ;  warned  by  Mormon  concerning  decrees 
of  God,  717 :  sealed  records  not  to  come  forth  in  days  of  wick- 
edness of,  724 ;  warned  against  secret  combinations,  734  ;  weak- 
ness of  to  be  shown  unto,   748  ;    Moroni  bids  farewell  to,   749. 

Gid,  chief  captain  among  Nephites,  519 ;  and  Teomner  take  city  of 
Manti,  522. 

Gid,  city  of,  taken  by  Amalickiah,  493  ;  Nephites  guarded  by  Laman- 
ites  in,  506;  Moroni  arms  prisoners  in,  507;  surrendered  to  Moroni, 
508 ;  Moroni  causes  Lamanites  to  erect  fortifications  about,  508 ; 
Nephi   and   Lehi  preach   at,   557. 

Giddianhi,  governor  of  society  of  Gadianton,  607 ;  robbers  of  take 
possession  of  lands  vacated  by  Nephites,  610 ;  orders  robbers 
against  Nephites,  611  ;  slain  by  Nephites,  612, 


794  BOOK    OF    MORMON. 

Giddonah,   Amulek   son   of,    334. 

Giddonah,  high  priest  of  Gideon,  411. 

Gideon,  attacks  King  Noah,  2G2 ;  searches  for  King  Noah,  263 ; 
advises  King  Limhi,  271  ;  a  teacher,  299 ;  withstands  teaching  of 
Nehor,  299 ;  slain  by  Nehor,  299 ;  valley  of,  305  ;  Alma  declares 
word  to  church  in  valley  of,  322  ;  Alma  establishes  order  of  church 
in,  326 ;  Korihor  goes  to  land  of,  411  ;  Giddonah,  high  priest  of, 
411  ;  people  of  send  Korihor  to  Zaraherala,  412  ;  Pahoran  flees  to 
land  of,  532  ;  Moroni  joins  Pahoran  in,  534. 

Gidgiddoni,  chief  captain  of  Nephites,  608 ;  great  prophet  and  chief 
judge,  608 ;  arms  Nephites,  610 ;  orders  Nephites  to  pursue  Gadi- 
anton  robbers,  611  ;  robbers  of  besiege  Nephites,  612  ;  surrounds 
army  of  Gadianton  robbers,  613 ;  army  of  destroy  army  of  Gadi- 
anton  robbers,  613 ;  and  Lachoneus  establish  peace,  617 ;  leader 
of  ten  thousand  slain,  702. 

Gifts,  different  administrations  of,  775 ;  every  good  gift  of  Christ, 
776  ;  not  to  be  done  away  except  because  of  sins,  776. 

Gilead,  brother  of  Shared,  fights  Coriantumr  and  is  driven  to  Akish, 
753  ;  assumes  throne  of  Coriantumr,  753  ;  receives  strength  because 
of  secret  combinations,  754  ;   murdered  by  his  high  priest,  754. 

Gilgah,  son  of  Jared,  728. 

Gilgal,  battle  in  valley  of,  753 ;  Coriantumr  defeated  by  Shared  at, 
753  ;  Coriantumr  slays  Shared  in,  753. 

Gilgal,  city  of  sunk,  inhabitants  buried,  626. 

Gilgal,   leader  of  ten  thousand  slain,   702. 

Gimgimno,  city  of  sunk,   627. 

God,  justice  of,  39,  46 ;  wrath  of  poured  out,  41  ;  worketh  not  in 
darkness,  147  ;  lays  down  life,  147  ;  inviteth  all  men  to  partake  of 
goodness  of,  148 ;  commandeth  that  there  be  no  priestcrafts,  147 ; 
commandeth  all  to  have  charity,  147  ;  commands  against  all  iniq- 
uities, 148  ;  denieth  none  that  come  to  him,  148  ;  all  alike  unto,  148. 

Gold,  senine  of,  339 ;  seon  of,  339 ;  shum  of,  339 ;  limnah  of,  339 ; 
antion  of,  339  ;  abundant  among  Nephites  and  Lamanites,  562. 

Gospel,  to  be  preached  among  Jews,  25  ;  Gentiles  to  receiVe  fullness  of, 
25 ;  parts  taken  away,  36 ;  to  be  with  Nephites,  37,  38 ;  to  be 
declared  to  seed  of  Nephi,  159  ;  church  to  be  built  upon,  673  ;  taught 
by  Christ,  674  ;  those  who  reject,  called  Ishmaelites,  etc.,  685 ; 
those  who  deny  miracles  know  not,  710. 

Grave,  must  deliver  up   its  captive  bodies,   106,   107. 

Great   Spirit,   Ammon   called,   367,   368,   370,   375,   384. 

Hagoth,  launches  ship  near  Bountiful  and  Desolation,  540 ;  builds 
other   ships,   541. 

Healing  of  sick,  30. 

Hearthom,  son  of  Lib,  714  ;  succeeds  Lib  as  king,  742  ;  kingdom 
taken   from,   742. 

Hebrew,  language,  altered  by  Nephites,  713. 

Helam,  baptized  by  Alma,  259;  land  of,  274;  city  of,  275;  land  of 
taken  by  Lamanites,  275  ;  guards  set  round  about,  276  ;  Alma  and 
people  depart  from,  279  ;  captivity  of  people  in,  287. 

Helaman,  son   of  Benjamin,  207. 


INDEX.  795 

Helaman,  son  of  Alma,  417 ;  commandment  of  Alma  to,  434  ;  Alma 
commits  plates  to,  commanded  to  keep  records,  437,  489 ;  com- 
manded to  preserve  directors,  439  ;  to  take  care  of  sacred  things, 
443  ;  accomit  of  Nephites  in  days  of,  465  ;  visited  by  Alma,  466 ; 
foretold  destruction  of  Nephites  by  Alma,  466  ;  declares  word  among 
people,  468  ;  and  brethren  establish  the  church,  468  ;  and  brethren 
appoint  priests  and  teachers  over  church,  468  ;  and  brethren  opposed 
by  Amalickiah,  468 ;  and  brethren  high  priests,  469 ;  and  high 
priests  maintain  order  in  church,  473,  484  ;  preaches  and  baptizes, 
480 ;  persuades  people  of  Ammon  not  to  break  oath,  501  ;  chosen 
leader  of  sons  of  people  of  Ammon,  502  ;  epistle  of  to  Moroni,  509  ; 
marches  to  city  of  Judea,  510;  and  army  pursued  by  Lamanites, 
512 ;  and  army  defeat  and  capture  Lamanites,  514 ;  and  army 
return  to  Judea,  515 ;  sends  epistle  to  king  of  Lamanites,  515 ; 
takes  city  of  Cumeni,  516 ;  sends  embassy  to  governor  at  Zara- 
hemla,  520 ;  takes  city  of  Manti,  523 ;  Moroni  reinforces,  535 ; 
returns  to  land  of  Zarahemla,  539 ;  resumes  preaching  of  word, 
539  ;  death  of,  540. 

Helaman,  son  of  Helaman,  receives  sacred  things,  r41  ;  appointed  chief 
judge,  546  ;  servant  of  kills  Kishkumen,  547  ;  filled  judgment  seat 
with  judgment  and  equity,  550 ;  Nephi  and  Lehi  sons  of,  550 ; 
aeath  of,  552  ;  words  of  to  sons,  556 ;  gives  son  Nephi  charge  of 
records,  600  ;  departs  and  no  more  heard  of,  600. 

Helem,  accompanies  Ammon  to  land  of  Nephi,  227. 

Hell,  must  deliver  up  dead,  107  ;  chains  of,  352  ;  pains  of,  353,  435  ; 
powers  of,  480  ;  gates  of  not  to  prevail,  635. 

Helorum,   son   of  Benjamin,   207. 

Hem,  accompanies  Ammon  to  land  of  Nephi,  227. 

Hermounts,  wilderness  of,  307. 

Heshlon,   Shared  flees  to  plains  of,   753. 

Heth,  son  of  Com,  715,  738 ;  embraces  secret  plans,  738 ;  dethrones 
Com,   738 ;   perishes  by   famine,   739. 

Heth,  son  of  Hearthom,  714  ;  land  of,  732  ;  born  in  captivity,  743. 

High  priests.  Alma,  274,  297 ;  Alma  retains  office  of,  312 ;  Ammon 
high  priest  over  people  of,  411  ;  and  lawyers  angry  because  of 
testimony  concerning  Christ,  619  ;  could  not  condemn  to  death,  619. 

High  priests,  of  King  Noah,  240  ;  Abinadi  examined  by,  244  ;  teach  law 
of  Moses,  245 ;  flee  into  wilderness,  263,  264 ;  seize  daughters  of 
Lamanites,  264  ;  seed  of  high  priests  of  King  Noah,  395  ;  Helaman 
and  brethren  high  priests,  468 ;  Helaman  and  maintain  order  in 
church,  473. 

Highways,  and  roads  from  city  to  city,  617  ;  broken  up,  624. 

Himni,  son  of  Mosiah,  289 ;  teaches  people  of  Zarahemla,  289 ; 
account  of,  388 ;  rejoices,  397 ;  rejoices  in  meeting  Alma,  403 ; 
remains  at  Zarahemla,  417. 

History,   of  Nephites  on  other  plates,  98,   167. 

Holy  Ghost,  denial  of,  unpardonable  sin,  445 ;  to  bear  record,  634 
twelve  disciples  given  power  to  give,  653  ;  fell  upon  disciples,  655 
to  be  sanctified  by,  674  ;  beareth  record  of  Father  and  Son,  677 
did  not  come  upon  any  because  of  wickedness  and  unbelief,  688 
power  given   twelve  to  bestow,   760  ;  gifts  administered   by,   775. 


796  BOOK    OF    MORMON. 

Holy    One    of    Israel,    DO ;    they    who    believe    in,    108,    100 ;    keeper   of 

gate,  110  ;  is  Son  of  God,  158. 
Holy  Order  of  God,  men  ordained  to,  484  ;  Moroni  speaks  of,  746. 

Holy    stand    of   Zoramites,    417. 

Husbands,   wickedness   and   abominations   of,    172 ;    love   wives,    173. 

Idol  gods,   Lamanites  offer  Nephites  as   sacrifices   to,   697. 

Idolatry,   among   Nephites,    700. 

Inequality,  of  church,  311  ;  none  among  church,  301  ;  because  of  sin, 
407  ;  among  Nephites,  618. 

Interpreters,  Ammon  speaks  of,  233  ;  sealed  up   by   Mormon,  724. 

Irreantum,  sea  called,  53. 

Isaac,  offering  of  a  similitude  of  Only  Begotten   Son,   175. 

Isabel,   harlot  of   Siron,  445. 

Isaiah,  words  of,  45,  647,  660,  661,  665  ;  taught  by  Nephi,  67  ;  taught 
by  Jacob,  98 ;  words  of  written  by  Nephi,  115,  116,  130 ;  Nephi 
speaks  concerning  words  of,  139 ;  quoted  by  Abinadi,  245,  254  ; 
prophecies  of  to  be  searched,  707. 

Isaiah,   one  of   twelve,   654. 

Ishmael,  and  family  brought  into  wilderness,  17  ;  daughters  of  rebel 
against,  17  ;  mother  and  children  plead  for  Nephi,  19  ;  and  family 
join  Lehi,  19 ;  daughters  of  marry,  48 ;  sons  of  murmur,  49 ; 
daughters  of  mourn,  51  ;  dies,  51  ;  sons  of  chastened,  52  ;  sons  of 
spoken  to  by   Lehi,  91  ;   sons  of  angry  with  Nephi,  92. 

Ishmael,   Giddonah   son  of,   334;   descendant  of  Aminadi,   334. 

Ishmael,  land  of  visited  by  Ammon,  364  ;  Ammon  and  Lamoni  return 
to,  382  ;  synagogues  built  in,  383  ;  people  of  converted,  390  ;  Ammon 
and  brethren  go  to  land  of,   391. 
Ishmaelites,    those    who    reject    gospel    called,    etc.,    685 ;    war    with 

Nephites,  688  ;  called  Lamanites,  688. 
Israel,  compared  to  olive  tree,  25,  44  ;  to  be  scattered  and  gathered, 
25 ;  fights  against  apostles,  30 ;  Gentiles  to  be  numbered  among 
seed  of,  39 ;  covenants  of  the  Lord  unto,  39 ;  covenants  to,  40 ; 
work  of  the  Father  to  commence  among,  41  ;  sealed  books  to  come 
unto,  42  ;  righteous  branch  raised  up  unto,  87  ;  Messiah  to  be  made 
manifest  to  in  latter  days,  87  ;  house  of  to  be  restored,  88,  156 ; 
tribes  of  to  write  words  of  Lord,  158  ;  to  be  gathered  home,  158  ; 
likened  to  tame  olive  tree,  177  ;  to  be  restored  to  land  of,  100,  140, 
645,  660  ;  to  be  gathered  to  own  lands,  616,  645,  660  ;  Christ  speaks 
to,  629  ;  other  tribes  of,  645  ;  Lord  to  remember  covenant  to,  646  ; 
Christ  to  go  to  lost  tribes  of,  648  ;  covenant  with,  659  ;  Mormon 
writes  to,  694 ;  to  be  restored  to  land  of  inheritance,  699 ;  Mor- 
mon speaks  to  remnant  of  house  of,  703. 
Jacob,  born  in  wilderness,  61  ;  Lehi  speaks  to,  82  ;  flees  with  Nephi 
into  wilderness,  95  ;  consecration  of,  97,  168 ;  speaks  to  people  of 
Nephi,  98 ;  not  to  be  ashamed,  152  ;  Nephi  commands  concerning 
small  plates,  167  ;  distinguishes  the  people,  168  ;  teaches  in  temple, 
168,  169 ;  magnifies  oflace,  168 ;  words  of,  169 ;  speaks  concerning 
grosser  crimes,  171  ;  plates  of  made  by  hand  of  Nephi,  175  ;  minis- 
ters much,  175  ;  prophecies,  177  ;  exhortation  of,  188  ;  Sherem  comes 
to,   190  ;   confounds   Sherem,   190  ;   prayer   of  answered,   192  ;   begins 


INDEX.  797 

to  be  old,  193  ;  people  of  tried,  193  ;  delivers  plates  to  son  Enos, 
193  ;  makes  end  of  writing  upon  plates,  193. 

Jacob,  called  king  of  secret  band,  621  ;  and  people  go  north  to  estab- 
lish   kingdom,    621. 

Jacob,  city  of,  sunk,  627. 

Jacob,  Lamanite  leader  of  Mulek,  497 ;  marches  against  Teancum, 
497 ;  surrounded  by  Moroni  and  Levi,  498 ;  killed,  499 ;  army  of, 
surrenders  to  Moroni,  499. 

Jacob,  remnant  of,  471. 

Jacobites,  among  those  who  believed,  685  ;  war  with  Lamanites,  688  ; 
called  Nephitqs,  688. 

Jacobugath,  city  of,  burned,  627.  ♦ 

Jacom,   son   of   Jared,   728. 

Jared,  came  from  great  tower,  715 ;  language  of,  not  confounded, 
715  ;  promised  choice  land,  716  ;  seed  of,  and  of  brethren  to  become 
a  great  nation,  716  ;  and  brother  go  uito  valley  of  Nimrod,  716 ; 
ana  brethren  brought  to  great  sea,  718  ;  embark  for  promised  land, 

727  ;  reach  promised  land,   727  ;  number  of  sons  and   daughters  of, 

728  ;  all  of  sons  but  Orihah  refuse  to  be  king,   729  ;  death  of,  729. 
Jared,  son  of  Omer,  732  ;  rebels  against  father,  732  ;  dwells  in  land  of 

Heth,  732 ;  carries  father  into  captivity,  732  ;  defeated  by  Esrom 
and  Coriantumr,  732  ;  daughter  of,  733 ;  anointed  king,  735  ;  mur- 
dered, 736. 

Jaredites,  perish  because  of  willfulness,   774. 

Jarom  writes  according  to  command  of  Enos,  197. 

Jashon,  Nephites  flee  to  land  of,  691  ;  city  of,  near  land  where 
records  were   deposited,  691. 

Jeneum,  leader  of  ten  thousand  Nephites,  702. 

Jeremiah,  one  of  the  twelve,  654. 

Jeremiah,    plates   of   brass   contain   prophecies   of,    15. 

Jershon,  land  of,  given  to  Anti-Nephi-Lehies,  404 ;  they  take  posses- 
sion of,  405  ;  Korihor  goes  to  land  of,  411  ;  people  of,  banish  Kori- 
hor,  411  ;  Alma  and  Amulek  and  brethren  go  to,  432 ;  believers 
from  among  Zoramites  come  to,  432 ;  people  of  Ammon  depart 
from,  433  ;  Nephites  prepare  for  war  in  land  of,  456  ;  Moroni  meets 
Lamanites  in  borders  of,  457. 

Jerusalem,  destruction  of,  prophesied,  2,  3,  24,  77 ;  abominations  of, 
3 ;  Nephi  and  brethren  return  to,  7,  10,  17 ;  Lord  brought  people 
out  of,  54  ;  people  of,  to  be  scourged,  66  ;  thirty  years  after  leav- 
ing, 97 ;  people  of,  slain  and  made  captives,  99 ;  people  of,  to 
return  again,  99,  140;  Lord  to  show  himself  to  people  of,  105,  140; 
Nephi  declares  had  been  destroyed,  140  ;  wars  and  rumors  of  wars 
among,  140  ;  to  crucify  Messiah,  141  ;  to  be  destroyed  again,  141  ; 
kings  reign  five  hundi-ed  nine  years  after  leaving,  298 ;  Son  of 
God  to  be  born  at,  323  ;  six  hundred  years,  600  ;  six  hundred  nine 
years,  604  ;  city  of,  water  comes  instead  thereof,  627 ;  new,  659  ; 
to  be  inhabited  again,  662  ;  twelve  in  land  of,  to  judge  tribes  of 
Israel,  694  ;  twelve  in  land  of,  to  judge  twelve  chosen  on  Western 
Continent,  695  ;  to  be  rebuilt,  750  ;  inhabitants  to  be  blessed,  751. 

Jerusalem,  on  borders  of  Mormon,  380  ;  city  of,  381. 


798  BOOK    OF    MORMON. 

Jesus  Christ,  to  be  Messiah,  142 ;  no  other  name  whereby  man  can 
be  saved,  142  ;  gospel  to  be  declared,  159  ;  God  of  promised  land, 
717 ;  shows  himself  to  brother  of  Jared,  721,  722  ;  shows  brother 
of  Jared  all  inhabitants  of  earth,  723  ;  statement  concerning  Gen- 
tiles, 724 ;  promises  and  admonitions  of,  724  ;  commands  baptism, 
725;   Emer  sees  coming  of,   737.      (See  under  Christ.) 

Jews,  learning  of,  1  ;  Lehi  mocked  by,  3  ;  angry  at  Lehi,  4  ;  record  of, 
7 :  plates  of  brass  contain  record  of,  15 ;  gospel  to  be  preached 
among,  25  ;  dwindle  in  unbelief,  25  ;  book  received  from  mouth  of, 
35 ;  Shepherd  to  manifest  himself  unto,  38 ;  book  proceedeth  out 
of  the  mouth  of,  41,  42 ;  restoration  of,  in  latter  days,  45  ;  not 
confounded  nor  scattered  again,  45 ;  to  be  scattered  among  all 
nations,  141  ;  to  be  restored  again,  141  ;  words  of  Lord  to  be 
brought  unto,  141  ;  must  be  convinced  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ, 
145 ;  and  Gentiles  alike  unto  God,  148 ;  shall  be  drunken  with 
iniquity,  148  ;  to  be  visited  with  destructions  from  the  Lord,  148  ; 
Bible  to  proceed  from,  156  ;  diligence  of,  156 ;  to  write  words  of 
the  Lord,  158  ;  who  do  not  repent  cast  off,  158  ;  Nephi  prophesies 
concerning,  158  ;  to  begin  to  believe  in  Christ,  159  ;  to  gather,  159  ; 
to  become  a  delightsome  people,  159 ;  stiff-necked,  177 ;  looked 
beyond  mark,  177 ;  reject  the  stone,  177 ;  three  Nephite  disciples 
to  be  among,  678  ;  records  to  go  to  unbelieving  of,  699. 

John,  name  of  the  apostle  of  the  Lamb,  42 ;  revelations  of,  to  be 
unfolded  to  all  people,  725. 

Jonas,   son  of  Timothy,  one  of  the  twe'lve,  654. 

Jordan,  Nephites  repulse  Lamanites  at  city  of,  698. 

Joseph,  son  of  Lehi,  born  in  wilderness,  61  ;  spoken  to  by  Lehi,  87  ;  seed 
not  to  be  utterly  destroyed,  87  ;  seed  of,  to  hearken  to  words  of  book, 
90  ;  one  mighty  to  be  raised  from  seed  of,  90  ;  to  hearken  to  words 
of  Nephi,  90 :  flees  with  Nephi  into  wilderness,  95 ;  consecration 
of,  97,  168  ;  labors  of,  168. 

Joseph  of  Egypt,  Lehi  descendant  of,  15,  87,  335 ;  covenants  made 
unto,  87 ;  seer  raised  up  unto,  87 ;  fruit  of  loins  to  write,  87 ; 
spokesman  for  choice  seer,  89  ;  seer  to  write,  89  ;  fruit  of  loins  of, 
to  cry  from  dust,  89 ;  Nephi  speaks  concerning  prophecies  of,  90 ; 
promise  to,  142  ;  righteous  bi-anch  from  loins  of,  172  ;  remnant  of 
seed  of,  471,  630  ;  part  of  coat  of,  preserved,  471. 

Josephites,  among  those  who  believed,  685  ;  war  with  Lamanites,  688  ; 
called   Nephites,   688. 

Josh,  city  of,  burned,  627. 

Josh,   leader  of  ten   thousand   Nephites,   slain,   702. 

Joshua,   Nephites  come  to  land  of,  689. 

Judea,   Helaman   marches   to   city    of,   510 ;   Helaman    returns   to,   515. 

Judge,  Nephihah  made  chief,  312  ;  chief  j.  of  Ammonihah,  354  ;  after 
order  of  Nehor,  354  ;  smites  Alma  and  Ammonihah,  355  ;  of  Ammoni- 
hah slain  by  fall  of  pi'ison  walls,  356  ;  chief  j.  sends  proclamation 
concerning  people  of  Anti-Nephi-Lehi,  404  ;  Nephihah,  chief  j.  dies, 
489  ;  Pahoran  appointed  chief,  489 ;  death  of  told  by  Nephi,  573 ; 
slain,  573,  574 ;  Seezoram  name  of,  who  was  slain,  575 ;  chief  j. 
Lachoneus,  600 ;   Lachoneus   murdered,  620. 


INDEX.  799 

Judges,   appointment  of,   recommended   by   Mosiah,   293  ;   to  be  judged 
by    voice    of    people,    295 ;    people    make    choice    of,    297  ;    reign    of, 
commences  in  Zarahemla,  297  ;   first  year,  298  ;  laws  established  by 
Mosiah    recognized    under,    298 ;    second   year,    301  ;    fifth   year,    303, 
309,  310  ;  voice  of  people  laid  before,  303  ;  sixth  year,  310 ;  seventh 
year,  310  ;  eighth  year,  310,  311  ;  ninth  year,  311,  312,  326  ;   tenth 
year,  326,  335,  355,  358  ;  eleventh  year,  359,  360  ;  fourteenth  year, 
360,    362 ;    fifteenth    year,    406 ;    sixteenth    year,    409 ;    seventeenth 
year,    409,    433 ;    eighteenth    year;    433,    456,    465 ;    nineteenth    year 
466,    468,    473,    478,    481,    484 ;    lower,    among    the    Nephites,    486 
twentieth    year,    485,    486 ;    twenty-first    year,    486,    487 ;    twenty 
second    and    twenty-third     years,     487  ;     twenty-fourth    year,    489 
twenty-fifth    year,    490,    491,    494 ;    twenty-sixth    year,    494,    496 
twenty-seventh     year,     496,     497  ;     twenty-eighth     year,     497,     503 
twenty-ninth  year,   503,  509  ;   thirtieth  year,   509,  525,   535  ;   thirty 
first   year,   535,   538;     chief,   chosen,   539;    thirty-fourth   year,   681 
thirty-fifth    year,    540,    681  ;    thirty-sixth    year,    540,    681  ;    thirty 
seventh   year,   540,   541,   682  ;   thirty-eighth   year,   541,   682 ;   thirty 
ninth  year,  541,  542,  682  ;   fortieth  year,  542,  544  ;  forty-first  year 
544,   546,   682 ;   forty-second   year,   546,   548,  682 ;   forty-third   year 
548  ;  forty-fourth  year,  548  ;  forty-fifth  year,  548  ;  forty-sixth  year 
548,    550 ;    forty-seventh,    forty-eighth,    and    forty-ninth    years,    550 
forty-ninth  year,   551,   682  ;   fiftieth  year,   551  ;   fifty -first  year,   552, 
6o2;   fifty-second  year,  552,  682;   fifty-third   year,   552;   fifty-fourth 
year,  552  ;  fifty-sixth  year,  552  ;  fifty-seventh  year,  553  ;  fifty-eighth 
year,    553 ;    fifty-ninth    year,    553,    682 ;    sixtieth    year,    553 ;    sixty- 
first  year,  554  ;   sixty-second  year,  554,  561  ;   sixty-third  year,   562  : 
sixty-fourth  year,   562  ;  sixty-fifth  year,  562,   563  ;   sixty-sixth   year 
563 ;    sixty-seventh    year,    563,    565 ;    sixty-eighth    year,    565,    566 
sixty-ninth    year,    566 ;    belong   to    secret    band    of    Gadianton,    570 
seventy-first  and  seventy-second  years,  579,  683  ;  seventy-third  year 
579 ;    seventy-fourth    year,    580 ;    seventy-fifth    year,    580 ;    seventy 
sixth    year,    581  ;    seventy-seventh    year,    582 ;    seventy-eighth    year 
582 ;     seventy-ninth    year,    582,    683 ;     eightieth    year,    582,    583 

■    eighty-first   year,    583;    eighty-second    year,    583;    eighty-third    year 

'  583 ;  eighty-fourth  year,  583 ;  eighty-fifth  year,  583,  584 ;  eighty 
sixth  year,  586,  598  ;  eighty-seventh,  eighty-eighth,  and  eighty-ninth 
years,  598  ;  ninetieth  year,  598,  599  ;  ninety-first  year,  600  ;  ninety- 
second  year,  600,  603  ;  ninety-third,  ninety-fourth,  and  ninety-fifth 
years,  603  ;  ninety-sixth  to  one  hundredth  year,  604  ;  one  hundredth 
and  one  hundredth  and  tenth  years,  683  ;  one  hundred  and  ninety- 
fourth  year,  683  ;  two  hundredth  year,  684  ;  two  hundred  and  first 
year,  684  ;  put  to  death  secretly,  619  ;  complaint  against,  619  ;  judged 
by  chief  judgB  according  to  law,  619  ;  enter  into  secret  combination 
to  destroy  government  and  establish  king,  620. 

Judgment,  all  men  appear  before,  107,  108 ;  spotless  at  judgment 
seat,   165. 

Justice  could  not  be  destroyed,  453  ;  no  j.  without  law,  454. 

Kib,    son    of   Orihah,    715,    729;    taken    captive   by   Corihor,    729;   and 


800  BOOK    OF    MORMON. 

people  dwell  in  captivity,  730  ;  begets  Shule,  730  ;  kingdom  restored 
to,   730 ;   bestows  kingdom  on   Shule,   730. 

Kimnor,  Akish  son  of,   733. 

Kim,  son  of  Morianton,  714  ;  made  king,  741  ;  brought  into  captivity, 
741  ;  death  of,   741. 

King,  Nephi  refuses  to  be,  96;  Nephi  anoints  a  man  to  be,  167; 
to  be  known  by  the  name  of  Nephi,  168 ;  reign  of  second,  168 ; 
Alma  refuses  to  be,  273  ;  people  make  choice  of,  292  ;  Mosiah  com- 
mands that  there  be  no  k.,  295  ;  appointed  in  Zarahemla,  makes 
alliance  with  Lamanites,  532 ;  Pachus,  k.  of  dissenters,  executed, 
534 ;  judges  seek  to  establish,  619 ;  Jacob  appointed  k.  of  secret 
band,  621  ;  sons  of  Jared  refuse  to  be,   729  ;   Orihah  chosen,  729. 

Kings,  reigns  of,  274  ;  incidents  of  righteous  and   unrighteous,   295. 

Kishkumen,  city  of,  burned,  627. 

Kishkumen,  murdex's  Pahoran,  543 ;  secret  covenant  of,  543,  547 ; 
seeks  to  destroy  Helaman,  547  ;  Gadianton  leader  of  band  of,  547  ; 
slain  by  servant  of  Helaman,  547  ;  band  of  murderers  formed  by, 
56o  ;  signs  and  secret  words  of  band  of  ;  laws  given  by,  564, 

Kish,  son  of  Corom,  714  ;  is  made  king,  741  ;  death  of,   741. 

Korihor,  preaches  shall  be  no  Christ,  410  ;  preaches  against  the  atone- 
ment, 410 ;  goes  to  land  of  Jershon,  411  ;  banished  by  people  of 
Jershon,  411  ;  goes  to  Gideon,  411  ;  addresses  Giddonah,  411  ; 
banished  by  people  of  Gideon,  412 ;  brought  before  Alma,  412  ; 
asks  Alma  for  a  sign,  414 ;  struck  dumb,  414 ;  begs  for  support, 
416  ;  dies,  416. 

Kumen,   one  of  the   twelve,  654. 

Kumenonhi,  one  of  the  twelve,  654. 

Laban,  has  record  of  Jews,  7 ;  Laman  asks  records  of,  7 ;  refuses 
records,  8  ;  records  demanded  of,  9  ;  Lehi's  sons  flee  from,  9  ;  angel 
speaks  to,  9  ;  slain  by  Nephi,  11  ;  descendant  of  Joseph,  15  ;  he  and 
fathers  kept  records,  15, 

Labor,  all  commanded  to,  285  ;  priest  and  others  do,  301. 

Laborer,  in  Zion,  to  labor  for  Zion,  148 ;  to  perish  if  labor  for 
money,   148. 

Lachoneus,  chief  judge  and  governor,  600 ;  receives  epistle  from 
leader  of  robbers,  606  ;  sends  proclamation  to  people  to  gather,  608  ; 
guards  from  robbers,  608 ;  words  and  prophecy  of,  608 ;  appoints 
chief  captains,   608  ;   helps  to  bring  peace  in   land,   617. 

Lachoneus,  son  of  Lachoneus,  fills  seat  of  father,  619  ;  murdered,  620. 

Lama,  leader  of  ten  thousand  Nephites,  702, 

Laman,  king  enters  into  treaty  with  Zeniff,  229  ;  craftiness  of,  brings 
people  of  Zeniff  into  bondage,  235 ;  stirs  people  to  war  with  peo- 
ple of  Zeniff,  235  ;  death  of,  237  ;   son  reigns,  237, 

Laman,  murmuring  of,  5,  49,  54 ;  hardness  and  cursing  of,  6 ;  lot 
falls  to,  7  ;  angel  speaks  to,  9  ;  and  Lemuel  angry  with  Sam  and 
Nephi,  9 ;  returns  to  Jerusalem,  9,  17 ;  rebellion  of,  17,  58,  61  ; 
repentance  of,  19  ;  seed  become  dark  and  loathsome,  33  ;  proposes  to 
slay  Lehi  and  Nephi,  51  ;  chastened  of  the  Lord,  52  ;  shaken,  59  ; 
about  to  worship  Nephi,  59  ;  binds  Nephi,  61 ;  sons  and  daughters 


INDEX.  801 

spoken  to  by  Lehi,  90  ;  seed  not  to  perish,  91  ;  sons  of,  angry  with 
Nephi,   92. 

Laman,   river  of,   5,   48. 

Laman,  servant  of  king  of  Lamanites,  goes  to  city  of  Gid,  506. 

Laman,  son  of  Laman,  repulses  people  of  Limhi,  268  ;  son  of,  appoints 
Amulon  and  brethren  teachers,  277. 

Laman,  city  of,  burned  with  fire,  627. 

Lamanites,  people  called,  96  ;  hatred  of,  96  ;  Nephi  ruler  and  teacher 
of,  97  ;  seed  of,  cursed  with  blackness,  97  ;  those  mixing  seed  with, 
to  be  cursed  ;  idle  and  evil  people,  97  ;  to  become  white  and  delight- 
some people,  159 ;  distinguished  from  Nephites,  168 ;  greater  iniq- 
uity than,  172  ;  to  scourge  Nephites,  173 ;  more  righteous  than 
Nephites,  173 ;  observe  command  to  have  but  one  wife,  173 ;  to 
become  blessed  people,  173 ;  love  their  wives,  173 ;  efforts  to  re- 
tore,  192 ;  records  of  Nephites  to  come  unto,  195 ;  become  wild, 
bloodthirsty,  and  ferocious,  195  ;  war  with  Nephites,  196,  198,  205  ; 
love  murder,  198  ;  driven  out,  206  ;  people  depart  from  Lehi-Nephi, 
235  ;  war  with  people  of  Zenifif,  237  ;  ferocity  of,  238  ;  driven  from 
land  of  Zeniff,  239  ;  attack  people  of  Noah,  241,  262  ;  exact  tribute 
of  King  Noah,  262";  oath  of  king  of,  264  ;  daughters  of  seized  by 
priests  of  Noah,  264  ;  attack  people  of  Limhi,  265  ;  king  of,  wounded, 
265  ;  pursue  people  of  Limhi,  273  ;  take  possession  of  land  of  Helam, 
275  ;  find  priests  of  King  Noah,  276  ;  discover  land  of  Helam,  276  ; 
break  covenant  with  Alma,  276 ;  king  of,  appoints  Amulon  king 
01  land  of  Helam,  276  ;  taught  language  of  Nephi,  277  ;  taught  to 
keep  records,  277 ;  grow  in  civilization,  277  ;  more  numerous  than 
people  of  Zarahemla  and  of  Nephi,  279 ;  sons  of  Mosiah  go  to 
preach  to,  291  ;  joined  by  Amlicites,  305 ;  king  of,  attacked  by 
Alma,  306  ;  defeated  by  Nephites,  306  ;  skins  dark,  naked,  and  heads 
shorn,  307 ;  army  of,  attacks  Nephites,  309 ;  destroy  people  of 
Ammonihah,  359  ;  invade  borders  of  Noah,  359  ;  defeated  by  Zoram, 
360 ;  sons  of  Mosiah  teach  among,  362 ;  condition  of,  364 ;  bind 
Ammon,  364  ;  converted  to  the  Lord,  376  ;  see  angels,  376  ;  king  of, 
smites  Ammon,  379  ;  king  of,  smitten  by  Ammon,  379  ;  and  others 
build  city  of  Jerusalem,  381  ;  many  converted  by  sons  of  Mosiah, 
382  ;  king  of,  preached  to  by  Aaron,  384  ;  stricken,  385  ;  raised  by 
Aaron,  386  ;  king  of,  and  household  converted,  386  ;  king  of,  sends 
proclamation,  387,  388 ;  divided  from  Nephites,  387 ;  territory  of, 
387 ;  fortified  against  by  Nephites,  388 ;  king  of,  protects  sons  of 
Mosiah,  388  ;  people  in  lands  of  Ishmael,  Middoni,  Shilom,  Shemlon, 
and  cities  of  Nephi,  Lemuel,  and  Shimnilom,  converted,  390 ; 
Amulonites,  Amalekites,  and  Lamanites  rebel  against  king  of  Anti- 
Nephi-Lehies,  391  ;  king  of  dies,  391  ;  slay  people  of  Anti-Nephi- 
Lehi,  394 ;  throw  down  weapons,  394  ;  join  people  of  God,  394 ; 
swear  vengeance  against  the  Nephites,  395 ;  converted,  395  ;  slay 
seed  of  Amulon,  396 ;  some  join  people  of  Anti-Nephi-Lehi,  396 ; 
follow  people  of  Ammon  into  wilderness,  405 ;  great  number  of, 
slain,  405 ;  driven  and  slain,  405 ;  with  Zoramites  make  prepara- 
tions for  war,  433 ;  war  with  Nephites,  433,  456 ;  Zoramites  be- 
come,   456;    come    into    land    of    Antionum,    456;    Zoramites    and 


802  BOOK    OF    MORMON. 

Amalekites  made  chief  captains  over,  456 ;  compound  of  different 
races,  457 ;  army  nalsed,  except  Zoramites  and  Amalekites,  458 ; 
march  by  head  of  river  Sidon,  458  ;  are  attacked  by  Nephites  under 
Lehi  at  Sidon,  460 ;  flee  toward  Sidon,  460  ;  met  by  Moroni,  460  ; 
flee  toward  Manti,  460 ;  fight  desperately,  460  ;  flee  before  Moroni, 
461  ;  surrounded  at  Sidon,  462 ;  many  surrender,  and  depart  into 
wilderness,  464  ;  slaughter  great  among,  465 ;  entire  army  dis- 
armed and  allowed  to  depart,  465  ;  Amalickiah  stirs  up  to  anger, 
473 ;  king  of,  issues  proclamation  to  his  people,  473 ;  Amalickiah 
given  command  of,  473  ;  portion  of,  flee  to  Onidah,  474  ;  Amalickiah 
seeks  kingdom,  474  ;  king  of,  slain  by  servant  of  Amalickiah,  476  ; 
servants  of  king  of,  join  people  of  Ammon,  476 ;  queen  of,  sum- 
mons Amalickiah,  477 ;  Amalickiah  made  king  of,  477 ;  stirred  up 
against  Nephites,  478 ;  approach  city  of  Ammonihah,  481  ;  aston- 
ished at  preparation  of  Nephites,  482  ;  attack  Noah,  483  ;  many  slain 
among,  484  ;  flee  to  wilderness,  484 ;  driven  out  of  east  wilder 
ness  by  Moroni,  485  ;  Amalickiah  preparing  for  war  against  Ne 
phites,  491  ;  Amalickiah  heads  army  of,  491  ;  take  cities  under 
Amalickiah,  493 ;  met  by  Teancum,  493 ;  retreat  to  Mulek,  495 
Ammoron  made  king  of,  495  ;  armies  of,  march  against  Teancum 
497 ;  chief  captains  flee  from  Lehi,  498 ;  surrounded  by  Moron 
and  Lehi,  498 ;  surrender  to  Moroni,  499 ;  prisoners  of,  taken  to 
Bountiful,  500  ;  surrender  to  Moroni,  508  ;  prisoners  of  set  to  work 
to  fortify  Gid,  508  ;  take  Manti,  Zeezrom,  Cumeni,  Antiparah,  510  ; 
overtaken  by  Antipus,  514 ;  Helaman  turned  upon  by,  514  ;  cap- 
tured by  Helaman,  514,  515  ;  prisoners  of,  sent  to  Zarahemla,  515  ; 
Helaman  sends  epistle  to,  515  ;  leave  city  of  Antiparah,  515 ;  lose 
city  of  Manti,  522  ;  attack  city  of  Nephihah,  525  ;  capture  Nephihah, 
525  ;  join  people  of  Ammon,  537  ;  flee  from  land  of  Moroni,  538  ; 
war  on  people  of  Moronihah,  542 ;  wage  war  on  Nephites,  544 ; 
surrounded  and  defeated  by  Moronihah  and  Lehi,  546 ;  Nephites 
become,  550  ;  go  against  Nephites  in  battle,  553  ;  obtain  possession 
of  Zarahemla,  553  ;  Nephi  and  Lehi  preach  to,  557  ;  eight  thousand 
of,  baptized,  558 ;  cast  Nephi  and  Lehi  into  prison,  558 ;  yield 
possession  of  land  to  Nephites,  561  ;  become  righteous  people,  561  ; 
«o  to  land  northward,  562  ;  grow  in  belief  of  God,  565 ;  preach 
word  of  God,  566 ;  destroy  Gadiantons  by  preaching,  566  ;  Samuel 
a  prophet  of,  586  ;  join  Gadianton  robbers,  603  ;  fight  against  Gadi- 
antons, 605 ;  unite  with  Nephites,  6C5  ;  curse  taken  from,  605 ; 
Christ  appears  to,  632 ;  all  converted  to  Christ,  681  ;  a  people 
called,  685 ;  rejected  gospel,  685 ;  become  exceeding  wicked,  686 ; 
war  with  Nephites,  688 ;  beaten  by  Nephites,  688 ;  war  with  Ne- 
phites, 689 ;  drive  Nephites  ont  of  Angola  and  land  of  David, 
689  ;  Aaron  king  of,  690  ;  pursue  Nephites  to  land  of  .Tashon,  691  ; 
come  against  Nephites  again,  692 ;  flee  before  Nephites,  692 ;  Ne- 
phites make  treaty  with,  692  ;  king  of,  sends  epistle  to  Mormon,  693  : 
Nephites  beat,  693 ;  drive  Nephites  out  of  Desolation,  695  :  come 
against  Teancum,  696 ;  repulsed  by  Nephites  at  Teancum,  696 ; 
come  again  to  battle  with  Nephites,  696 ;  regain  Desolation,  696  ; 
offer  women   and   children   as  sacrifices,   697  ;   are  driven   from   land 


INDEX.  803 

by  Nephites,  697 ;  beat  Nephites  at  Desolation,  S97  ;  come  against 
Nephites  ar  Jordan,  are  driven  back,  698 ;  beat  Nephites  again, 
698 ;  Moroni  sends  epistle  to  king  of,  701  ;  destroy  Nephites  at 
Cumorah,  702  ;  at  war  among  themseves,  705  ;  put  to  death  those 
who  will  not  deny  Christ,  760  ;  take  prisoners  from  tower  of  Sher- 
rizah  and  feed  women  on  flesh  of  husbands,  children  upon  flesh  of 
fathers,    772 ;    Moroni   writes    unto,    774. 

Lamb  of  God,  Son  of  eternal  Father,  28,  32  ;  among  men,  29  ;  lifted 
upon  cross,  30 ;  multitudes  fight  against,  30 ;  plainness  in,  36 ; 
to  be  manifest  to  seed  of  Nephi,  37  ;  book  of,  proceedeth  from  Jew, 
38  ;  records  to  witness  of,  38  ;  all  men  must  come  unto,  38  ;  words 
of,  38 ;  church  of,  40 ;  numbers  few,  40 ;  baptism  of,  161  ;  Holy 
Ghost   descends   upon,   161. 

Lamoni,  descendant  of  Ishmael,  king  of  Lamanites,  365 ;  Ammon 
becomes  servant  of,  365  ;  traditions  of,  367,  370 ;  father  of,  king 
over  all  land,  368;  taught  by  Ammon,  369;  spoken  to  by  Ammon, 
371  ;  falls  to  earth,  372,  374  ;  arises,  373,  376  ;  teaches  people,  376  ; 
and  Ammon  go  to  Middoni,  377 ;  meets  father  of  Lamoni,  377 ; 
commanded  to  slay  Ammon,  378 ;  secures  release  of  brethren  of 
Ammon,  380,  382 ;  returns  to  land  of  Ishmael,  382 ;  builds  syna- 
gogues, 383 ;  and  Anti-Nephi-Lehi  counseled  with  Ammon  and 
brethren,   391. 

Land  northward,  people  depart  into,  540  ;  second  migration  into,  541  ; 
emigration  to,  from  Zarahemla,  548  ;  Nephi  and  Lehi  and  Laman- 
ites go  to,  562 ;  whole  face  of  changed,  624 ;  Lamanites  give  to 
Nephites,   692. 

Land  of  promise,  6,  11  ;  plates  carried  to,  16  ;  seed  to  be  raised  up  in, 
17  ;  led  unto  25,  30  ;  mist  of  darkness  upon,  31  ;  visitations  upon, 
31  ;  discovered,  34  ;  to  be  led  toward,  54  ;  driven  before  wind  unto, 
61  ;  Lehi  and  company  arrive  at,  63 ;  beasts  of  every  kind,  63 ; 
ores  found,  63  ;  Lehi  speaks  of,  77  ;  decrees  of  God  concerning,  717, 
718;  people  who  possess,  will  be  free,  717;  barges  driven  toward, 
727  ;  people  of  Jared  land   upon,   727. 

Language  of  Lehi,  2  ;  of  Egyptians,  2  ;  of  people  of  Zarahemla  cor- 
rupted, 201  ;  people  of  Zarahemla  taught  I.  of  Mosiah,  202  ;  Benja- 
min teaches  sons  1.  of  fathers,  207  ;  of  Egyptians,  207  ;  of  Nephites, 
234 ;  of  Nephi  taught  among  Lamanites,  277 ;  confounded  by  the 
Lord,  means  of  interpretation  of,  291,  292  ;  no  other  people  knew 
1.  of  Moroni,  713 ;  of  Jaredites  not  confounded,  715  ;  brother  ot 
Jared  confounded,  writes  in,  722  ;  interpretation  of,  by  Holy  Spirit, 
775. 

Land  southward,  Nephites  give,   to  Lamanites,   692. 

Lasciviousness  warned  against,   174. 

Law,  preserved  and  executed,  302  ;  of  Moses,  15,  143,  338  ;  fulfilled  in 
Christ,  143  ;  words  of  Christ  to  be,  144  ;  of  Moses  kept  by  Nephites, 
175,  198,  210,  396,  409 ;  of  land  exceeding  strict,  197 ;  of  Moses 
effective  through  atonement,  217 ;  no  1.  of  God  governing  belief, 
409,  410 ;  punishing  men  according  to  crimes,  410 ;  Zoramites  do 
not  observe  the  1.  of  Moses,  417  ;  no  I.  without  punishment,  454. 


804  BOOK    OF    MORMON. 

Laws,  to  be  enacted  by  voice  of  people,  312 ;  Pahoran  refuses  to 
alter,   490. 

Lawyers  skilled  in  their  profession,  336 ;  Zeezrom,  one  of  the  1., 
accuses   Alma,   338 ;   many,   354. 

Leah  of  silver,  339. 

Lebanon  to  become  a  fruitful  field,  152. 

Lehi,  attacks  army  of  Lamanites,  460  ;  pursues  Lamanites,  460  ;  army 
of,  east  of  Sidon,  462  ;  appointed  chief  captain  over  city  of  Noah, 
482 ;  meets  Lamanites  at  Bountiful,  498 ;  and  Moroni  surrounded 
Lamanites,  498 ;  given  command  of  Mulek,  500 ;  and  Teancum 
given  command  of  army,  534  ;  forces  sent  to,  535  ;  encamps  around 
land  of  Moroni,  537  ;   heads  Coriantumr,   546. 

Lehi,  city  of,  486 ;  land  of,  source  of  contention,  487 ;  people  of, 
flee  to  Moroni,  488 ;  peace  with  Morianton,  490  ;  taken  by  Amalic- 
kiah,  493 ;  Moroni  goes  to  land  of,  537 ;  Lamanites  flee  from,  to 
land  of  Moroni,  537  ;  land  south  called,  562. 

Lehi,  language  of,  2  ;  prays  for  his  people,  2 ;  vision  of,  2  ;  receives 
book,  2 ;  prophesies,  3 ;  mocked  by  Jews,  3 ;  Jews  angry  at,  4 ; 
dream  of,  4  ;  commanded  to  depart  into  wilderness,  4  ;  arrives  at 
borders  of  Red  Sea,  4 ;  family  of,  5  ;  builds  an  altar,  5  ;  speaks 
to  Laman  and  Lemuel,  5  ;  dwells  in  tent,  6 ;  sons  of,  flee  from 
Laban,  9 ;  comforts  Sariah,  14 ;  and  Sariah  offer  sacrifices  and 
burnt  offerings,  14,  19 ;  receives  plates  of  brass,  14 ;  plates  con- 
tain genealogy  of,  15,  16  ;  descendant  of  Joseph,  15,  16,  87  ;  prophe- 
cies, 15  ;  record  of,  16  ;  sons  of  to  take  wives,  16 ;  gathers  seeds, 
19  ;  dream  of,  19  ;  vision  of  tree,  20  ;  prophecies  concerning  coming 
of  the  Messiah,  24  ;  speaks  concerning  Gentiles,  25  ;  dwells  in  val- 
ley of  Lemuel,  25 ;  Gentiles  to  be  numbered  among  seed  of,  39 ; 
words  of,  hard  to  be  understood,  43  ;  sons  dispute  with,  43  ;  seed 
of,  to  come  to  knowledge  of  Redeemer,  44 ;  commanded  to  take 
journey,  48  ;  finds  ball  of  brass,  48  ;  inquires  of  the  Lord,  50  ;  chas- 
tened, 50  ;  looks  upon  ball,  50 ;  and  family  go  into  ship,  60  ;  begets 
two  sons  in  wilderness,  61  ;  pleads  for  Nephi,  61  ;  and  company 
arrive  at  promised  land,  63 ;  till  the  earth,  63  ;  speaks  to  sons, 
77 ;  prophesies  that  his  seed  shall  reject  Messiah,  79 ;  speaks  to 
Zoram,  81  ;  to  Jacob,  82  ;  to  Joseph,  87 ;  descendant  of  Joseph  of 
Egypt,  87,  335  ;  speaks  to  Laman's  sons  and  daughters,  90  ;  speaks 
to  Lemuel's  sons  and  daughters,  91  ;  speaks  to  sons  of  Ishmael,  91  ; 
speaks  to  Sam,  91;  dies,  91;  commandments  to,  172;  words  of, 
verified,   487. 

Lehi,  son  of  Helaman,  550 ;  preaches  many  things  to  people,  554 ; 
preaches  remainder  of  his  days,  556 ;  preaches  in  Bountiful,  Gid, 
Mulek,  557 ;  preaches  to  Lamanites,  557 ;  goes  to  land  of  Nephi, 
558 ;  cast  into  prison,  558 ;  protected,  558 ;  faces  of  and  Nephi 
shine  as  angels,  559  ;  goes  into  land  northward,  562  ;  preaches  to 
people,   582. 

Ivohi,   son   of  Zoram,   359. 

Lehi-Nephi,  land  or  city  of,  227  ;  Mosiah  sends  men  to,  227  ;  Zeniff 
and  people  possess,   235  ;   walls  of  city   of   repaired,   235. 

Lehonti,    invited    by   Araalickiah    to    counsel,    474  ;    and    men    surround 


INDEX.  805 

Amalickiah,    475 ;    Amalickiah    surrenders    to,    475 ;    death    of,    475. 

Lemuel,  Levi  speaks  to,  5  ;  murmuring  of,  5,  49,  54 ;  valley  of,  5, 
48 ;  hardness  and  cursing  of,  6 ;  and  Laman  angry  with  Sam 
and  Nephi,  9 ;  angel  speaks  to,  9 ;  returns  to  Jerusalem,  9,  17  ; 
rebellion  of,  17,  58 ;  repentance  of,  19 ;  Lehi  dwells  in  valley  of, 
25 ;  chastened  of  Lord,  52 ;  shaken,  59 ;  about  to  worship  Nephi, 
59 ;  binds  Nephi,  61  ;  sons  and  daughters  spoken  to  by  Lehi,  91  ; 
seed  of,  not  to  be  destroyed,  91  ;  sons  of,  angry  with  Nephi,  92  ; 
spoken  of  by  Ammon,  371  ;  people  converted,  390. 

Lemuelites,   a  people  called,  who  rejected   the  gospel,  685. 

Levi,  son  of  Kim,  714,  741  ;  served  in  captivity,  but  wars  and  is 
made  king,  741  ;  is  just  and  people  prosper,  741  ;  begets  Corom,  741. 

Liahona,   directors  called,   441. 

Lib,  son  of  Kish,  714 ;  reigns  in  stead  of  Kish,  741  ;  serpents  de- 
stroyed in  reign  of,  741  ;  people  prosper,  till  the  earth,  742  ;  begets 
Hearthom,  742 ;  made  king  of  Jaredites,  of  great  stature,  745 ; 
fights  with  Coriantumr,  754  ;  wounds  Coriantumr,  but  flees  to  sea- 
shore, 754  ;  drives  Coriantumr  back  to  Akish  and  Agosh,  is  killed, 
754  ;   brother  of,   drives  army  of  Coriantumr,   754. 

Liberty,  title  of,  469 ;  land  of  1.  south  of  land  Desolation,  470 ;  to 
be  preserved,  471  ;  Moroni  plants  standard  of  1.  among  Nephites, 
473 ;  Nephites  prepare  to  preserve,  478 ;  king-men  compelled  to 
hoist  standard  of,  492  ;  Moroni  raises  standard  of,  534. 

Limhi,  son  of  Noah,  227  ;  people  of,  in  bondage  to  Lamanites,  228 ; 
issues  proclamation,  229  ;  people  of,  pay  tribute  to  Lamanites,  230  ; 
plates  containing  record  of  people  of,  231  ;  people  of,  search  for 
land  of  Zarahemla,  232,  270  ;  people  of,  discover  ruins  and  records 
of  earlier  inhabitants,  232,  270  ;  taken  captive  by  Lamanites,  263  ; 
made  king,  264 ;  defends  against  Lamanites,  265  ;  people  of,  re- 
pulsed by  Lamanites,  268 ;  and  people  make  covenant  with  God, 
270  ;  desire  baptism,  271  ;  takes  voice  of  people,  271  ;  hearkens  to 
Gideon,  272  ;  people  of,  depart  into  wilderness,  272 ;  reach  land 
of  Zarahemla,  272  ;  record  of  people  of,  received  by  Mosiah,  273  ; 
people  of,  baptized  by  Alma,  281  ;  delivers  plates  to  Mosiah,  291  ; 
twenty-four  plates   found  by,   714,   759. 

Limnah   of  gold,   339. 

Limnah,   leader   of  ten   thousand   Nephites,   702. 

Limher,   spy   of   Nephites,   305. 

Luram,   slain   by   sword,    772. 

Lyings  and  deceivings  sent  forth  by  Satan,  602. 

Mahah,  son  of  .Tared,  728, 

Malachi,  words  of,  668. 

Manasseh,   Lehi  descendant  of,  335. 

Man,  cursed  is  he  who  trusteth  In,  155. 

Manti,  Nehor  executed  on  hill  of,  300 ;  Alma  journeys  to,  362 ; 
Lamanites  march  to  take  possession  of,  458 ;  Moroni  takes  part 
of  army  to,  459  ;  Lamanites  flee  toward,  460  ;  taken  by  Lamanites, 
510  ;  retaken  by  Gid  and  Teomner,  522  ;   Helaman  enters  city,  523. 

Manti,  sent  by  Alma  to  spy  on  Amlicites,  305. 

Marriage  among  the  Nephites,  682. 


806  BOOK    OF    MORMON. 

Marvelous  work  and  a  wonder  among  children  of  men,  39,  141  ;  to 
be  done,   151  ;   shall  proceed  to  do,   15G. 

Mary,  mother  of  Christ,  216  ;  Son  of  God  to  be  born  of,  323. 

Mathonihah,  one  of  twelve,  654. 

Mathoni,  one  of  twelve,  654. 

Melchisedec,  priesthood  of,  350  ;  king  of  Salem,  350. 

Men,  all  commanded  to  write  words  of  God,  157 ;  Lord  speaks  to, 
according  to  their  language,  160. 

Messiah,  coming  of,  4,  24,  65  ;  to  be  baptized,  24 ;  to  be  slain,  to 
rise,  25 ;  to  be  manifest  among  Gentiles,  25  ;  Gentiles  to  come  to 
knowledge  of,  25  ;  Son  of  God,  26 ;  Lamb  of  God,  32  ;  to  be  mani- 
fest unto  children  of  men,  44  ;  to  be  made  manifest  in  latter  days, 
87 ;  people  wait  for  coming  of,  100 ;  Jews  to  be  convinced  of  the 
true,  141  ;  but  one  true,  142  ;  name  of,  Jesus  Christ,  142  ;  signs  of 
birth  to  be  given,  144. 

Metals,  Nephi  teaches  people  to  work  in,  96 ;  Nephites  become  rich 
in,  198 ;  mentioned  in  taxing,  239 ;  used  by  Noah,  240 ;  gold  and 
silver  values,  338,  339  ;  among  Jaredites,  742. 

Micah,    words   of,   658,   659. 

Middoni,  Aaron,  Muloki,  and  Ammah  in  prison  at,  377 ;  Antiomno, 
king  of,  377 ;  Lamoni  and  Ammon  start  to,  377 ;  meet  father  of 
Lamoni,  377 ;  arrive  at,  380 ;  brethren  of  Ammon  released  from 
prison  at,  380 ;  Aaron,  Muloki,  and  Ammah  preach  at,  382 ;  they 
are  cast  into  prison  at,  382  ;  Ammon  and  Lamoni  return  from,  to 
land  of  Ishmael,  382  ;  people  converted  in,  390. 

Midian,   land  of,  391. 

Minon,  land  of,  305. 

Miracles,  among  disciples  of  Jesus,  683  ;  ceased  because  of  wicked- 
ness, 688. 

Mocum,  water  comes  instead  of  city   of,   626. 

Moriancumer,   place   called,   718. 

Morianton,  descendant  of  Riplakish,  714,  740  ;  gains  power  over  land 
and  made  king,  740 ;  does  justice,  740 ;  builds  cities  and  people 
prosper,   741  ;   begets  Kim,   741  ;  death  of,   741. 

Morianton,  land  of,  source  of  contention,  487  ;  people  of,  take  arms 
against  people  of  Lehi,  488  ;  people  of,  restored  to  land,  489,  490  ; 
taken  by  Amalickiah,   493. 

Morianton,  leader  of  people  of  Morianton,  488 ;  beats  maid-servant, 
488  ;  slain  by  Teancum,  489. 

Moriantum,  abominations  of  Nephites  at,  772. 

Mormon,  about  to  deliver  record  to  Moroni,  204  ;  makes  abridgment 
of  plates,  204 ;  finds  small  set  of  plates,  204 ;  finishes  record  on 
plates  of  Nephi,  205  ;  makes  plates  with  own  hands,  615,  calling  of, 
615  ;  record  of,  616  ;  pure  descendant  of  Lehi,  616  ;  words  of,  616, 
684  ;  writes  things  commanded,  671  ;  makes  record,  687  ;  spoken  to 
by  Ammoron,  687 ;  told  to  take  plates  of  Nephi,  687  ;  visited  by 
Lord,  688 ;  endeavors  to  preach,  688 ;  leader  of  Nephites,  689 : 
withstands  Aaron,  690  ;  gets  plates  of  Nephi,  691  ;  flees  to  Shem, 
691  ;  teaches  people,  693  ;  gets  epistle  from  king  of  Lamanites,  693  ; 
refuses   command   of   Nephites,   694 ;    writes   to    Gentiles    and    house 


INDEX.  807 

of  Israel,  694  ;  gets  all  records  hid  by  Ammoron,  698  ;  again  takes 
command,  698  ;  defends  Jordan  and  other  cities  against  Lamanites, 
698  ;  abridgment  of  record  of,  699  ;  to  house  of  Jacob,  also  to  Gen- 
tiles, 699  ;  finishes  record,  701;  writes  epistle  to  king  of  Lamanites, 
701  ;  hides  records  in  hill  Cumorah,  701  ;  wounded,  702  ;  lamenta- 
tion of,  702 ;  speaks  to  remnant,  703 ;  slain  in  battle,  704,  705 ; 
descendant  of  Nephi,  706 ;  words  of,  763 ;  epistle  of,  to  Moroni, 
768 ;  second  epistle  of  to  Moroni,  771  ;  has  sacred  records  to 
deliver  to  Moroni,  774. 

Mormon,  Alma  and  followers  flee  to,  258  ;  waters  of,  258,  259,  261  ; 
place  of,  258,  261  ;  Jerusalem  on  the  borders  of,  380. 

Moroni,  son  of  Mormon,  receives  record  from  Mormon,  204,  701  ; 
le  der  of  ten  thousand  Nephites,  702  ;  finishes  record  of  his  father, 
704  ;  lone  survivor  of  Nephites,  704  ;  hides  record,  706  ;  instructs  to 
search  prophecy  of  Isaiah,  707  ;  prophesies  concerning  coming  forth 
of  record,  707  ;  teaches  concerning  resurrection,  711  ;  writes  of 
language,  713 ;  gives  account  of  ancient  inhabitants,  714 ;  com- 
manded to  seal  up  records  of  brother  of  Jared,  724  ;  writes  accord- 
ing to  memory,  725 ;  teaches  concerning  faith,  746 ;  on  faith  and 
charity,  748 ;  bids  farewell  to  Gentiles,  749 ;  ends  abridgment  of 
record  of  people  of  Jared,  760  ;  resumes  writing,  760  ;  writes  words 
of  Mormon,  763 ;  epistle  of  Mormon  to,  768 ;  second  epistle  of 
Mormon  to,  771  ;  Mormon  has  sacred  records  to  deliver  to,  774 ; 
writes  to  Lamanites,  774  ;   seals  up  records,   774. 

Moroni,  chief  captain  of  Nephites, '  457  ;  meets  Lamanites  in  Jershon, 
457  ;  sends  men  to  Alma,  458  ;  takes  part  of  army  to  near  Manti, 
459 ;  takes  part  of  army  to  hill  Riplah,  part  to  river  Sidon,  and 
Manti,  459  ;  meets  Lamanites  near  Sidon,  460  ;  addresses  Zerahem- 
nah,  462 ;  receives  surrender  of  Zerahemnah,  463 ;  addressed  by 
Zerahemnah,  463  ;  swords  and  weapons  of  Zerahemnah,  463  ;  many 
Lamanites  surrender  to,  464  ;  renews  battle  against  Lamanites,  464  ; 
disarms  and  paroles  Lamanites,  465 ;  returns  with  army  to  land 
of  Nephites,  465  ;  writes  on  piece  of  garment,  469  ;  prays  for  cause 
of  Christians,  470 ;  intercepts  army  of  Amalickiah,  472 ;  puts  to 
death  some  of  the  Amalickiahites,  472  ;  plants  standard  of  liberty 
among  Nephites,  473  ;  fortifies  land,  478  ;  description  of,  479  ;  like 
unto  Alma  and  Ammon,  480 ;  appoints  Lehi  chief  captain  of  city 
of  Noah,  482 ;  continues  preparation  for  defense,  485  :  drives  La- 
manites from  east  wilderness,  485 ;  maid-servant  tells  about  peo- 
ple of  Morianton,  488  ;  sends  army  to  head  Morianton,  488  ;  heads 
them  at  Desolation,  488 ;  wroth  with  king  men,  491  ;  marches 
against  king  men,  492  ;  puts  end  to  king  men,  492 ;  sends  orders 
to  Teancum  to  fortify  land  Bountiful,  495  ;  arrives  at  city  of 
Bountiful,  497 ;  holds  counsel  with  Teancum  and  others,  497 ; 
takes  possession  of  Mulek,  498  ;  and  Lehi  surround  Lamanites,  498  : 
wounded,  499 ;  Lamanites  surrender  to,  499 ;  gives  Lehi  command 
of  Mulek,  500 ;  causes  Lamanite  prisoners  to  fortify  Bountiful, 
500 ;  sends  epistle  to  Ammoron,  503 ;  Ammoron  writes  to,  504 ; 
appoints  Laman  to  go  to  Gid,  506  ;  arms  prisoners,  507  ;  Lamanites 
surrender   to,    508 ;   receives   epistle    from    Helaman.    509  ;   writes   to 


808  BOOK   OF    MORMON. 

Pahoran,   526,   531  ;   gives   Lehi  and  Teancum   command   of  part   of 

army,   534 ;    raises    standard   of   liberty,    534 ;    sends   forces    to    Lelii 

and    Teancum,    535 ;    goes    witii    Pahoran    towards    Nepliihah,    535  ; 

makes    night    attack    on    Nephihah,    536 ;    regains    Nephihah,    536 ; 

goes    to   land    of    Lehi,    537 ;    camps    around    land    of    Moroni,    537 ; 

returns  to  Zarahemla,  539  ;  gives  command  of  army  to  Moronihah, 

539;  death  of,  540. 
Moroni,  city  of,  486  ;  Lamanites  come  into,  493  ;  taken  by  Amalickiah, 

493  ;  sinks  in  sea,  624. 
Moronihah,  Moroni  appoints  as  commander  of  army,   539  ;   Lamanites 

war  against  people  of,   542  ;   sends   Lehi  to   head   Coriantumr,   546 ; 
takes    Zarahemla,    546 ;    succeeds    in    obtaining    many    cities    from 
Lamanites,  554  ;  preaches  many  things  to  people,  554  ;  regains  half 
of  possessions,  554. 
Moronihah,  city  of,  earth  carried  upon,  624,  626. 
Moronihah,  leader  of  ten  thousand  Nephites,  702. 

Moron,   Coriantor  son  of,   714  ;  son   of  Ethem,   714  ;   reigns  instead  of 

Ethem,    744 ;   wicked    man    battles   with   and   gets   half   of   kingdom, 

745  ;   regains   kingdom,    745  ;    descendant   of   brother   of   Jared   takes 

Moron   captive,   745  ;    begets   Coriantor,    745. 

Moron,  land  of,  where  king  dwelt,  729  ;  near  land  of  Desolation,  729  ; 

Noah  takes  Shule  captive  into  land  of,  730. 
Moses,  plates  of  brass  contain  five  books  of,  15  ;  Nephi  reads  words 
of,  67 ;  to  deliver  people  from  Egypt,  88 ;  to  have  power  in  rod, 
89  ;  spokesman  for,  89  ;  law  of,  kept  by  Nephites,  95,  143,  175,  197, 
210  ;  law  of,  taught,  198  ;  law  of,  availeth  nothing  except  through 
atonement,  217 ;  law  of,  338 ;  law  of,  taught  to  people  of  Noah, 
245 ;  not  always  to  be  taught,  249 ;  kept,  396,  409 ;  Zoramites 
would  not  observe  law  of,  417  ;  speaks  of  Son  of  God,  427  ;  words 
of,  428 ;  law  of,  Lamanites  observe,  586,  595  ;  contention  concern- 
ing law  of,  602 ;  law  of,  fulfilled  in  Christ,  628,  643 ;  no  longer 
observed,  682  ;  law  of,  given  by  faith,  746. 
Mosiah,  Amaleki  speaks  concerning,  201  ;  warned  to  flee  from  land 
of  Nephi,  201  ;  language  of,  taught  to  people  of  Zarahemla,  202  ; 
unites  with  people  of  Zarahemla  and  is  appointed  king,  202  ;  inter- 
prets engraving  on  stone,  202  ;  death  of,  202. 
Mosiah,  son  of  Benjamin,  is  given  charge  of  sword  of  Laban,  ball, 
or  directors,  plates  of  Nephi,  209 ;  makes  proclamation,  209 ;  de- 
clared king,  214 ;  consecrated  king,  226 ;  walks  in  way  of  Lord, 
226  ;  causes  people  to  till  the  earth,  226  ;  no  contention,  226  ;  sends 
Eden  to  land  of  Lehi-Nephi,  227  ;  receives  records  of  and  people  of 
Limhi,  273,  291  ;  receives  people  of  Alma,  279 ;  reads  records  of 
Zenifif  and  of  Alma,  279  ;  permits  Alma  to  establish  churches,  281  ; 
gives  Alma  authority  over  church,  282,  283 ;  sends  proclamation, 
285  ;  sons  of,  unbelievers,  286 ;  angel  appears  to  sons  of,  286 ; 
Ammon,  Aaron,  Omner,  Himni,  sons  of,  teach  people  of  Zarahemla, 
289 ;  sons  of,  desire  to  preach  to  Lamanites,  290 ;  sons  of,  refuse 
the  kingdom,  291  ;  translates  records,  291  ;  confers  plates,  record, 
interpreters  on  Alma,  son  of  Alma,  292  ;  asks  will  of  people  regard- 
ing king,  292  ;  message  of  Mosiah  to  people  concerning  a  king,  292  ; 


INDEX.  809 

recommends  judges,  293  ;  loved  by  the  people,  297  ;  death  of,  298  ; 
laws  of,  acknowledged  by  people,  of  Nephi,  298,  337;  sons  of,  met 
by  Alma,  362 ;  sons  of,  have  spirit  of,  362  ;  sons  of,  preach  to 
Lamanites  fourteen  years,  362  ;  laws  of,  altered,  555. 

Melek,  land  of.  Alma  teaches  people  of,  326 ;  people  baptized,  327 ; 
people  of  Ammon  come  into,  433  ;  taken  by  Amalickiah,  493. 

Mulek,  Lamanites  retreat  to,  495  ;  Teancum  ordered  to  attack,  496 ; 
Jacob  leader  of  Lamanites  at,  497  ;  taken  by  Moroni,  498  ;  Moroni 
gives  command  of,  to  Lehi,  500 ;  Nephi  and  Lehi  preach  at,  557  ; 
land  north  called,  562. 

Mulok,   descendants   of,   279. 

Muloki,  in  prison,  377,  382  ;  released,  380,   382  ;   at  Ani-Anti,  382. 

Murmur,  brothers  of  Nephi  do,  7. 

Murmuring  of  Laman  and  Lemuel,  5  ;  of  brothers  of  Nephi,  7 ;  of 
Nephites,   267,   386  ;   of  the  church,   285. 

Nahom,  Ishmael  buried  in,  51. 

Narrow  neck  of  land,  Moroni  orders  Teancum  to  secure,  495. 

Nations,  all  to  write  words  of  Lord,  158 ;  all  to  be  taught  by  men 
of   own   race,   408. 

Nehor,  teaches  among  people,  299  ;  slays  Gideon,  299 ;  pleads  before 
Alma,  300 ;  condemned  to  death,  300 ;  executed  on  Manti,  300 ; 
judge  after  order  of,  354,  358  ;  Desolation  of,  360  ;  Amalickites  and 
Amulonites  after  order  of,  381  ;  after  order  of,   394. 

Nehor,  land  of,  Corihor  rebels  and  goes  to,  729. 

Nephi,  birth  of,  1  ;  taught  in  learning  of  fathers,  1  ;  afflictions  of, 
1  ;  favored  of  the  Lord,  1,  2,  6 ;  record  of,  2,  3 ;  account  of,  3 ; 
plates  of,  3  ;  description  of,  6  ;  obedience  of,  6  ;  speaks  to  Sam,  6  ; 
to  be  ruler  and  teacher,  6  ;  seed  of,  to  be  scourged,  6  ;  and  breth- 
ren to  return  to  Jerusalem,  7 ;  brothers  of,  murmur,  7  ;  'obedience 
of,  7 ;  statement  of,  7,  23,  26 ;  genealogy  of  father  of,  8  ;  exhorts 
brethren,  8,  10,  17,  43,  45,  50,  55,  61,  72,  92  ;  and  brethren  return 
to  land  of  inheritance,  9 ;  offer  to  purchase  records  of  Laban,  9  ; 
and  brethren  flee  from  Laban,  9  ;  angel  speaks  to,  9  ;  slays  Laban, 
11;  obtains  plates,"  12  ;  returns  to  father  in  wilderness,  13;  record 
of,  16  ;  descendant  of  Joseph,  16  ;  returns  to  Jerusalem,  17  ;  breth- 
ren rebel  against,  17  ;  bound  with  cords,  18  ;  plates  of,  contain  full 
accoimt  of  people,  23  ;  two  sets  of  plates,  23 ;  reign  and  ministry 
of,  24 ;  writes  in  book,  25  ;  vision  of,  26 ;  angel  appears  to,  28 ; 
seed  of,  and  of  brethren,  30 ;  angel  speaks  to,  39,  41  ;  forbidden 
to  write,  42 ;  grieved  by  hardness  of  their  hearts,  43 ;  overcome, 
43  ;  sees  fall  of  people,  43  ;  takes  daughter  of  Ishmael  to  wife,  48  ; 
breaks  bow,  49 ;  commanded  to  build  ship,  53 ;  makes  tools,  54 ; 
stretches  forth  hand  and  brethren  shaken  by  the  Lord,  59  ;  brethren 
offer  to  worship,  59 ;  completes  ship,  60 ;  goes  into  ship,  60 ; 
bound  with  cords  by  brethren,  61  ;  Lehi  pleads  for,  62 ;  makes 
plates  of  ore,  63 ;  makes  records  on  plates,  64  ;  reads  words  of 
Moses,  67 ;  reads  from  plates  of  brass,  72 ;  Joseph  to  hearken  to, 
90 ;  speaks  concerning  Joseph  of  Egypt,  90 ;  Laman  and  Lemuel 
and  sons  of  Ishmael  angry  with,  92  ;  ministered  to  by  angels,  93  ; 
life  sought  by  brethren,  94  ;  Nephi  and  others  depart  in  wilderness, 


810  BOOK    OF    MORMON. 

95  ;  place  and  people  named  after,  95  ;  teaches  people  in  metals  and 
wood,   96  ;   builds   temple,   96 ;   refuses   to   be   king,   96 ;    consecrates 
Jacob  and  Joseph,  97-;  keeps  records  upon  plates,  97;  makes  other 
plates,  97  ;  Jacob  speaks  unto  people  of,  98 ;  writes  words  of  Isaiah, 
115  ;  soul  delighteth  in  plainness,  139  ;  speaks  concerning  words  of 
Isaiah,  139  ;  declares  Jerusalem  had  been  destroyed,  140  ;  prophesies 
destruction  of  his  people,  145  ;  promises  to,  to  be  remembered,  156  ; 
seed   of,   to   be   remembered,    156 ;    prophesies   concerning   Jews   and 
Gentiles,    158 ;    mourns    because    of    wickedness,    164 ;    has    charity, 
165  ;   commands  Jacob  to  write  on  small  plates,   166  ;   anoints  man 
to  be  king,  167  ;  loved  by  people,  167  ;  wields  sword  of  Laban,  167  ; 
to    be    name    of    kings,    168 ;    dies,    168 ;    consecrates    priests    and 
teachers,  168  ;  makes  plates  called  plates  of  Jacob,  175  ;  other  plates 
of,   199  ;'  plates  of,   conferred  on   Mosiah,   209 ;   language  of,    taught 
to'  Lamanites,  277  ;  words  of  God,  to  first,  308  ;  Abinadi,  son  of,  334  ; 
son  of  Lehi,  335. 
Nephi,   people    of,  -to   fortify    against   Lamanites,    192 ;    people    of    till 
ground   and   raise   animals,    196;   Ammon   and   brethren   go   to   land 
of,   227 ;   Zeniff   has   knowledge   of,   234 ;   children   of   the   daughters 
of'  Lamanites  and  priests  take  name  of,  280  ;  Alma   speaks  to  peo- 
ple of,  280  ;  land  of,  287  ;  Aaron  goes  to  land  of,  383  ;  people  con- 
verted,  390 ;   armies   of,    set   around   Jershon,   405 ;    great   slaughter 
among,   405  ;  account  of  people  of,  in  days  of  Helaman,   465  ;   peo- 
ple  of,    rejoice   in    peace,    466 ;    Amalickiah    goes    to    land    of,    472 ; 
returns    to    land    of,    475  ;    Amalickiah    possesses    the    city    of,    476 ; 
Lamanites  flee  to  land  of,  484  ;   peace  among,  because  of  diligence 
to    word    of   God,    484  ;    land    of,    in    straight    course    from    east    to 
west  sea,  485  ;  Gadiantons  gain  many  advantages  over  land  of,  605  ; 
prosper,  682  ;   people  of,  proud  in  hearts,  become  exceeding  wicked, 
686. 
Nephihah,  appointed  chief  judge,  312  ;  dies,  489. 

Nephihah,  city  or  land  of,  486  ;  taken  by  Amalickiah,  493  ;  people  of, 
attacked  by  Lamanites,  525 ;  city  of,  captured,  525 ;  Moroni  and 
Pahoran  go  to  city  of,  535  ;  plains  of,  536  ;  Moroni  enters  at  night, 
536  ;  Moroni  regains  city  of,  536. 
Nephites,  to  write  words  of  the  Lord,  158 ;  not  Lamanites,  168 ; 
friendly  toward  Nephi,  168 ;  grow  hard  in  hearts,  168 ;  desire 
many  wives  and  concubines,  168  ;  pride  of,  170  ;  excuse  themselves  in 
committing  whoredoms,  171  ;  to  be  scourged  by  Lamanites,  173  ;  La- 
manites more  righteous  than,  173  ;  Jacob  warns  against  sins,  174  ; 
records  of,  to  be  preserved,  195  ;  war  with  Lamanites,  198  ;  culture 
of,  198 ;  weapons  of,  198 ;  more  wicked  part  destroyed,  righteous 
spared,  200  ;  drive  out  Lamanites,  203  ;  people  of,  not  so  numerous  as 
people  of  Zarahemla,  279 ;  prepared  to  meet  Amlicites,  304 ;  war 
with  Amlicites,  304 ;  defeat  Amlicites,  304  ;  defeat  Lamanites  and 
Amlicites  at  Sidon,  306 ;  Lamanite  army  attacks,  309 ;  Zoram 
leads  army  of,  against  the  Lamanites,  360  ;  church  established  gen- 
erally among  people  of,  361  ;  murmuring  of,  386 ;  nearly  sur- 
rounded by  Lamanites,  387 ;  surrounded,  388 ;  Lamanites  swear 
vengeance  against,  395  ;  separation   from  Zoramites,  416  ;  war  with 


INDEX.  811 

Lamanites,  433,  456  ;  give  lands  to  people  of  Ammon,  457  ;  obliged 
to  contend  with  brethren,  457 ;  Moroni,  leader  of,  457 ;  meet  La- 
manites in  Jershon,  458 ;  part  of,  attack  Lamanites  under  Lehi, 
460  ;  inspired  by  rights  of  worship,  461  ;  Alma  prophesies  concern- 
ing, 466 ;  Helaman  and  brethren  established  church  among,  468 ; 
forgetfulness  of,  469  ;  standard  of  liberty  planted  among  by  Moroni, 
473  ;  Lamanites  come  against,  478  ;  faith  and  belief  of,  479  ;  fortify 
Ammonihah,  481  ;  none  slain  among,  484  ;  possess  all  land  north- 
ward of  land  Bountiful,  486  ;  waxed  strong,  486  ;  driven  at  city  of 
Moroni,  493 ;  harassed  by  Ammoron,  496 ;  people  of  Ammon  take 
name  of,  502 ;  prisoners  among  Lamanites  rescued,  508 ;  regain 
Antiparah,  515  ;  many  go  northward,  541  ;  contention  among,  542  ; 
Lamanites  wage  war  on,  544  ;  flee  from  Zarahemla,  545 ;  become 
Lamanites,  550  ;  disaster  among,  due  to  pride,  554  ;  under  Moroni- 
hah  regain  half  of  cities,  554  ;  obtain  their  land  from  Lamanites, 
561  ;  rejoice  for  church  established  among,  561  ;  go  to  land  north- 
ward, 562  ;  many  in  Gadianton  band,  and  secret  combinations,  563  ; 
dwindle  in  unbelief,  565  ;  encourage  Gadiantons,  566  ;  begin  to  slay 
each  other,  579 ;  great  famine  among,  580 ;  people  repent,  580 ; 
prosper,  581  ;  join  Gadianton  robbers,  603  ;  fight  Gadiantons,  605  ; 
unite  with  Lamanites,  605  ;  war  with  robbers  605  ;  gather  in  Zara- 
hemla, 609 ;  make  weapons  of  war,  610 ;  battle  with  Gadianton 
i-obbers,  611;  beat  the  robbers,  611,  613;  hang  Zemnariah,  613; 
return  to  own  land,  617  ;  conditions  of  rank  and  wickedness  among, 
618 ;  separate  into  tribes,  620 ;  Christ  appears  to,  632 ;  all  con- 
verted to  Christ,  681  ;  marriage  among,  682  ;  miracles  among,  683  ; 
great  prosperity,  683 ;  a  people  again  called,  685 ;  war  with  and 
beat  Lamanites,  688 ;  war  with  Lamanites,  689 ;  retreat  to  north 
country,  689 ;  take  possession  of  Angola  and  fortify,  driven  out, 
689  ;  go  to  land  of  Joshua,  689  ;  repent  of  iniquity,  690  ;  lamenta- 
tion of,  690 ;  curse  God,  691  ;  flee  before  Lamanites  to  land  of 
Jashon,  691  ;  flee  to  Shem,  691  ;  Lamanites  come  upon,  692 ;  pur- 
sue afld  beat  Lamanites,  692 ;  regain  land  of  inheritance,  692 ; 
make  treaty  with  Lamanites,  692 ;  beat  Lamanites,  693 ;  Mormon 
refuses  command  of,   694  ;   go  to  battle  with   Lamanites   in   Desola- 

,  tion,  695  ;  are  driven  back,  695  ;  some  flee  to  city  Teancum,  695  ; 
repulse  Lamanites,  696  ;  driven  by  Lamanites  from  Teancum,  697  ; 
beat  Lamanites  and  drive  them  from  land,  697 ;  driven  with 
slaughter  from  Desolation  to  Boaz,  697 ;  again  give  Mormon  com- 
mand, 698 ;  defend  Jordan  against  Lamanites,  698 ;  beaten,  698 ; 
to  become  a  dark  people,  700  ;  march  to  land  of  Cumorah,  701  ;  all 
slain  but  twenty-four  at  Cumorah,  702 ;  those  escaping  were 
killed,  705  ;  those  who  deny  not  Christ  put  to  death  by  Lamanites, 
760 ;  denying  Holy  Ghost,  771  ;  anger  of,  772 ;  sufferings  of,  772  ; 
abominations  of,   772  ;   devour  flesh  of  Lamanites,   772. 

Nephi,  son  of  Helaman,  550  ;  made  judge,  552  ;  preaches  many  things 
to  people,  554  ;  delivers  judgment  seat  to  Cezoram,  555  ;  to  preach 
remainder  of  days,  556 ;  preaches  in  Bountiful,  Gid,  Mulek,  557 ; 
preaches  to  Lamanites,  557 ;  Nephi  and  Lehi  preach  to  all  people 
of  Nephi,  557  ;  goes  to  land  of  Nephi,  558  ;  cast  into  prison,  558  ; 


812  BOOK    OF    MORMON. 

protected,  558  ;  faces  of  Nephi  and  Lelii  shine  as  faces  of  angels, 
559 ;  returns  to  Zarahemla,  566 ;  prays  upon  tower,  567 ;  speaks 
to  people,  568,  571,  575,  578,  582  ;  tells  of  death  of  judges,  573  ; 
bound,  575 ;  set  at  liberty,  577 ;  voice  speaks  to,  577 ;  conveyed 
away  by  Spirit,  579  ;  prays  for  people,  580  ;  esteemed  as  a  prophet, 
581  ;  people  baptized  by,  597 ;  teaches  people,  597 ;  given  records 
by  Helaman,  600  ;  nowhere  to  be  found,  604. 

Nephi,  son  of  Nephi,  prays  for  people,  601  ;  hears  a  voice,  601  ; 
goes  forth  preaching  and  baptizing,  602 ;  plates  of,  made  with 
hands,  615 ;  visited  by  angels  daily,  622 ;  raises  brother  from  the 
dead,  622 ;  preaches  repentance,  ordains  men  to  ministry,  623 ; 
Christ  speaks  to,  is  given  authority  to  baptize,  633  ;  one  of  twelve, 
654 ;  baptized  655 ;  Christ  commands  to  bring  forth  record,  667 ; 
plates  of,  contain  Christ's  teachings,  671  ;  death  of,  683 ;  Mormon 
gets  plates  of,  691. 

Neum,   words   of,  65. 

New  Jerusalem,  659,  664  ;  location  of,  750  ;  inhabitants  to  be  blessed, 
751. 

Nimrah,  son  of  Akish,  angry  with  father,  736  ;  joins  Omer,  736. 

Nimrod,  Jared  and  brother  go  into  valley  of,  716. 

Nimrod,  son  of  Cohor,  731  ;  gives  up  kingdom  to  Shule,  731. 

Noah,  land  of,  Lamanites  come  into  borders  of,  359  ;  Lamanites  depart 
from  land  of,  482  ;  become  strong  as  Ammonihah,  482 ;  Lehi  ap- 
pointed  captain   over,   482  ;    Lamanites  attack,   483. 

Noah,  son  of  Corihor,  rebels  against  Shule  and  Corihor,  730  ;  draws 
away  Cohor,  730 ;  gives  battle  against,  730 ;  takes  Shule  captive 
into  Moron,  730 ;  slain  by  sons  of  Shule,  731  ;  sons  of,  build  up 
kingdom,   731  ;   Cohor,  son  of,   731.    ■ 

Noah,  Zeniff  confers  kingdom  on,  239 ;  had  many  wives  and  concu- 
bines, 239  ;  tax  levied  by,  239  ;  puts  down  priests  consecrated  by  his 
father,  240 ;  builds  spacious  buildings,  palace,  towers,  240 ;  sets 
apart  high  priests,  240 ;  plants  vineyards,  241  ;  Lamanites  slay 
people  of,  241  ;  Abinadi  prophesies  to,  241  ;  seeks  life  o^  Abinadi, 
242  ;  Abinadi  brought  before,  and  cast  into  prison,  244  ;  condemns 
Abinadi  to  death,  256 ;  seeks  to  slay  Alma,  256 ;  causes  death  of 
Abinadi,  257 ;  discovers  Alma  and  people,  261  ;  sends  army  to 
destroy  Alma  and  people,  261  ;  contentions  among  people  of,  261  ; 
attacked  by  Gideon,  262 ;  and  people  flee  from  Lamanites,  262 ; 
people    of,    pay    tribute    to    Lamanites,    263 ;    Gideon    searches    for, 

263  ;  put  to  death  by  fire,  263  ;  people  of,  return  to  land  of  Nephi, 

264  ;  Alma  and  people  depart  into  wilderness  from  people  of,  273  ; 
priests  of,   found  by  Lamanites,   276  ;   priests  of,  395. 

Northward,  land,  388. 

Ogath,   Shiz  flees  to,  757. 

Olive  tree.  Gentiles  and  Israel   compared  to,  25  ;  natural  branches  of, 

43  ;  house  of  Israel  compared  to,  44  ;  seed  of  Lehi  to  be  grafted  into, 

44  ;  house  of  Israel  like  unto  a  tame,   177. 

Omer,  son  of  Shule,  715  ;  reigns  instead  of  Shule,  732;  Jared  rebels 
against,  732  ;  in  captivity,  732  ;  friend  of  Akish,  733  ;  kingdom  of, 
overthrown,   735;  warned  in  dream  and  departs  to  hill   Shim,  735; 


INDEX.  813 

ai  Ablon,  735  ;  restored  to  kingdom,  730  ;  gives  kingdom  to  Emer, 
his  son,   736  ;  death  of,  737. 

Omner,  city  of,  Amalickiah  takes,  493. 

Omnei,  son  of  Mosiah,  teaches  people  of  Zarahemla,  289  ;  account  of, 
388 ;  rejoices,  397 ;  rejoices  on  meeting  Alma,  403 ;  Alma  takes 
him  to  preach  to  Zoramites,  417. 

Omni,  Jarom  delivers  plates  to,  199 ;  a  wicked  man,  199 ;  confers 
plates  on  Amaron,  200. 

Onidah,  sermon  of  Alma  upon  hill,  421  ;  Amulek  preaches  at  hill, 
428  ;   portion   of  Lamanites  flee  to,  474  ;   place  of  arms,  474. 

Onihah,    water    comes    instead    thereof,    626. 

Only  Begotten,  to  show  himself  to  the  people  of  Jerusalem,  140;  to  be 
crucified  by  them,  141  ;  to  rise  from  the  dead,   141. 

Onti  of  silver,  339. 

Ordaining,    manner    of,    761. 

Ores,  found  in  land  of  promise,  63  ;  plates  of  ore  made  by   Nephi,  63. 

Orihah,  son  of  Jared,  715,  728 ;  appointed  king  of  people,  729 ; 
walked  humbly  before  the  Lord,  729. 

Paanchi,  son  of  Pahoran,  claims  judgment  seat,  543 ;  rebels  against 
and  is  condemned  by  voice  of  people,  543. 

Pachus,  king  of  dissenters  at  Zarahemla,  slain,  534. 

Pacumeni,  son  of  Pahoran,  claims  judgment  seat,  542 ;  made  chief 
judge,   544  ;   flees  from   Coriantumr  and   is  slain,   545. 

Pagag,  son  of  brother  of  Jared,  chosen  to  be  king,  refuses,  728. 

Pahoran,  appointed  chief  judge,  489 ;  refuses  to  alter  laws,  490 ; 
retains  judgment  seat  by  voice  of  people,  490  ;  Moroni  writes  to,  526  ; 
writes  epistle  to  Moroni,  531  ;  flees  to  land  of  Gideon,  532 ;  re- 
stored to  judgment  seat,  534 ;  and  Moroni  go  toward  Nephihah, 
535  ;  regains  city  of  Nephihah,  536  ;  returns  to  judgment  seat,  539  ; 
death  of,  542. 

Pahoran,  son  of  Pahoran,  claims  judgment  seat,  542  ;  appointed  chief 
judge  and  governor,  543  ;  slain  by  Kishkumen,  543. 

Palace  built  by  Noah,   240. 

Paradise,  delivers  spirits  of  righteous,  107 ;  spirits  of  righteous  re- 
ceived into,  448. 

People  not  to  be  succored  in  transgression,  230. 

Pillar   of   fire   before   Lehi,   2. 

Plates,  of  Nephi,  3 ;  of  brass,  7 ;  asked  of  Laban,  7 ;  obtained  by 
Nephi,    12  ;    taken    into   wilderness,    13 ;    of   brass   received    by    Lehi, 

14  ;  of  brass  contain  five  books  of  IVaOscs  and  account  of  Adam  and 
Eve  and  record  of  Jews  and  prophecies  of  Jeremiah,  15  ;  record  of, 
193 ;    delivered   to   Enos,   193 ;   of   brass   contain   genealogy   of   Lehi, 

15  ;  prediction  concerning,  15  ;  to  be  carried  towards  land  of 
promise,  16  ;  of  Nephi  contain  full  account  of  his  people,  23  ;  two 
sets  of,  23  ;  of  ore  made  by  Nephi,  63  ;  to  be  handed  down  from 
generation  to  generation,  64 ;  of  brass,  things  written  on,  67 ; 
Nephi  reads  from  p.  of  brass,  72 ;  of  brass,  prophecies  of  Joseph 
written  upon,  90  ;  other  plates,  92  ;  of  brass,  92  ;  of  brass,  records 
on,  95  ;  Nephi  keeps  records  upon,  97  ;  Nephi  makes  other,  97  ;  his- 
tory of  Nophites  on  other,  98  ;  Jacob  commanded  to  write  on  small. 


814  BOOK    OF    MORMON. 

16G  ;  history  of  Nephi's  people  on  other  plates,  167 ;  a  hundredth 
part  not  written  on,  174  ;  many  proceedings  written  on  larger, 
174  ;  of  Jacob,  made  by  hand  of  Nephi,  175  ;  things  written  on  p. 
must  remain,  175  ;  Jacob  makes  end  of  writing  upon,  193  ;  Jarom 
writes  upon,  197 ;  small,  199  ;  other  p.  of  Nephi,  199 ;  Omni  con- 
fers p.  on  Amoron,  200 ;  delivered  to  Chemish,  200 ;  of  brass, 
Zarahemla  rejoices  concerning,  201  ;  filled  by  Amaleki,  203 ;  Mor- 
mon makes  abridgment  of,  204  ;  Mormon  finds  small  set  of,  204  ; 
of  Nephi,  Mormon  finishes  record  of,  205  ;  handed  down  from 
Benjamin,  205  ;  record  of,  taught  to  sons  of  Benjamin,  207 ;  con- 
taining record  kept  by  Limhi,  231  ;  found  by  people  of  Limhi,  232, 
270 ;  of  brass,  of  Nephi,  of  Lehi,  translated  by  Mosiah,  291  ; 
conferred  on  Alma,  son  of  Alma,  292  ;  Helaman  commanded  to 
keep  record  on  p.  of  Nephi,  437  ;  to  retain  their  brightness,  437 ; 
given  Nephi  by  Helaman,  600 ;  of  Nephi,  615  ;  things  written  on 
p.  of  brass,  630 ;  of  Nephi,  contain  Christ's  teachings,  671  ;  Amos 
keeps  p.  of  Nephi,  683  ;  son  of  Amos  keeps  p.  of  Nephi,  684  ;  of 
Nephi,  Mormon  told  to  take,  687  ;  Mormon  makes  record  on  p.  of 
Nephi,  691  ;  if  p.  were  larger  would  have  written  in  Hebrew, 
713  ;  twenty-four  p.  found  by  Limhi,  714  ;  to  be  shown,  725. 

Poor,   substance   to   be   imparted   to,   223. 

Prayer,  Spirit  teaches,  164 ;  Nephi  prays  continually,  165 ;  of  Jacob 
answered,   182. 

Precepts,  blessed  are  those  who  hearken  unto,  155. 

Priestcraft  seeks  not  the  welfare  of  Zion,  147  ;  taught  by  Nehor,  299. 

Priests,  Jacob  and  Joseph  to  be  teachers  and,  97  ;  appointed  by  King 
Benjamin,  226 ;  ordained  by  Alma,  260 ;  to  labor  with  their  own 
hands,  260,  285  ;  of  Noah  flee,  263 ;  and  teachers  consecrated  by 
Alma,  274,  282  ;  consecrated  by  Alma,  311  ;  ordained  by  Alma,  321  ; 
after  profession  of  Nehor,  354  ;  visit  Alma  and  Amulek  in  prison, 
355  ;  Alma  consecrates  and  teachers  p.  in  land  of  Sidon,  358  ;  teach- 
ings of,  361  ;  consecrated  by  Aaron,  389  ;  of  Noah,  395 ;  Helaman 
and  brethren  appointed  priests  and  teachers,  468;  false  p.  and 
teachers,  685  ;  and  teachers,  manner  of  ordaining,  761  ;  ministering 
flesh  and  blood  of  Christ,  761,  762. 

Probation,  day  of,  109,  165. 

Prophecy,  of  Enos  to  people  of  Nephi,  195  ;  Abinadi  makes  p.  to  peo- 
ple of  Noah,  241,  243,  251,  254,  257  ;  sons  of  Mosiah  have  spirit  of, 
36? ;  of  Alma  concerning  Nephites,  466 ;  of  Samuel,  587 ;  of  La- 
choneus,  608 ;  of  Mormon,  700 ;  of  Isaiah,  707 ;  of  Moroni  con- 
cerning coming  forth  of  record,  707  ;  of  Ether,  746,  755. 

Prophet,  to  prepare  the  way  of  the  Lord,  24  ;  Nephi  sees  in  vision,  29  : 
Lamb  of  God  baptized  by,  29;  to  baptize  Lamb  of  God,  161. 

Prophets,  predict  destruction  of  Jerusalem,  2,  3,  4,  8,  24  ;  record  of 
p.  true,  38  ;  those  who  stone  and  slay  p.  shall  perish,  144  ;  false  p. 
punished,  206  ;  holy,  206  ;  Benjamin  establishes  peace  with  aid  of, 
206  ;  come  among  people  of  Shule,  731  ;  come  into  land  in  reign  of 
Heth,  738  ;  come  in  days  of  Com,  743  ;  put  to  death  by  brother  of 
Shiblon,  743  ;  come  in  days  of  Ethem,  744  ;  come  in  days  of  Cori- 
antor,  745. 


INDEX.  815 

Rabbanah,   "power  and  great  king,"  369. 
Ramah,  Coriantumr  camps  at,  757. 
Rameumpton,  holy  stand  of  Zoramites,  418. 

Records,  of  Nephi,  2  ;  of  plates  of  brass,  3  ;  of  the  Jews,  7  ;  of  Laban, 
7  ;  offer  to  purchase  of  Laban,  9  ;  last  to  establish  truth  of  the  first, 
38  ;  to  witness  of  Lamb  of  God,  38  ;  on  plates  of  brass,  95  ;  Nephi 
keeps  r.  upon  plates,  07  ;  Nephi  makes  other,  97  ;  of  Nephites  to  be 
preserved,  195  ;  Mormon  about  to  deliver  up  r.  to  Moroni,  204 ; 
Mormon  delivers  to  Moroni,  204  ;  on  plates  kept  by  Limhi,  231  ;  of 
people  of  Limhi,  273  ;  Lamanites  taught  to  keep,  277  ;  Mosiah  reads 
r.  of  Zeniff  and  Alma,  279  ;  Mosiah  translates,  291  ;  conferred  on 
Alma,  son  of  Alma,  292  ;  cast  into  fire  by  people  of  Ammonihah, 
353  ;  Ammon  rehearsed  r.  of  people,  371  ;  Helaman  is  given  r.  of 
Nephi,  437,  489 ;  Ammon  reads  things  on  r.  to  convert,  438 ;  of 
Alma,  end  of,  465 ;  many  kept  particular  and  large,  549 ;  kept 
chiefiy  by  Nephites,  550  ;  given  to  Nephi  by  Helaman,  600  ;  which 
contain  all  proceedings  of  the  people,  615  ;  of  Mormon,  616  ;  known 
to  be  true,  623  ;  kept  by  Nephi,  brought  forth,  667  ;  Amos  keeps, 
683  ;  son  of  Amos  keeps,  684  ;  hid  by  Ammoron,  687  ;  end  of  r.  of 
Ammoron,  687 ;  made  by  Mormon,  687 ;  Mormon  takes  all  r.  hid 
by  Ammoron,  698 ;  Mormon  hides  r.  in  hill  Cumorah,  701  ;  Mor- 
mon gives  to  Moroni,  701  ;  imperfections  in,  706 ;  to  shine  forth 
out  of  darkness,  706 ;  Moroni  prophesies  concerning  coming  forth 
of,  707  ;  Moroni  told  to  hide  r.  of  brother  of  Jared,  724  ;  made  by 
Ether  in  cavity  of  rock,  751  ;  Moroni  makes  end  of  r.  of  people  of 
Jared,  760  ;  Mormon  has  sacred  r.  to  deliver  to  Moroni,  774  ;  Moroni 
seals    up,    774. 

Redeemer  of  world,  Nephi  sees  in  vision,  29  ;  ministers  to  people,  29  ; 
Lamoni  testifies  to,  373. 

Redemption,  none  save  through  atonement  of  Christ,  382. 

Red  Sea,  Lehi  arrives  at  borders  of,  4  ;  river  Laman  empties  into,  5  ; 
travel   in  borders  near,  49. 

Reign  of  Zedekiah,  2. 

Remnant  of  house  of  Israel  to  come  to  knowledge  of  true  Messiah, 
25,  44. 

Repentance,  commanded  of  the  Lord,  161  ;  gate  which  ye  should  enter, 
162,  189 ;  brings  forgiveness,  284 ;  Alma  teaches,  351  ;  Alma  and 
Amulek  preach,  360 ;  Alma  speaks  of,  452  :  none  without  punish- 
ment, 454  ;  Nephi  baptizes  to,  623  ;  and  baptism  commanded,  674. 

Restoration,  to  begin  among  all  nations,  159  ;  taught  by  Amulek,  342  ; 
explained  by   Alma,  450,  451. 

Resurrection,  fall  and  r.  by  transgression,  106  ;  power  of,  107  ;  spirit 
and  body  restored  to  itself,  107  ;  passes  upon  all  men,  108 :  signs 
of  Christ's  r.  to  be  given,  144  ;  knowledge  of,  176  ;  in  Christ,  189  ; 
first  and  second,  253,  255  ;  Amulek  teaches,  342  ;  taught  by  priests, 
361  ;  people  of  Ammon  hope  in,  405  ;  to  be  after  coming  of  Christ, 
447  ;  of  dead,  447  ;  condition  of  souls  between  death  and,  448,  449  ; 
of  Christ,  449  ;  of  dead,  atonement  brings,  454  ;  Lord  dieth  to  bring 
about,  592  ;  of  Christ,  testified  of,  619  ;  Moroni  teaches,  711. 

Revelations,  many  had,  167  ;  of  God  not  to  be  despised,  176. 


816  BOOK    OF    MORMON. 

Righteous,  words  of  the,  to  be  written,  146 ;  branch,  to  be  raised 
from  loins  of  Joseph  of  Egypt,  172. 

Riplakish,  son  of  Shez,  714  ;  reigns  in  stead  of  Shez,  had  many  wives 
and  concubines,  oppression  of,  killed,  740. 

Kiplah,   Moroni   conceals  a  part   of   army   near,   459. 

Kipliancum,    Coriantumr   flees   to   waters   of,   757. 

Roads,  built  from  city  to  city,  617  ;  spoiled,  624. 

Rock,  he  that  buildeth   upon,  155  ;   to  found  church  upon,  635. 

Rod  of  iron,  seen  in  Lehi's  vision,  21  ;  is  word  of  God,  28,  29. 

Sabbath,  Alma  commands  keeping  of  the,  260. 

Sacrament,  not  to  be  taken  unworthily,   713. 

Saints,  power  of  God  descends  upon,  41  ;  delivered  from  Devil,  108 ; 
those  who  slay  shall  perish,  144  ;  blood  of  s.  to  cry  from  ground,  153. 

Sam,  Nephi  speaks  to,  6  ;  brothers  angry  with,  9  ;  Lehi  speaks  to,  91  ; 
seed  of  to  be  blessed,  91  ;  flees  with  Nephi  into  wilderness,  95. 

Samuel,  Lamanite  prophet,  comes  to  Zarahemla,  586 ;  prophecy  of, 
587 ;  shot  at,  597 ;  flees  to  own  country  and  preaches,  598 ;  sign 
given  by,  fulfilled,  601  ;  Christ  commands  words  of  to  be  recorded, 
667;   words   of,   fulfilled,   689,   690. 

Sariah,  wife  of  Lehi,  4,  12  ;  complains  against  Lehi  and  is  comforted, 
14. 

Satan,  to  have  power  over  hearts  of  men,  160. 

Savior,  knowledge  of,  to  spread  to  every  nation,  218. 

Sealed  book,  to  come  forth,  149  ;  words  of,  to  be  read  upon  house- 
tops, 149  ;  words  of,  to  be  delivered  to  learned,  150 ;  learned  can 
read  not,  150  ;  things  to  be  brought  forth,  151  ;  many  shall  believe, 
158. 

Seantum,  brother  of  Seezoram,  576  ;  confesses  murder  of  chief  judge, 
577. 

Sebus,  waters  of,  366,  368,   375. 

Secret,  combinations,  devil  stirreth  up  children  to,  106 ;  founded  by 
devil,  147  ;  things  shall  be  revealed,  160  ;  works,  440  ;  combinations, 
judgments  of  God  upon,  441  ;  plans  to  be  kept  from  people,  441 ; 
plans  of  wickedness,  seek  to  destroy  Coriantumr,  751. 

Seed,  of  Nephi  and  brethren,  30,  44  ;  to  become  dark  and  loathsome 
people,  33  ;  of  Nephi  to  write  many  plain  and  precious  things,  37  ; 
of  Joseph  not  to  be  destroyed,  87  ;  of  Laman  not  to  perish,  91  ;  of 
Lemuel  not  to  be  destroyed,  91;  of  Sam  blessed,  91;  of  Lamanites 
to  be  cursed,  97 ;  of  Nephi  to  be  remembered,  156 ;  i-emnant  of, 
shall  know,  159 ;  of  Nephi  to  be  restored  to  knowledge  of  Jesus 
Christ,  159 ;  of  Lehi  shall  become  white  and  delightsome  people, 
159  ;  commandment  concerning  raising  up  of,  172  ;  of  Christ,  252  ; 
of  Lamanites  distinguished,  308  ;  of  Jared  and  his  brother  to  be  a 
great  nation,  716. 

Seeds,  gathered,  19  ;  taken  into  wilderness,  48  ;  taken  into  ship,  60 ; 
sown  in  land  of  promise,  63 ;  reaped  in  abundance,  95  ;  people  of 
ZenifE  plant  all  kinds  of,  235. 

Seer,  choice,  raised  up  of  the  fruit  of  the  loins  of  Joseph,  87 ; 
Ammon  speaks  of,  233  ;  possessor  of  stones  called,  291. 

Seezoram,  chief  judge,  who  was  slain,  575. 


INDEX.  817 

Senine  of  gold,  339. 

Senum  of  silver,  339. 

Seen  of  gold,  339. 

Setb,  Ahah  son  of,  714  ;  son  of  Shiblon,  714  ;  dwells  in  captivity,  744. 

Shared,  gives  battle  to  Coriantumr,  752  ;  beaten  by  sons  of  Coriantumr, 
752  ;  fights  with  Coriantumr,  flees  to  plains  of  Heshlon,  driven  back, 
beaten  and  slain,  wounds  Coriantumr,  753  ;  brother  of,  fights  Cori- 
antumr and  is  driven  to  Akish,  753  ;  brother  of,  goes  to  Moron  on 
throne  of  Coriantumr,  753. 

Shazer,   Lehi  pitches  tents  at,  49. 

Sheep,  other  sheep  not  of  this  fold,  644,  645  ;  are  known  and  num- 
bered, 653. 

Shelum,  stones  molten  out  of,  720. 

Shemlon,  spies  sent  around  about,  237  ;  tower  of  Noah  overlooks,  240  ; 
daughter  of,  Lamanites  gather  at,  264  ;  Amulon  appointed  teacher 
over  his  people  in,  276  ;  people  converted  in  land  of,  390. 

Shem,  leader  of  ten  thousand  Nephites,  702. 

Shem,  Noah  flees  to  city  of,  and  fortifles,  691. 

Shemnon,  one  of  twelve,  654. 

Shepherd,  to  manifest  himself  unto  Jews  and  Gentiles  over  all  the 
earth,  38. 

Sherem,  comes  among  Nephites,  preaches  there  shall  be  no  Christ, 
189 ;  comes  to  Jacob,  teaches  law  of  Moses,  smitten  of  God,  191  ; 
confesses  the  truth,  dies,  192. 

Sherrizah,  Lamanites  take  prisoners  from  tower  of,  772  ;  people  car- 
ried away   from,   772. 

Shez,  son  of  Heth,  714  ;  builds  up  a  broken  people,  a  righteous  king- 
dom, 739  ;  Shez,  son  of,  rebels  against,  739  ;  begets  Riplakish  and 
dies,   740. 

Shez,  son  of  Shez,  smitten  by  robbers,  739. 

Shiblom,  leader  of  ten  thousand  Nephites,   702. 

Shiblom,  son  of  Com,  714,  743  ;  brother  rebels  against,  743  ;  brother 
of  puts  prophets  to  death,  743  ;  reigns,  743  ;  famine  and  pestilence 
in   days   of,   744  ;   slain,   744. 

Shiblon  of  silver,  339. 

Shiblon,  son  of  Alma,  417  ;  commandment  of  Alma  to  son,  443  ;  faith- 
ful among  Zoramites,  443  ;  declares  word  of  God,  484  ;  takes  pos- 
session of  sacred  things,  540  ;  death  of,  541  ;  confers  sacred  things 
upon   Helaman,  son  of   Helaman,  541. 

Shiblum  of  silver,  339. 

Shilom,  Ammon  and  party  at,  227,  228;  city  of,  229;  land  of,  pos- 
sessed by  Zeniff,  235  ;  walls  of,  repaired,  235  ;  spies  come  to,  237  ; 
tower  of  Noah  overlooks,  240 ;  many  buildings  in,  240 ;  tower  on 
hill  north  of,  240 ;  people  of  Limhi  depart  in  wilderness  of,  272  ; 
Amulon  teacher  over  people  in,  276  ;  people   converted  in,  390. 

Shim,  Ammoron  deposits  sacred  engravings  in  hill  called,  687. 

Shim,  Omer  passed  by  hill,  735. 

Shimnilom,   people  converted  in  city  of,  390. 

Ship,  constructed  of,  commanded,  53  ;  completion  of,  60  ;  put  forth  in 
sea  and  driven  before  wind,  61  ;  arrives  at  promised  land,  63. 


818  BOOK    OF    MORMON. 

sliiz,  brother  of  Lib,  pursues  Coriantumr,  754  ;  three-day  battle,  755  ; 
repulsed  three  times,  wounds  Coriantumr,  756 ;  Coriantumr  writes 
epistle  to,  756  ;  people  of  Coriantumr  flee  from,  to  waters  of  Rip- 
liancum,  757 ;  beaten  by  Coriantumr,  757 ;  final  battle  with  Cori- 
antumr, 757  ;  gets  epistle  from  Coriantumr,  758  ;  killed  by  Corian- 
tumr, 759, 

Shule,  son  of  Kib,  715,  730  ;  becomes  mighty  in  judgment,  730  ;  makes 
steel  swords,  730 ;  battles  with  Corihor,  730 ;  restores  kingdom  to 
Kib,  730 ;  made  king  by  Kib,  730 ;  righteous,  730 ;  gives  Corihor 
power,  730  ;  given  battle  and  taken  captive  by  Noah,  730  ;  replaced 
on  throne  by  sons,  731  ;  people  of  prosperous,  731  ;  given  kingdom 
by  Nimrod,  731  ;  prophets  come  among  people  of,  731  ;  righteous, 
731  ;  Omer  son  of,  reigns,  732. 

Shum,  of  gold,  339. 

Shurr,  Coriantumr  in  valley  Of,   756. 

Sidom,  Alma  and  Amulek  depart  from  Ammonihah  to  land  of,  356 ; 
Zeezrom  and  those  cast  out  from  Ammonihah  found  at,  357  ;  Alma 
establishes  church  at,  358. 

Sidon  river,  Amlicites  slain  at,  304  ;  Nephites  defeat  allies  at,  305  ; 
dead  cast  into,  307 ;  many  baptized  at,  by  Alma,  310 ;  valley  of 
Gideon  east  of  river  of,  322  ;  Melek  west  of,  326  ;  Lamanites  march 
by  head  of,  458 ;  army  of  Moroni  secreted  near,  459 ;  Lamanites 
attacked  at,  460 ;  Lamanites  surrounded,  462 ;  Lamanite  dead  cast 
into,  465  ;   war  by   waters  of,   688. 

Sign  sought  by  Sherem,  191. 

Silver,  senum,  amnor,  ezrom,  onti,  shiblon,  shiblum,   339. 

Siron,  Corianton  goes  to,  445. 

Solomon,  Nephi  builds  temple  after  manner  of  temple  of,  96 :  and 
David,  168 ;  and  David  had  many  wives  and  concubines,  which  is 
an  abomination,  171. 

Son  of  righteousness  shall  heal,  145. 

Souls,  condition  of,  between  death  and  resurrection,  448 ;  of  wicked, 
state  of,  448. 

Southward  land,   388. 

Spirit  of  body,  restored,  107  ;  speaketh  truth,  177. 

Spirits  of  all  men  taken  home  to  God,  448. 

Spokesman  for  Moses,  89  ;  for  choice  seer,  89. 

Star,  new,  appears,  602. 

Stone,  brought  to  Mosiab,  202  ;  prepared  for  Gazelem,  440. 

Stones,  two  given  to  brother  of  Jared,  722  ;  sealed,  723. 

Stones,  used  by  Mosiah  in  translating,  291  ;  molten  by  brother  of 
.Tared,  720:  description  of,  720;  touched  by  finger  of  Lord,  721, 
726  ;  put  into  vessels,  give  light,  726. 

Storm,  great,  arises,  624. 

Substance,  people  of  church  to  Impart  of,  261,  301. 

Sword  of  Laban,  Nephi  slays  Laban  with,  11  ;  Nephi  makes  many 
swords  after  manner  of,  95 ;  Nephi  wields,  167 ;  Benjamin  fights 
with,  206  :  Benjamin  confers  on  Mosiah,  209. 

Teachers,  Jacob  and  Joseph  to  be  priests  and,  97  ;  to  labor  with  own 
hands,    260,    285;    consecrated    by    Alma,    311,    358;    consecrated    by 


INDEX.  819 

Aaron,  389 ;  appointed  by  Helaman  and  brother,  468 ;  manner  of 
ordaining,   761.      (See  under  Priests.) 

Teancum,  city  of,  Nephites  flee  to,  G95 ;  near  Desolation,  695  ;  La- 
manites  come  against,  696  ;  drive  Nephites  from,  697. 

Teancum,  leader  of  army  which  heads  people  of  Morianton,  489  ;  slays 
Morianton,  489 ;  meets  Lamanites,  493 ;  and  defeats  them,  494 ; 
kills  Amalickiah,  494  ;  ordered  to  secure  narrow  neck  of  land,  495  ; 
ordered  to  attack  Mulek,  497  ;  returns  to  city  Bountiful,  497  ;  holds 
council  with  Moroni  and  others,  497  ;  Lamanites  marched  against, 
497 ;  and  Lehi  given  command  of  part  of  army,  534  ;  forces  sent 
to,  535  ;  encamps  around  land  of  Moroni,  537  ;  slain,  538. 

Temple,  built  by  Nephi,  96;  Jacob  teaches  in,  168,  169;  people  of 
Zarahemla  gather  to,  209;  at  land  of  Nephi,  240;  in  Bountiful, 
Christ  appears  at,  631. 

Ten  commandments  quoted  by  Abinadi,  247. 

Teomner  secretes  himself  in  the  wilderness,  522. 

Three  disciples,  not  to  taste  of  death,  676;  Moroni  and  father  ad- 
ministered to  by,   705. 

Timber,  land  desolate  of,  549  ;  shipped  from  land  southward  to  land 
northward,  549. 

Time  measured  only  to  men,  448. 

Timothy,   brother  of  Nephi,  one  of  twelve,  654. 

Tithes  paid  by  Abraham,  350. 

Tower,  Noah  builds,  240  ;  Jared  came  from,  715. 

Treasure  hidden  up,  689, 

Tree,   Lehi's  vision  of,  20;   Nephi's  vision  of,  27;  is  love  of  God    28 

29  ;  of  life,  46,  47,  452. 

Tribes,  Nephites  divided  into,  620  ;  not  to  fight  among  themselves,  622  ; 

Christ  to  go  to  lost,  648  ;  twelve  t.  of  Israel  to  be  judged,  694. 
Tubaloth,  son  of  Ammoron,  king  of  Lamanites,  544. 
Twelve,   follow   Redeemer,   29;    apostles   of   the    Lamb   fought   against, 

30  ;  all  nations  fight  against  t.  apostles,  30  ;  ordained  of  God,  31  ; 
apostles  to  judge  tribes  of  Israel,  31  ;  twelve  ministers  to  be  judged 
by,  31  ;  book  goes  forth  from  t.  apostles,  35  ;  one  of  t.  apostles 
seen  by  Nephi,  41  ;  chosen,  635  ;  given  power  to  baptize,  635  ;  in- 
structions to,  640,  644,  650,  652,  658;  given  power  to  give  Holy 
Ghost,  653  ;  names  of,  654  ;  teach  multitude,  654  ;  baptized  by  Nephi, 
655  ;  Holy  Ghost  falls  upon,  655  ;  angels  minister  unto,  655  ;  pray| 
655  ;  told  to  write  scriptures,  667  ;  Christ  shows  himself  often  to, 
671  ;  commanded  to  judge,  675  ;  Christ  speaks  to,  675  ;  desires  of,' 
676;  promises  to,  676;  three  of  t.  not  to  taste  of  death,  676,  678; 
Christ  touches  all  save  three,  677  ;  three  (  ?)  caught  up  into  heaven, 
677  ;  preach  and  baptize,  677  ;  cast  into  and  delivered  from  prisons,' 
677  ;  cast  into  furnaces  and  dens  of  beasts,  678  ;  the  three  as  angels 
of  God,  678 ;  three  caught  up  into  heaven  and  changed,  679  ;  all 
die  except  three,  and  others  ordained  in  their  stead,  683  ;  cast  into 
fire,  685  ;  to  judge  people  in  this  land,  694  ;  in  Jerusalem  to  judge 
twelve  in  this  land,  695  ;  words  of  Christ  to,  760 ;  power  given  to 
give  Holy  Ghost,  760. 

Vineyards,    Noah   plants,   241. 


g20  BOOK    OF    MORMON. 

Virgin,   Nephi   sees   in   vision,   28 ;    mother   of    Son    of   God,   28 ;   bears 

child  in  arms,  28. 
Vision,  of  Lehi,  2,  3  ;  of  Nephi,  26. 

Voice  of  the  people,  271  ;  Aaron  chosen  king  by,  292  ;  judges  to  be 
judged  by,  295  ;  supreme,  303  ;  against  Amlici,  303  ;  to  enact  laws 
by,  312,  337  ;  obtain  concerning  Anti-Nephi-Lehies,  404  ;  contention 
concerning  law  settled  by,  490 ;  authorized  Moroni  to  go  against 
king  men,  492  ;  Pacumeni  unites  with,  543 ;  condemns  Paanchi  to 
death,  543 ;  laws  and  government  established  by,  555 ;  laws  given 
by,  620. 

Voice,  heard  by  all  people,  626,  629  ;  people  hear  v.  as  out  of  heaven, 
631. 

War,  multitudes  gather  to,  30,  32  ;  among  all  nations,  41  ;  and  con- 
tentions with  Lamanites,  98 ;  and  rumors  at  Jerusalem,  140 ;  and 
contentions  to  be,  144  ;  written  upon  larger  plates,  174  ;  Lamanites 
delight  in,  192  ;  caused  by  hatred  of  Lamanites,  193  ;  between  Ne- 
phites  and  Lamanites,  196,  198,  199 ;  equipment  of  Nephites  for, 
198  ;  among  people  of  Zarahemla,  201  ;  in  days  of  Benjamin,  202 ; 
in  land  of  Nephi,  235,  236  ;  between  Nephites  and  Amlicites,  304  ; 
and  contentions,  309  ;  cry  of  w.  in  the  land,  359  ;  between  Nephites 
and  Lamanites,  360;  weapons  of  w.  laid 'down,  390;  weapons  of 
w.  buried,  393 ;  of  Lamanites  against  Anti-Nephi-Lehies,  394 ;  La- 
manites throw  down  weapons  of,  394  ;  weapons  of  w.  buried,  396  ; 
account  of,  405,  406 ;  Lamanites  and  Zoramites  prepare  for,  433, 
(See  under  Lamanites,  Nephites,  and  Jaredites.) 

Waters,  divide  Gentiles  from  seed  of  Nephi,  34  ;  large  bodies  of,  488  ; 
land  of  many  rivers,  548. 

Whoredoms  an  abomination,   172. 

Wicked   to  perish,   144,   154,   159. 

Wife,  more  than  one  forbidden,  172,   173. 

Wilderness,  Nephi  and  brothers  hide  in  cavity  of  rock  in,  9  ;  La- 
manites and  Amlicites  driven  into,   306  ;   of  Hermounts,   307. 

Witnesses,  of  book,  three,  150  ;  testimony  of  two  nations,  157  ;  testi- 
mony of  three  w.  concerning  these  things,  726. 

Wives,  hearts  of,  broken,  172  ;  Lamanites  love  their,  173  ;  Noah  had 
many  w.  and  concubines,  many  prohibited,  172,  173  ;  and  concu- 
bines  of   King   Noah,   239. 

Women,  God  delights  in  chastity  of,   172. 

Wood,  Nephi  teaches  to  work  in,  96. 

Words  of  them  that  have  slumbered,  149. 

Workmanship  of  Nephites,  198. 

World,    redemption   of,   4. 

Years,  after  leaving  Jerusalem,  thirty,  97  ;  forty,  98  ;  fifty-five,  166  ;  one 
hundred  seventy-nine,  196  ;  two  hundred,  197  ;  two  hundred  thirty- 
eight,  199  ;  two  hundred  seventy-six,  199  ;  two  hundred  eighty-two, 
200 :  three  hundred  twenty,  200 ;  four  hundred  seventy-six,  226 ; 
five  hundred  nine  years  to  end  of  reign  of  kings,  298. 
five  hundred  nine  years  to  end  of  reign  of  kings,  298  ;  six  hundred, 
600  ;  pages  600,  603,  604  ;  six  hundred  and  nine,  004. 

Years  of  reign  of  judges,  pages  301,  303,  309,  310,  311,  312,  326,  335, 


INDEX.  821 

355,  358,  350,  360,  362,  406,  409,  433,  456,  465,  466,  468,  473,  478, 
48l',  484,  485,  486,  487,  489,  490,  491,  494,  496,  497,  503,  509,  525, 
535'  538  540,  541,  542,  544,  546,  548,  550,  551,  552,  553,  554,  561, 
562'  563^  565,  566,  579,  580,  581,  582,  583,  584,  586,  598,  599,  600  ; 
Years,'  after  sign,  nine,  604  ;  pages  605,  606,  609,  610,  612,  615,  617, 
618,  621,  622,  623,  624,  681,  682,  683,  684,  685,  686,  687,  689,  690, 
69l!  692*,  693^  695,  696,  697,  69b,  701,  705,  774. 
Years  Jaredite  history,  pages  718,  737,  740,  743. 

Zarahemla,   peace   in   land   of,   207;   people   of,   come   to   temple,   210; 
Benjamin  addresses  people  of,  210;  Mosiah  declared  king  over  peo- 
ple  of,   214 ;   land   of,   227 ;   Ammon   descendant   of,   227 ;   people   of 
Limhi' search   for   land,   232,   270;   people   of   Limhi  join   people   of, 
272  ;  Alma  and  people  arrive  in  land  of,  279  ;  land  and  people  of, 
201  ;  rejoices  concerning  plates  of  brass,  201  ;  people  of,  come  from 
Jerusalem,  201  ;  language  of  people  of,  corrupted,  201  ;  gives  gene- 
alogy   of    his    fathers,    202 ;    people    of,    unite    with    Mosiah,    202 ; 
Mosiah   made  king  over  land   of,   202  ;   people   discover   Coriantumr, 
202 ;   descendant   of   Mulock,    270 ;    people   of,    more   numerous    than 
Nephites,  people  of  numbered  with  Nephites,  280  ;  seven  churches  in, 
281  ;  people  of,  taught  by  sons  of  Mosiah,  289  ;  reign  of  the  judges 
commences  in,  297  ;  River  Sidon  runs  by,  304  ;  city  of,  305  ;  Alma 
delivers  word  of  Lord  in  land  and  city  of,  313  ;  church  established 
in   city   of,   321  ;    Alma   returns   to,    326 ;   Alma   and   Amulek   arrive 
at,   358 ;   sons   of   Mosiah   leave,   363 ;   divided   from   land   of   Nephi, 
387 ;   land   of   Desolation   discovered   by   people   of,    387  ;    Lamanites 
go   into   land   of,   395  ;   sons   of   Mosiah   return   to,   404 ;    Anti-christ 
preaches  in,  409  ;  Korihor  brought  to  Alma  at,  412  ;  Antionum,  east 
of  land  of,  416  ;  Alma  and  Ammon  and  brethren  return  to  land  of, 
433  ;  Alma  departs  from,  and  is  heard  from  no  more,  467  ;  prisoners 
from  Amalickiah  taken  to  land  of,  472  ;  servants  of  king  Lamanites 
flee  to,  476  ;  Moroni  causes  people  of  to  possess  east  wilderness  by 
seashore,  485  ;  prisoners  of  Lamanites  sent  to,  515  ;  Helaman  sends 
message    to,    520 ;    people    of    appoint    king   at,    532 ;    Helaman    and 
Moroni  return  to,  539  ;   Coriantumr  goes  against  Nephites  at,   544  ; 
Coriantumr  takes  city  of,  545  ;  Nephites  flee  from,  545  ;  Moronihah 
retakes,    546 ;    many    depart   from,    into    land    northward,    548 ;    La- 
manites  obtain   possession    of   land    of,    553;    Lamanites   exhort   Ne- 
phites   at,    561  ;    Nephi    returns    to,    566 ;    Nephites    gather    in    for 
safety,  609  ;  city  of,  takes  fire,  624,  626  ;  rebuilt,  682  ;  Mormon  car- 
ried to  land  of,  688  ;  war  in  borders  of,  near  waters  of  Sidon,  688  ; 
a  land  southward  called  by  Nephites,  738. 
Zedekiah,  one  of  the  twelve,  654. 
Zedekiah,  reign  of,  2  ;  king  of  Judah,  15. 

Zeezrom,  accuses  Alma  and  Amulek,  338  ;  questions  Amulek,  340  ;  con- 
founded by  words  of  Amulek,  343  ;  pleads  for  Alma  and  Amulek, 
353;  cast  out  by  people,  353;  sick  with  fever  at  Sidon,  357;  healed 
by  faith  through  administration  of  Alma,  357  ;  baptized  by  Alma  and 
begins  to  preach,  357  ;  goes  with  Alma  to  Zoramites,  417. 
Zeezrom,  city  of,  taken  by  Lamanites,  510. 


822  BOOK    OF    MORMON. 

Zemnariah,  leader  of  Gadiantons,  612 ;  attempts  to  withdraw  from 
siege,  surrounded  by  Nephites,  hanged,  613. 

Zenephi,  army   of,   773. 

Zeniflf,  who  came  from  Zarahemla,  227  ;  Laman  enters  into  treaty  with, 
229  ;  taught  in  language  of  Nephites,  234  ;  account  of  people  of,  234  ; 
posesses  land  of  Lehi-Nephi  and  Shilom,  235  ;  people  of,  till  the 
ground,  235  ;  people  of,  in  war  with  Lamanites,  236 ;  goes  up  to 
battle  against  Lamanites,  237  ;  people  of,  slay  Lamanites,  239  ;  con- 
fers kingdom  on  son  Noah,  239  ;  records  of,  read  by  Mosiah,  279. 

Zenock,  words  of,  65,   427,   428  ;  prophecies   of,   630. 

Zenos,  words  of,  65,  66,  177,  426,  428;  prophecies  of,  66,  630; 
prophecies  of,   to  come  to  pass,   188. 

Zerahemnah,  leader  of  Lamanites,  appoints  Amalekites  and  Zoramites 
chief  captains',  456 ;  army  of,  not  prepared  as  Nephites,  458 ;  in- 
spires army,  461  ;  addressed  by  and  surrenders  to  Moroni,  463 ; 
addressed  Moroni,  receives  weapons  from  Moroni,  463 ;  attacks 
Moroni,  smitten  by  "-oldier,  renews  battle,  464. 

Zeram,  sent  by  Alma  to  spy  on  Amlicites,  305. 

Zerin,  brother  of  Jared  commands  to  remove,  748. 

Zion,  seek  to  bring  forth,  37  ;  they  that  fight  against,  100  ;  welfare 
not  sought  by  priestcraft,  147  ;  laborer  in,  shall  labor  for,  148 ; 
nations  that  fight  against  her  shall  be  as  a  dream,  148  ;  woe  unto 
him  that  is  at  ease  in,  155  ;  to  be  established,  662. 

Zoram,  captain  of  Nephites,  359  ;  Lehi  and  Aha,  sons  of,  359  ;  march 
over  river  Sidon,  360  ;  drive  Lamanites,  360  ;  rescues  prisoners,  360. 

Zoram,  leader  of  Zoramites,  416  ;  Alma  and  brethren  separate  in  land 
of,  420. 

Zoram,  servant  of  Laban,  12  ;  accompanies  Nephi,  13  ;  takes  daughter 
of  Ishmael  to  wife,  48 ;  Lehi  speaks  to,  81  ;  flees  with  Nephi  into 
wilderness,  95. 

Zoramites,  led  by  Zoram,  416  ;  separation  from  Nephites,  416  ;  word 
of  God  preached  to,  417  ;  prayer  of,  418  ;  will  not  hearken  to  Alma 
and  Amulek,  432  ;  cast  out  those  who  believe  Alma  and  Amulek,  432  ; 
mix  with  Lamanites,  433,  456 ;  those  converted  driven  from  land, 
433 ;  Shiblon  faithful  among,  443 ;  Antionum,  land  of,  456 ;  ap- 
pointed chief  captains  of  Lamanites,  456,  478  ;  a  people  called,  685. 

Zoramite,  Jacob  a,  497. 


BP823.1917 

The  book  of  Mormon 


Princeton  Theological  Seminary-Speer  Library 


1    1012  00036  9381 


